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.
Inspiration and Understanding into the World of Herbal Health
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Basics of Preparedness
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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
Wednesday, February 16, 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.
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
Tuesday, February 1, 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.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Disease Begins in the Gut
All Disease begins in the Gut
Gut and Psychology Syndrome
I feel at times the world is spinning hopelessly out of control. I wish we could make everyone and everything stop so we could take a few deep breaths and reason together. Can’t we see that we are poisoning our earth and with it those we love. There are too many casualties in too many battles. We are repeatedly told that technology is advancement. We are able to dissect the genome and gaze at infinitesimal molecules, but as leaders (the USA) in the technological world we have one of the poorer records for health. Research from the United States indicates that over the past 20 years childhood diseases and disorders have skyrocketed with Allergies up 700%, ADHD up 500%, Asthma up 300% and Autism up 1500%! Ten years ago 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed as autistic. Today 1 in between 120 and 1 in 250 (depending on the study and region looked at) children are diagnosed with autism. In California there has been a 10-fold increase in newly diagnosed cases in the last 10 years and the trend is rising. It is estimated that today in California rates of autism are increasing by 1 child every 3 hours. About 10% of the children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD/ADD or learning disabled. As these children move from childhood to adulthood they are more prone to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, depression or other mental illness.
This rising trend is not simply because we are better at diagnosing or we have broadened the parameters of these conditions to include more children. As I see it, we have a full-blown crisis on our hands and the tools that have created the problem are not likely to be the ones that fix it. Yet this is where the lions share of all research dollars are being spent in our country namely pharmaceutical cures. Let me offer another solution or scenario that may help explain what is going on and how we may turn many of these conditions around giving children a normal healthy life.
It is the current thought among researchers and doctors who are not being funded or manipulated by the pharmaceutical or chemical industries that repeated exposures to unnatural drugs and toxins are poisoning and damaging our bodies. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, cautioned (back before drugs ruled the day) that, “ALL Disease begins in the Gut”. Could the words of a wizened sage still hold true today. Let’s unfold what some of the current research is revealing.
It has been found that bottle fed babies develop a completely different and less healthy gut flora than breast fed babies. The compromised gut flora in a bottle-fed baby later on predisposes her to many health problems. Having acquired a weakened gut flora from the start, the typical modern mom had quite a few courses of antibiotics in her childhood and youth for various infections, earaches or acne. It is a well-known fact that antibiotics have a serious damaging effect on the gut flora, because they wipe out the beneficial strains of bacteria in the gut as well as the harmful ones.
Many modern moms had been on birth control pills for many years before getting pregnant. Birth control pills have a devastating effect on the beneficial (good) bacteria in the gut. One of the major functions of the good bacteria in the gut flora is controlling and managing over 500 different species of pathogenic (bad) and opportunistic microbes. When the good bacteria are destroyed the opportunistic microbes multiply in large colonies and occupy large areas of the digestive tract. A modern diet of processed and fast foods provides the perfect nourishment for these colonies of bad microbes. As a result of all these factors, a modern mom has a serious compromised gut flora by the time she is ready to have children.
Why are we talking about the mother gut flora? Because her baby is born with a sterile gut. In the first 20 days or so after the birth of the child, the baby’s sterile gut surface gets populated by a mixture of microbes, which comes from the mother. So whatever microbial flora the mother has, she will pass to her newborn child.
If the child does not acquire a normal balanced gut flora, then the child will not digest and absorb foods properly, developing multiple nutritional deficiencies. Malnourished patients demonstrate learning disabilities, psychiatric problems and allergies. The properly balanced gut flora actively synthesizes various nutrients such as vitamin K and many of the B-vitamins. Clinical experience shows that the best way to treat these deficiencies is to restore the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Remember, there must be a symbiotic balance of the good as well as the bad microbes in the gut. You must supply the good as the bad microbes are ever present.
In addition to nourishing the body, the beneficial bacteria in the gut act as the housekeepers of the digestive tract. They coat the entire surface of the gut protecting it from invaders and toxins by providing a natural barrier and producing a lot of anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal substances. It is no surprise that when the gut flora is out of balance, digestion cannot be healthy. Again, there is a direct connection between digestive problems and learning disabilities, psychiatric disorders, allergies and a weakened immune system.
