The following are articles written by Christine Andrew and are available for your reading, growth, and knowledge.  All rights reserved.  No duplication in any form is permitted.

Milk: It Doesn’t Do A Body Good

Help! Am I Methylating?

Hormones:: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

ABC Health and Nutrition Tips For The Holidays

Is Gallbladder Surgery the Answer?

Functional Medicine:  Getting to the Root
By: Christine Andrew, CNC

The Health Risks of Soda and the New Energy Drinks
by: Christine Andrew, CNC

The “Standard American Diet” (S.A.D.) which is quite SAD, is a term, specifically used to label what some say is the standard diet of Ameri- cans. This includes fast food, processed food and sodas. Soda did not exist until about 60 years ago. Recently Coca-Cola has set itself the goal
of raising consumption of its products in the United States by at least 25 percent a year, and because the adult market is stagnant, selling more soda to kids has become one of the easiest ways to meet sales projec- tions, says Eric Schlosser of Fast Food Nation. Sodas contain sugar and caffeine. Twenty years ago, teenage boys in
the United States drank twice as much milk as soda; now they drink twice as much soda as milk. Although most school districts have cut out selling sodas, accord- ing to Schlosser, at least twenty school districts in the United States have their own Subway fran- chises, fifteen hundred districts have Subway delivery contracts and forty-five hundred dis- tricts sell Taco Bell prod- ucts. These practices proliferate the Standard American Diet and con- sumption of sodas.
Energy drinks are the worst invention of the 21st century next to cell
phones. Their popularity is exclusive to the United States and have been popular since 1977 with the debut of Red Bull. France banned Red Bull after an 18-year-old athlete died from drinking four cans. Since Red Bull’s debut, more than 500 drinks have been launched in since 2006. This amount to 5.7 billion dollars in profits for the industry,
as disclosed by Brenda Malinauskas. These drinks were manufactured for a generation that recently has become sleep deprived, energy deprived and addicted to sugar. For generations before the invention of soda or energy drinks, we were not a nation that depended on a beverage to keep us going or to keep us awake.
Why are energy drinks so detrimental to the body? They contain massive amounts of sugar: some up to 102 grams. They also contain stimulants such as caffeine (as much as 80-150 mg. per serving), ginseng and taurine that give the consumer jolts of energy and high amounts of carbohy- drates. Even though these are stimulants, they have been known to cause insomnia, high blood pressure, rapid heart beat, difficulty breathing, seizures, anxiety and heart pal- pitations. The surgary taste and the boost of energy can be very addictive (www.myadrenalfatigue.com/energydrinks). Because the drinks contain caffeine, they are diuretics and cause loss of fluids. If a person isn’t getting the recom- mended water intake and substitutes fluids with Monster or Red Bull, or others, they are at high risk of dehydration. Fatigue is one sign the body does not have enough water intake.
With up to 30g of sugar, the fallout of this is that it
will cause energy levels to crash once the sugar leaves the bloodstream. This sugar rush is short lived, so the consum- er is soon feeling more fatigued than they were to begin with. To stay energized another drink is consumed to stay awake or alert and the cycle of addiction continues. Might the answer to the fatigue for someone addicted to energy drinks be to drink more water to stay awake? If not, the cycle of fatigue and energy drink could continue until one day they crash and can’t figure out why this happened
Malinauskas states that caffeine is the main ingredient in these drinks that gives energy. However, the amount of caffeine is three times that as one cup of coffee. Caffeine can lead to diseases such as osteoporosis, insomnia and ul- cers according to Malinawskas. Guarana is one ingredient that contains caffeine. One gram of guarana equals 40 mg of caffeine and may increase the total caffeine in the drink, warns Karrie Heneman, PhD. Some side effects noted in Heneman’s studies include nervousness, irritability, sleep- lessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms, decreased bone levels and stomach upset.

Our bodies were created to produce energy from cel- lular respiration, foods, water and air. The adrenals are responsible for the “fight” or “flight” reactions to stress. The energy drinks, due to the stimulants, cause a response from the adrenals. If the body is already under a great amount of stress from work load, homework, relation- ships, etc., which already tax a person’s adrenals, and another stressor is added of energy drinks, the conse- quence is adrenal burnout. Adrenals are needed for blood sugar regulation, metabolism, sex hormone regulation, and brain function—to name a few. So, besides adrenal burnout, the body is placed at risk of a domino effect with other organs or systems failing.
Although marketing of these drinks claims benefits to improve endurance, enhance immune system, im- prove memory, promote excretion of toxins, weight loss, decrease triglycerides, suppress appetites, lower risk of diabetes (What? With 30g of sugar per serving, how can that possibly lower risk of diabetes?) and improve sexual performance, the scientific evidence does not exist to support most of these claims, says Dr. Heneman. And, the benefits just simply do not outweigh the health risks or justify the continued use of the products. Remember,
marketing is for the industry’s profits, not our health. Very deceptive.
Our bodies were not created to handle such high doses of these ingredients. At some point a person will experi- ence a consequence. I know personally of one teenager who over-consumed some energy drinks to stay awake for final exams and ended up hospitalized for serious dehydration. The doctors told her she was lucky to still be alive. Instead of going to bed at a reasonable time that our bodies require, consumers are sabotaging their sleep and their adrenals, and then end up becoming dependent on a stimulant to keep their bodies awake.
What does this say about our state of health that we can no longer depend on our adrenals and brain function to keep us awake? This is truly sad. Good pure water with cit- rus juice is a great alternative, and our brains and adrenals will function far better on this drink.