If a baby does not acquire appropriate gut flora, then the baby is left with a compromised or weakened immune system. The result is a history of infections followed by courses of antibiotics, which damage the child’s gut flora and immune system even further. Infections such as ear infections, chest infections, fevers, sore throats and skin rashes are common. Many children that I see in my practice have had antibiotic therapy 4 and 5 times per year for several years. Vaccinations given to a child with a compromised immune system can further weaken the immune system and provide a source of chronic persistent viral infections and autoimmune problems in children.
So the modern child, who we are talking about, did not get normal gut flora from the start and then damaged it further with repeated courses of antibiotics and vaccinations. Is it any surprise that digestive problems, allergies, asthma, eczema, and a variety of neurological and psychological disorders are so common today. I think it is inaccurate to look for a single causative factor for these conditions, when in fact; there appears to be a multiplicity of causes that have culminated into the epidemic we now face.
The average adult has about 4 pounds of bacteria in the gut. In fact the number of microbial cells in the gut outnumber the number of cells in your entire body. Good microbes aid in the digestion of food. They synthesize various nutrients, they protect the gut from toxins and pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi that can affect brain function and they support production of different immune supporting cells. Without control of the beneficial bacteria, the person’s digestive system instead of being a source of nourishment becomes a major source of toxicity in the body.
Powerful neurotoxins created from yeast such as Candida and Clostridia can get absorbed through the damaged gut lining and then cross the blood-brain barrier affecting the patients mental functioning. Broad-spectrum antibiotics do not touch them while killing the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which are supposed to control and manage the yeasts and clostridia. So after a course of antibiotics these two pathogenic groups get even more out of control and grow stronger. Clostridia overgrowth in the gut has also been associated with obesity. Which may explain why it can be so difficult for some to lose weight.
Because of these imbalances in normal gut flora, children and adults as well are unable to properly breakdown and digest some common foods. Poor digestive health is also behind the growing trend towards gluten and dairy-free diets. Many have learned simply by listening to their bodies that they do not do very well if they eat grains or dairy. When the gut flora is out of balance, large proteins such as gluten and casein are difficult to breakdown and digest. Gluten is a protein present in grains, mainly wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is a milk protein present in milk products of all animals. In gut dysbiosis (which literally means a bad condition of life), these proteins do not have a chance to be digested properly before they get absorbed into the blood stream. They are absorbed into the bloodstream in a form with a similar chemical structure to opiates, like morphine and heroin. These substances called gluteomorphin and casomorphin get through the blood-brain-barrier and block certain areas of the brain just like morphine or heroin would do, causing various neurological and psychological symptoms. These substances, gluteomorphin and casomorphin, are routinely found in the urine of patients with schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, depression as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia (poor coordination), schizophrenia and many other learning and mental problems are not incurable. There are hundred of documented cases of recovery from autism, ADHD/ADD and schizophrenia when the child was given the right treatment. Again, the solution many parents are finding is not as simple as taking a new drug or a super supplement. There often must be a comprehensive approach. But while there will be some effort and inconvenience involved, the benefits can be transforming and life-giving.
Dr. Kenneth Bock, a New York-based physician and author of Healing The New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Allergies & Asthma explains; “we are in the midst of a group of new childhood epidemics, which are directly related to industrialism, and to its associated pollution, environmental degradation, and toxicity.” Included in the list of offenders are pollutants as well as chemicals in foods that the body is not able to metabolize. An overload of toxins leads to chemical stress in the body that in turns creates chronic inflammation in the lungs (asthma), in the immune system (allergies), in the brain (attention deficit), and in the skin (eczema). There appears to be a direct correlation relating specific digestive disorders to conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder.
A comprehensive treatment approach focuses on treating each individual on the cellular level, ensuring that each cell has proper nutrition and is not over-burdened by toxins. By repairing the digestive tract, adopting the right diet, taking nutritional supplements and detoxifying, the cells become more effective at supporting all organ and body systems.
Again the father of medicine, Hippocrates, cautioned, “ALL Diseases begin in the Gut”. For this reason, it is important that we work to restore digestive health rather than just treating symptoms. Medication protocols focus primarily on modifying symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes. Re-establishing normal gut flora can address a myriad of health issues. The treatment described in Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s book Gut and Psychology syndrome is not drug based. Her treatment is a natural nutritional approach, which changes the child’s diet, supplementation and lifestyle.
A major part of recovery is modifying the diet to eliminate or reduce dietary stress. The appropriate diet is key to allowing the digestive tract to heal and allow for the re-establishment of the good bacteria. One of the great challenges for introducing any diet into a child’s life is the fact that the majority of children with learning disabilities are extremely ‘picky’ eaters. Part of their problem is that their diet is limited to a handful of foods, which only perpetuates their biochemical and physiological abnormalities.
The rapid industrialization of food, medication, communication and lifestyle has challenged our bodies, which have not been able to adapt as quickly. A focus on nutrition, non-toxic home and personal care products and a low stress lifestyle can facilitate the healing and recovery of those affected with GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) as Dr. Campbell-McBride has coined it. We all need clean air, clear water, clean soil, wholesome food and fun.
The GAPS children and adults can present with symptoms of autism, ADHA, ADD, OCD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, allergies, asthma and eczema in any possible combination. Any child or adult with a learning disability, neurological or psychological problems and allergies should be thoroughly examined for gut dysbiosis. Re-establishing normal gut flora and treating the digestive system of the person should be the number one treatment for these disorders, before considering treatment with drugs or otherwise.
Please take a moment to evaluate yourself and your children for any symptoms of gut dysbiosis. Constipation (less than 2 to 3 bowel movements daily), diarrhea, eczema, asthma, allergies, indigestion, excessive gas or burping, tummy aches or pains.
Often the first step is to eliminate foods that are potentially risky. Eliminating gluten and milk products, which may seem dramatic or difficult can be easily done with a little planning. Most large grocery stores have a gluten-free section. Use rice or almond milk instead of cow, goat or soymilk. Avoid foods with chemical additives or preservatives. Eat foods that are abundant in good bacteria such as sauerkraut (homemade or in the refrigerated section of the health food store). I have found that even you picky eaters can develop a taste of mildly fermented vegetables. A good probiotic supplement is recommended. Digestive enzymes can also be beneficial.
Remember, symptoms are the body’s way to letting you know something is wrong. Please take stock of your current level of health and of those you love. I urge you to take pen to paper and draft a plan. As you know, a goal not written, is only a wish. Getting healthy can be as simple as putting the good things into the body and removing the bad. Nourish and detoxify. To that end, we can assist you.
For more information, treatment recommendation, protocols and recipes contact us at Western Botanicals.
With Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Kyle D. Christensen, DC, ND, MH
Reprint of an Article by Kyle D. Christensen, DC, ND, MH, Western Botanicals, Inc. 2007
Sluggish Thyroid? A Hidden Epidemic
One of the primary functions of the thyroid gland is for controlling our metabolism (how fast we burn calories) and thus our body weight. But the thyroid also has a strong influence on conditions such as depression, heart disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menopausal symptoms, muscle and joint pains, irritable bowel syndrome, or autoimmune diseases. Any of these conditions could indicate a problem with your thyroid.
The classic signs of a sluggish thyroid gland include weight gain, lethargy, poor quality hair and nails, hair loss, dry skin, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and constipation. However, some of the conditions that are not often associated with your thyroid include: High cholesterol, Irregular menstruation, Low sex drive, Infertility, Gum disease, Swelling and Fluid retention, and Skin conditions such as Acne and Eczema. Many people with low thyroid function, called hypothyroidism, are never diagnosed. And many of those who are diagnosed, are inadequately treated, resulting in partial recovery at best.
Hypothyroidism: The Hidden Epidemic
Hypothyroidism simply means you have a sluggish or underactive thyroid, which is producing less than adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. “Sub-clinical” hypothyroidism means you have none of the obvious symptoms and only slightly abnormal lab tests. Thyroid problems have become quite common because it is caused by the same lifestyle factors that also contribute to conditions such as obesity, cancer and diabetes. These factors include poor dietary choice (primarily the overconsumption of sugar), eating processed chemical laden foods, stress, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, and lack of exercise.
It is estimated that perhaps 10 percent of the general population in the United States, and 20 percent of women over the age of 60, have sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Becoming aware of symptoms and home checks can give you a good indication of how your thyroid may be function. Identifying hypothyroidism and its cause is tricky business. Many of the symptoms overlap with other disorders, and many are vague. A simple home check can be done by taking your temperature each morning for 3 days before you get out of bed and moving around. If it is less than 97.6 degrees F, hypothyroidism may be an issue for you.