Debunked Nutrition Fads – Part One
By: Christine Andrew, CNC

I recently read a blog discussing nutrition fads that have cropped up recently. While some of it was valid, I am passing on information that I believe is more sound advice. Every person is unique, each with a different metabolism and health challenge. One size never fits all. Often our health problems persist because we are willing to change one thing but not many things. Rather than adjusting the elements of our lifestyle that require change and thereby bringing everything back into balance, we want to focus on only one, often irrelevant area in hopes that everything else will magically
change. However, the body works in concert. In order to be in balance, we need to seek balanced lifestyle and nutrition habits and not rely on trends and fads. As Americans, we tend to seek quick fixes. In doing so, we listen and follow anything said in the media, on blogs, by friends or through other healthcare workers. Among some of the misguided health advices are statements such as, “This one food is bad for you.” “Try this diet pill; it worked for me.” “If you make this one simple change, all of your health problems will go away.”
Claims about nutrition are constantly changing, evidenced by the passing fads we’ve all seen come and go over the years. For instance, there was the Atkins diet, which fizzled out after time. We’ve heard, “Eggs are bad for you,” then, “Eggs are good for you.” Then there was, “Margarine is healthy for you,” replaced by, “Now butter is better.” A few other fads are below that I would like to clear up for the record.
“Protein Shakes are the way to lose weight.” First of all, there are a vast number of reasons for why people gain weight. Overeating is only one. Drinking one to two shakes a day and a sensible dinner is cutting down one’s caloric intake, but this can be accomplished using food without any shakes. Second, to say that consuming protein shakes alone will lose weight is deceiving and touts a “one size fits all” mentality. Other reasons why protein shakes, in general, are not the answer to weight loss are the following:
● Protein shakes usually come from processed sources of protein unless it is a living source protein. The high heat processing can destroy the macro peptides necessary for function in the body. Some of these functions are neurotransmitters and hormones. We need these hormones to keep our weight stable.
● Isolates, common in many whey protein powders, can contain pesticides, GMO or hormones. These isolates come from many sources, so purity and integrity is negligible. Pesticides and GMO can contribute to weight gain due to the inflammation associated
with consumption of these compounds.
● Most of the powder on the market is packed with artificial sweeteners and fillers. These can be in the form of corn syrup, enriched flour, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, preservatives (sodium benzoate, BHA), artificial colors and flavors. Many of the containers themselves are not BPA free. Artificial ingredients contribute to inflammation and weight gain.
● They can spike blood sugar. Whey protein can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, especially if there is no fiber included. Other sugars to look for are sucralose, splenda, dextrin, maltodextrin, and corn syrup.
● Many lack nutrients. Being fit and healthy isn’t just about the macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs), it’s about the micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc.) too. Even these can be artificial.
● They can be an unnecessary expense. Many bodybuilders of old never used protein powders because it wasn’t even available. They were still able to build great physiques. Steak and eggs, and meat and potatoes were staples in their diets. Those meals provided them with protein, healthy fats, low-glycemic carbs, and nutrients needed to build the muscle they wanted and yet they maintained their weight.1
The above being said, according to Byron Richards, a quality protein source can help a person build muscle, improve fitness, boost immunity and enhance insulin and leptin function. Richards continues, “While these properties don’t directly affect weight loss, they all contribute to proper weight management.”2 And, while protein doesn’t directly trigger weight loss, along with healthy fats and fiber, it provides several properties that make weight loss easier and healthier.3 The take-home point here is to know your source of protein powder.
“Soy is a healthy protein.” Soy has been touted as healthy because studies done in Asia showed that women had low rates of breast cancer due to the phytoestrogen compounds, so now marketers are putting soy in everything. Soy, however, is actually not as healthy as marketers claim it to be. First, Asians have not been using soy for thousands of years. Only since 200 B.C. have they been using the fermented soy in their diet.4 Second, the soy industry has “Americanized” soy by processing and inserting it in everything from protein shakes, bars, cereals, sausage, processed meats, burgers and numerous other foods, leaving Americans with over consumption of soy. The consequence is estrogen dominance. Worse, it now has become the number one genetically modified food in America. Even organic soy is not without warning. Soy, as well as many other healthy foods, contains what are called “anti-nutrients.” These compounds are there naturally for a purpose and that is to block seeds from
sprouting prematurely and to harm predators from eating too much of the product. Some of these anti- nutrients are lectins, oligosaccharides, oxalates, phytates and saponins.
● Lectins are in beans and wheat as well and cause red blood cells to clump together and may induce immune system reactions.
● Oligosaccharides are sugars that may cause bloating and gas
● Oxalates are found in many foods including kale and spinach that prevent proper absorption of
minerals such as calcium and have been linked to kidney stones.5
● Phytates impair absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium.
● Saponins have some health benefits, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal. It may lower
cholesterol by binding with bile, but also may damage the intestinal lining by producing increased permeability. Saponins found in soy do not seem to exert the same harmful effects. 6
So, what is healthy about soy? Edamame, tofu and other fermented soy products such as Miso and Natto are healthy options. These have higher ascorbic acid and beta-carotene content and lower antinutrient contents. Proper preparation of any bean product also lessens the anti-nutrient content as well.4
“Everyone should go gluten-free.” Everyone is trying to go “gluten-free” these days or are touting to go “Paleo.” Almost everywhere you read people are advocating avoiding all wheat products, regardless of whether you are wheat sensitive/intolerant or not. It’s true that wheat produced today is not the same wheat that our ancestors ate, as I describe in my book, Food Isn’t What It Used to Be.7 It’s also true that a significant and growing percentage of the population are intolerant or sensitive to wheat gluten. However, one disconcerting aspect of ‘prescribing’ a gluten-free diet for folks who do not need it for health reasons is that these people do not take the diet seriously! Thinking that it doesn’t matter to their health, these people choose to “cheat.” Those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance cannot ever cheat. They cannot have just a little or take an enzyme to counteract the inflammation.
The other disconcerting matter regarding a gluten-free diet is that people tend to substitute wheat with corn and other non-gluten grains and highly processed flours. A recent study discovered two new corn gluten proteins that led to an immune reaction. Quinoa may not be an acceptable alternative, either. Quinoa has been found to have “gluten-like” storage proteins that can mimic the proteins similar to that in wheat, barley and rye.
In addition, to be truly gluten-free, processed dairy would also have to be eliminated. This means eliminating one’s favorites of cheese, yogurt, milk, butter, sour cream, etc. Recent science has
confirmed that gluten-based grains fed to cows pass through their milk, though this does not apply to grass-fed cows. Thus, even though milk is technically gluten-free, we have to look at what the cows were fed to be certain it is safe for people with Celiac disease or those with gluten intolerances.
Being in favor of “going gluten-free,” to those who need to, gluten is pro-inflammatory to the body and high in lectins. Grains contain a number of lectin compounds that can interfere with the ability to digest foods in general. Therefore, anyone with digestive problems would do well avoiding gluten. Also, grains in general, breakdown into sugar quickly and can promote weight gain and inflammation.8 There are many benefits to eating less wheat and replacing much of the bread and pasta you eat with healthier carbs, like root vegetables, squash, brown rice and beans. Your waistline, perhaps, and your immune system may be happier. Be wise as to why you are “going gluten-free” and what you are eating in place of gluten.
On the other hand, the Paleo Diet has some issues. Paleo, by design, means without wheat or dairy, and in light of recent studies, those with Celiac would be wise to eliminate both from the diet unless the dairy came from grass-fed cows. The common Paleo diet practiced recently is completely devoid of wheat and dairy, yet substitutes grains with coconut flour and coconut sugar. Sushama Gokhole of Larkspur remarks, “Low-grain or no-grain diets, may be fine also for immuno-compromised adults (or children) who have eaten a Standard American diet in their early lives, or have been prescribed toxic meds, or been exposed to excessive pollution, but it is not a remedy that should be applied to someone who is not sick, has generally cooked and eaten foods made of high quality ingredients, and whose system is not wrecked with prior abuses from these types of diets.”
In contrast, Chris Kresser, author of Your Personal Paleo Code, not only recommends grains if they are properly prepared which means soaked, fermented, or sprouted, but a balanced diet depending on one’s personal code or health status. What I have seen currently, is a plethora of glorified gluten-free, highly refined carbohydrate, low-fat, or lack of healthy fat, sugar substitute foods, satisfying sugar and carbohydrate addictions. Think about it. In spite of one’s belief in the Paleolithic cavemen living a million years ago, Paleolithic people were not making cookies, cakes, pies and brownies with processed coconut flour and sugar obtained from their local grocery store! They hunted and gathered and ate what was grown on the land or in the wild. Even the cakes of ancient times were very dense and hard, not light and fluffy such as being made now in many “Paleo” recipes.7 In addition, going wheat and dairy free for extended periods of time means some vital nutrients and healthy fats can be lost and will have to be supplemented.