Sometimes people with hypothyroidism have significant fatigue or sluggishness, especially in the morning. You may have hoarseness for no apparent reason. Often hypothyroid people are slow to warm up, even in a sauna, and don’t sweat with mild exercise. Low mood and depression are common. Sluggish bowels and constipation are often a major issue, especially if you already get adequate water and fiber. Another interesting sign is thinning of the upper outer third of your eyebrows.
Chronic recurrent infections are also seen because thyroid function is important for your immune system. Family history is another important factor to look in to. Do you have close relatives with thyroid issues?
Building a Healthier Thyroid
Your lifestyle choices dictate, to a great degree, how well your thyroid will function and heal. Building a healthy thyroid gland requires little more than building a healthy life. By making some fundamental changes improvements can be noticed quickly and can be lasting
Diet
Garbage In, Garbage Out is the old saying of reaping what you sow. If you expect to have a smooth running engine, you must provide it with quality fuel. It is important that you eliminate junk food, processed food, artificial sweeteners, trans and hydrogenated fats and oils, and anything with chemical ingredients. Eat whole, unprocessed foods, and choose as many organics as possible. In addition, foods and supplements can provide good balanced sources of iodine and other nutrients are important for your health and recovery.
• Eat plenty of sea vegetables such as seaweed, which are rich in minerals and iodine (hijiki, wakame, arame, dulse, nori, and kombu). This is probably the most ideal form of iodine supplementation as it is also loaded with many other beneficial nutrients.
• Thyroid Formula from Western Botanicals is a great source the iodine-rich seaweeds. Truth be told not many of us will be eating seaweed on a daily or significant basis, so take the supplement.
• Eat Brazil nuts, which are rich in selenium and will help the thyroid gland.
• Get plenty of sunlight to optimize your vitamin D levels; if you live where sunlight is limited, use vitamin D3 supplementation.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin A, such as dandelion greens, carrots, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, and sweet potatoes.
• Make sure you are eating enough omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, flax seeds and walnuts are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Very good sources include scallops, cauliflower, cabbage, cloves and mustard seeds, halibut, shrimp, cod, tuna, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts.
• Coconut oil is one of the best foods you can eat for your thyroid. Coconut oil is a saturated fat comprised of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Coconut oil is very stable (shelf life of 3 to 5 years at room temperature), so your body is much less burdened with oxidative stress than it is from many other vegetable oils. And coconut oil does not interfere with T4 to T3 conversion the way other oils can. Avoid processed oils, such as canola, corn, safflower, etc.
• Use pure, organic coconut oil in your cooking – it’s great for stir-frying and sautéing many different meats and vegetables. Use oil olive for salad dressings and coconut oil for cooking and baking.
A good diet allows us to put the good nutrients into our bodies and allows us to expel the wastes and toxins that we need to get out of our body.
• Taking a greens supplement such as Western Botanicals’ Earth’s Nutrition or Bountiful Blend will nourish the whole body and quickly and noticeably strengthen hair and nails, which are often a problem with low thyroid function.
• Liver Detox Tea and Liver Gallbladder Formula from Western Botanicals will cleanse toxicity from within the cells of your body speeding the healing and increasing your energy.
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Prolonged digestive distress can lead to what is called a leaky gut syndrome. This can results in food sensitivities because food particles are absorbed into the bloodstream before they can be adequately digested and broken down. Chronic inflammation throughout the body caused by gluten and food sensitivities can contribute to thyroid dysfunction. A regimen of probiotics (the good bacteria) can help to heal a leaky gut. Take probiotics in capsules, sauerkraut (homemade or from the refrigerated section of the health food store – not processed or pasteurized), yogurt, kefir, and sourdough bread if you tolerate wheat/gluten.
Soy
Another food that is bad for your thyroid are most products made with soy. Soy is NOT the health food the agricultural and food companies would have you believe. Soy is high in isoflavones (or goitrogens), which are damaging to your thyroid gland. Thousands of studies now link soy foods to malnutrition, digestive stress, immune system weakness, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders, infertility and a host of other problems – in addition to damaging your thyroid. The exception in the soy family would be properly fermented organic soy products such as soy sauce, natto, miso, and tempeh are fine – it’s the unfermented soy products that you should stay away from.