“Kale and spinach are so healthy they should be consumed daily.” This is again one of those, well yes and no. Greens are highly nutritious as they balance the pH of the body and contain phytonutrients and carotenoids. Marketers know this and now we see kale chips, kale and spinach juice and smoothie recipes flooding the supermarkets. However, kale and spinach are in the classification of oxalates along with wheat, beans and legumes. Oxalic acid and its salts occur as end products of metabolism in a number of plants. When these plants are eaten, they may have an adverse effect because oxalates bind calcium and other minerals.5,9
The other problem with kale is that it belongs in the classification of thiocyanates. When consumed in large amounts, these are potent inhibitors of iodide transport found in cruciferous vegetables. If a person has low thyroid function, consuming large amounts of kale and other raw cruciferous vegetables will continue to inhibit their already low thyroid function. Cooking these vegetables nullifies the inhibition.10
While kale and spinach are healthy, they can be quite unhealthy consumed daily in large amounts and can lead to disease process. High consumption of oxalic acid may cause stone formation in the urinary tract, as well as lead to mineral deficiencies. This may increase one’s risk factor for osteoporosis for women, who require greater amounts of calcium in the diet. 5, 9 Soaking and cooking of foods high in oxalates will reduce the oxalate content by leaching.
Thinking you are getting healthy by drinking kale and spinach smoothies and juices, and eating kale chips every day is not so healthy after all.
Moderation, balance, and variety are the keys. Eat real food—food uncontaminated by hormones, antibiotics and destructive processing. Stay the course with sound nutrition and avoid the fads and trends that come and go with the seasons of life.
Stay tuned to more nutrition fads debunked by Christine Andrew in the next issue of Vacaville Magazine.
Sources:
1. Schober, Tony. Six Reasons You Should Stop Using Protein Powder, 2013
2. Richards, Byron J. 18 April 2013. “How Protein Helps Weight Loss” Accessed 10 July 2013.
3. Layman, Donald K. 2004. Protein Quantity and Quality and Levels above the RDA Improves Adult
Weight Loss. The Journal of American College Nutrition, Vol. 23, Supplement 6
4. Daniel, Kaayla PhD, CCN. The Whole Soy Story. New Trends Publishing, Inc. 2005
5. Sc Noonan, Bsc, MSc. Oxalate content of foods and its affect on humans. Asia Pacific Journal of
Clinical Nutrition. 1999, 8(1): 64-74