Sugar
The biggest offender to our health and the thyroid gland is SUGAR – namely corn syrup, which is in most processed foods. Sugar is a stimulant that puts stress on the thyroid gland. High-Fructose Corn Syrup wrecks havoc on your metabolism and must be avoided. Avoid all other artificial sweeteners as well as any other chemical additives to foods. You must be eating whole natural foods!
Iodine
Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormone. In fact, the names of the different forms of thyroid hormone reflect the number of iodine molecules attached – T4 has four attached iodine molecules, and T3 has three – showing what an important part iodine plays in thyroid biochemistry. Most Americans don’t get enough iodine in their diets (which is why iodine is sometimes added to table salt – however I recommend using sea salt, which also contains iodine as well as the other minerals). Consider taking a good herbal supplement high in iodine rich seaweeds such a Western Botanicals Thyroid Formula.
Chlorine, fluorine and bromine are also culprits in thyroid function, and since they are halides like iodine, they compete for your iodine receptors. Be wary of plastics, pesticides, hot tub treatments, fire retardants, some flours and bakery goods, and even some soft drinks. Drink and bathe with filtered water if at all possible.
Stress and Adrenal Function
Stress is one of the worst thyroid offenders. Your thyroid function is intimately tied to your adrenal function, which is intimately affected by how you handle stress. Many of us are under chronic stress, which results in increased adrenalin and cortisol levels, and elevated cortisol has a negative impact on thyroid function. When stress becomes chronic, the flood of stress chemicals (adrenalin and cortisol) produced by your adrenal glands interferes with thyroid hormones and can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unstable blood sugar, and more.
A prolonged stress response can lead to adrenal exhaustion (also known as adrenal fatigue), which is often found alongside thyroid disease. See Dr. Christensen’s previous article on Adrenal Fatigue entitled; Tired of Being Tired.
Environmental toxins also place additional stress on your body. Pollutants such as petrochemicals, organochlorines, pesticides and chemical food additives negatively affect thyroid function.
Exercise
One of the best de-stressors is exercise, which is why it is so beneficial for your thyroid. Exercise directly stimulates your thyroid gland to secrete more thyroid hormone. Exercise also increases the sensitivity of all your tissues to thyroid hormone. It is even thought that many of the health benefits of exercise stem directly from improved thyroid function. Even something as simple as a 30-minute walk is a great form of exercise. Don’t forget to add strength training to your exercise routine, because increasing your muscle mass helps raise your metabolic rate.
Exercise, exercise, exercise!
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital. Make getting enough sleep a priority. Inadequate sleep contributes to stress and prevents your body from regenerating fully. Read up on better sleeping strategies.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement
Most people who need or have been taking thyroid medication have been told that they will need to be on this thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of their lives. This is only true if your thyroid gland has been irradiated and effectively killed so that it will not be able to be healed. It is always best to get your thyroid working again by treating the underlying causes, as opposed to taking an external source of thyroid hormone.
If it is necessary for you to take thyroid medication, you may want to talk to your doctor about using a natural thyroid product, like Armour Thyroid. The medication Armour is a combination of T4, T3 and T2 made from desiccated, or dried, porcine(pig) thyroid. Many improvements have been made in the product, making it a safe and effective option for treating hypothyroidism today. In fact, a study done ten years ago clearly demonstrated that patients with hypothyroidism showed greater improvements in mood and brain function if they received treatment with Armour Thyroid than if they received the common thyroid replacement hormone drug Synthroid (synthetic thyroid).
Final Thoughts
A thyroid problem is not unlike any other chronic illness – you must address the underlying issues if you hope to correct the problem. If you approach it from a comprehensive, holistic perspective, you will find in time that all of the little steps you take will ultimately result in your feeling much better than you could have ever imagined. As you follow these recommendations, not only will your energy and stamina improve but so will your health. By following these recommendations you will also build health and vitality whether you have a thyroid issue or not. But give it time, we are all in this for the long haul and you should expect a couple of years to fully turn this situation around.
Blessings,
Dr. Kyle Christensen
Western Botanicals, Inc.
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