6. Curcio, Peter, RD. Dissecting Anti-Nutrients: A Closer Look at Saponins. www.breakmuscle.com
7. Andrew, Christine. Food Isn’t What It Used to Be. Westbow Press. 2013
8. Osbourne, Peter. The Gluten Free Lie. Gluten Free Society, June 2013
9. Weaver CM, Martin BR, Ebner JS, Krueger CA. Oxalic acid decreases calcium absorption in rats.
Journal of Nutrition 1987, 117(11):1903-1906
10. Erdogan M. Thiocyanate overload and thyroid disease. Biofactors. 2003;19(3-4):107-1

Debunked Nutrition Fads – Part 2
By: Christine Andrew, CNC

In battling the bulge and maintaining a slim physique, people are turning to nutrition fads in an effort to speed up weight loss. While some foods may seem like healthy alternatives, some may not be so healthy. In continuation of last issue, the following are some more common nutrition fads teemed with inaccuracies.
“Always eat sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.” It is true, white potatoes are high glycemic, which means they can raise blood sugar quickly after ingestion. If a person is diabetic, this is more problematic. However, adding butter to the potato will slow the insulin down and lower the glycemic load. One medium potato contains almost five grams of fiber, loads of potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and even some protein. White potatoes are also much richer in potassium, magnesium and vitamin
C. Sweet potatoes contain slightly more calories than white potatoes per hundred grams. They also contain more fiber and vitamin A. Adding butter to either of these makes a tasty and healthy side dish. In addition, sweet potatoes or yams can be juiced or blended in smoothies to get maximum nutrient benefits, and it tastes delicious this way. Since these are root vegetables, I recommend purchasing organic.
“Calories eaten late at night will make you fat.” Here the emphasis is on calories. True, it’s not a good idea to eat a heavy meal past 7:30 pm because it will interfere with digestion. It’s not that eating late will make one fat, it’s what the person is eating and why. However, a small, healthy snack of protein such as soaked raw nuts or yogurt may even help stabilize blood sugar or help a person sleep better. Most people who are “late-night bingers” are making poor dietary choices. They tend to under-eat during the day and then catch up in the evening when they’re too hungry to choose healthy foods. The bingers end up choosing chips, ice cream and other non-nutritive treats, which are quick and easy, yet high calorie fat producing.
“You must eat every three hours to keep up your metabolism.” Well, yes and no. In many cultures, the concept of “snacking” every two to three hours does not exist. Throughout human history, we got by perfectly well on two to three meals a day without experiencing blood sugar woes that were supposedly going to happen if we ever missed a meal or failed to eat every two to three hours. I don’t advocate eating every two hours, yet some people may need a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack depending on their personal metabolism and health status. Remember, your body gets used to a routine. This
became established when you were an infant feeding on your mother or being bottle fed. Feed a body every two to three hour and it will expect food every two to three hours. Most moms are familiar with that. Like Pavlov’s dogs, we start salivating when our snack time is approaching because our bodies are used to it. I advocate most people would be better off eating three square meals a day, front-loading at breakfast and foregoing morning snacks. Learn to eat a little more nutrient dense, fiber and healthy fat rich meals so you can last until the next meal, rather than relying on snacks to make it through the day. Many people’s definition of a healthy snack can be open to interpretation as well. A protein bar with an apple may sound like a healthy snack, but the bar itself may be loaded with chocolate and refined sugar and low fiber. Or some are loaded with the wrong kind of fiber and then we end up with a different battle. A better snack would be celery sticks (quality carb) and hummus (quality protein). A balance between carbs, fats and protein within the meal is the key. As for the metabolism increase with this regular snacking, it’s simply a myth. Your body composition and size will affect your metabolism, not necessarily how often you eat.1
“Greek Yogurt is best.” Again, it depends on the source. What originally began from a family tradition has now spread rampant in the yogurt aisles of countless grocery stores. Varieties of yogurt have increased over the years, but the Greek yogurt choice has dramatically increased recently. Similar to the soy market with soy in every conceivable food, “Greek” yogurt has grabbed on to the idea and now we see just about every commercial brand of yogurt offering “Greek” as a choice.
Traditional Greek Yogurt has been around for 5,000 years in the Mediterranean regions. It is typically made with cow’s milk or goat’s milk and usually contains between 9-10% milk fat as well as containing five live and active cultures (including Probiotics), rbst/rbgh (hormone and antibiotic) free milk, Kosher- Dairy, whereas typical whole milk varieties of yogurt found in your local grocer generally don’t exceed 3.5% milk fat and contain less probiotics, added hormones and higher sugar content. The higher milk fat and straining process in Greek yogurt makes for a much smoother and creamier texture appeal that isn’t found in traditional yogurts.
Greek Gods All Natural Greek yogurt is one of the original Greek yogurts. This brand contains whole milk and no added sugar. Plain, whole milk, is what I recommend. Adding fruit to the yogurt yields less sugar than the processed ones with fruit.
Again, moderation, balance and variety are the keys. Eat real food—food uncontaminated by hormones, antibiotics and destructive processing. Stay the course with sound nutrition and avoid the fads and trends that come and go with the seasons of life.
1. Hara, Takako. Hunger and Eating. www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/students/hunger.htm 1997

Early Detection
By: Christine Andrew, CNC

In light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, the pink wagons and ribbons were donning re- tail stores, subtly attracting donors. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the U.S. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer; breast cancer is second. Why don’t we have Lung Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness about lung cancer if it is the leading cause of cancer?
True, breast cancer has become an epidemic in recent years and has reached extreme proportions. According to the American Cancer Society, approxi- mately 230,480 new cases were diagnosed in 2011. Men are not immune. However, raising awareness appears to have frightened many women into needless biopsies and overuse of mammograms. For decades we have been told that mammograms save lives. With the increasing rate of breast cancer, it becomes clear that conventional strategies in diagnosis and treatment are riddled with flaws. Are we doing more harm than good?
Here are a few facts:
• Most cancers found by mammograms are slow-grow- ing cancers.
• Normal breast tissue can hide a true breast cancer so that it doesn’t show up on the mammogram. This is what is called a false negative.
• Abnormalities that look like a cancer can turn out to be normal. This is called a false positive.
• Frequent mammograms raise the risk of radiation ex- posure, which can raise the risk of developing cancer.
• Mammograms don’t save lives. Consider a recent admission from a Dartmouth professor of medicine to Fox News that screening had no effect on saving lives.
• Only five to ten percent of breast cancer cases are inherited.
• Researchers estimate that almost 73 percent of breast cancers are likely caused by lifestyle and dietary fac- tors and environmental toxins. This means that risk is beyond genetics.
Cancer is the symptom, not the cause. The body is revealing that it is sick and common causes are toxic exposures, radiation exposure, hormonal imbalances, emotional imbalances, poor diet and an acidic internal environment, to name a few. In addition, oral contra- ceptives and hormone replacement therapy increase
the likelihood of cancer. The hormones melatonin and vitamin D are also protectants against breast cancer and deficiencies put a woman at risk. A host of environmen- tal toxicants compound the risk as well, including but not limited to, parabens and phthalates found in lotions, plastics and register receipts.
Early Detection Screenings
While the goal of any screening is to detect cancer early, there are now several different screenings available. The earlier the cancer is caught, the easier and less invasive the treatment, along with higher survival rates.
28  Vacaville Magazine
by: Christine Andrew, CNC
• Mammograms are approved as a device for locating cancerous tumors, but exposes women to radiation, and not recommended for women under 39 years of age.
• Ultrasounds or MRIs confirm tumor location
• Biopsy establishes diagnosis for cancer
Another not so common screening is called Thermogra- phy. Thermography is a technology backed by scientific literature and was first used in 1956. It captures the heat from the surface of the body using an infrared camera. The camera is able to detect subtle physiological and functional changes revealed on a computer. It is a cur- rent and future risk assessment tool used in conjunc- tion with other FDA-approved devices listed above to provide even higher accuracy. Because tumors have a higher temperature than normal tissue, Thermogra-
phy picks up aggressive tumors very well and can help determine risk for developing breast cancer. We are not looking for tumors or calcifications. Rather, we are looking for functional processes that could lead to the formation of a tumor. Thermography is a tool that can signal activity from a cancer or activity that may lead to cancer in the future.
According to Bruce Rind, M.D., Thermography is
like headlights of a car; they show you the path you are traveling, while Mammography is the rearview mirror; it reflects what has already occurred. Take cholesterol tests as another example. You find out you are high risk for cholesterol with a result of 200. If you manage it with diet and exercise and other nutrition from your nutri- tionist, you can reduce the risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. This is the same goal we have at Center for Holistic Health and Nutrition. We find a risk, we man- age your health with nutrition and lifestyle adjustments and reduce the risk of breast cancer or disease process. Thermography is non-invasive, does not use radiation, is safe and comfortable and a valuable adjunct to Mam- mography. In addition, this technology predicts breast cancer eight to ten years before any other test, giving women hope in preventing cancer and in the ability to do something about it early.

Allergic to Life
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Blind, deaf, mute, non-ambulatory, developmentally disabled. These are descriptions of disabilities that most people recognize. The causes of these disabilities are often birth defects, accidents or severe illnesses. The people who suffer them do so through no fault of their own. They didn’t cause the problems they were born with or give permission to be in accidents or to become ill.

Such disabilities existed years before there was any legislation to accommodate their needs. Now, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which marks its 14^th anniversary, there is hardly a U.S. city without some sort of wheelchair access on sidewalk curbs, and public restrooms. Braille signs have been installed in elevators, and telephones and televisions have been modified to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing users.

But there is another kind of disability that is not as easily recognized, and which does not receive as much support to accommodate the growing needs of those who suffer from it: Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, or EI/MCS.

This is a condition that creeps up on unsuspecting people, perhaps for years, until one day it dawns on them that they are allergic to life and wonder what happened to them. By then many have become home bound. Doctors haven’t been able to figure out what’s wrong, and drugs haven’t made any difference. Among the many symptoms of EI/MCS are headaches, fatigue, insomnia, joint and muscle pain, memory loss, imbalance, severe allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity, and possibly cancer and other autoimmune disorders.

The causes are numerous and have been likened to what is known as the “rain barrel” effect. Just as a rain barrel collects water over an extended period of time, people’s bodies—sometimes since infancy—have been slowly filled with multiple toxins, chemicals, and pollutants: smoke, vaccines, excessive antibiotics (and not just in the prescription form), perfumes from fabric softeners, laundry detergents and other scented products, preservatives from packaged food, cleaning chemicals and pesticides sprayed at schools and homes. Each exposure deposits more drops into the person’s barrel of toxins until the barrel overflows.

I began noticing my own symptoms when I was around 40 years of age. I thought my allergies, joint pain and sever sensitivities to scents, to name a few symptoms, were just signs of aging. I began to accept this belief when doctors couldn’t help me with anything besides medication. With each passing year, it seemed as if my symptoms were becoming worse. I couldn’t walk down the detergent aisle in the grocery store because of the scents, and being around anyone wearing perfume made breathing difficult and my throat raw. I lived with constant rhinitis, but refused the standard drug treatment for these symptoms.

After reading “Staying Well in a Toxic World,” by Lynn Lawson, I realized that my “allergic” symptoms had a cause and a name. My body had just about accumulated a full barrel of toxins. It has taken great effort and time to drain my personal “rain barrel.” I have learned how to remove, repair, replace, avoid and clean up the environment in and around my property, and how to detoxify my body. I would not consider myself to be disabled by any means. But there are many people in communities who have much greater sensitivities and are considered disabled. They are no longer able to go into public places because of the potential exposure to chemicals and other pollutants.

Environmental illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity cannot be “cured,” but there are some approaches that can have a profound effect on how a person copes. One of the most helpful things we, the public, could do, for instance, is to add this postscript to the many public signs that ask people to turn off their cell phones: “Out of concern for others, please refrain from wearing perfumes.” Or, “Out of concern for others, please refrain from using pesticides.”

Providing adequate scent-free zones, ventilation—a window and /or a fan— or using nontoxic cleaning supplies or natural alternatives to pesticides are other measures we as a public can take to ensure that those who are allergic to life can still enjoy it. Even though they have no outwardly visible sign of a disability, people with EI/MCS need reasonable accommodations.

Sweet Tooth Addictions
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Hardly a week passes anymore without hearing some news about the rise in obesity and diabetes in this country.  The epidemic is sweeping over our country causing an increasing amount of related deaths and increasing insurance premiums.  As we approach the upcoming holidays, the temptations of over indulgence permeates every household.

In the U.S. 55% of the population are obese.  This includes children and adults.  In the last 30 years there has been 70% increase in diabetes.  The average American consumes 60 pounds of cakes, cookies, 23 gallons of processed chemical laden ice-cream, 7 pounds of potato chips, 365 servings of soda, and 756 doughnuts a year.

Would you even think of giving your child 17 teaspoons of sugar a day? Probably not.   Yet, the Journal of Pediatrics in January of 2005 revealed that the average sugar consumption of 2-3 year olds was about 14 teaspoons. In 4-5 year olds, the amount was 17 teaspoons.  This sugar is evident in refined cereals, soda, sports drinks, candy, syrup, processed foods with high fructose corn syrup, doughnuts, and other pastries.  With the lack of enough fresh vegetables and fruits consumed zinc becomes deficient which causes the taste buds to under-function. People are then driven to eat more sugar because it is the only thing they are able to taste; which then leads to fewer vegetables.

In trying to avoid fats, due to the widely falsified ads that deceive people into thinking that eating fat makes you fat, people are turning to sugars, diet soft drinks, and highly refined carbohydrates to satisfy their taste buds.   A recent study showed that approximately 33% of those drinking one to two cans per day of regular soda became overweight or obese.  Approximately 47% of those drinking more than two cans per day became overweight or obese.  But, on the diet soft drinks study, approximately 54% became overweight or obese drinking only one or two cans per day.  Even though the diet sodas contained zero calories, the sweet tooth was satisfied, but nutritionally the body was empty.  This sets up a person to find more calories from somewhere else to make up for the calories that weren’t in the soda.  This leads to eating liberally other and usually unhealthy foods.

We all have a built in thermostat in the hypothalamus of the brain to control our appetite.  This thermostat tells the body when it has had enough, regardless of the source of food, and is disrupted in people with metabolic problems and cellular miscommunication.  And how does this miscommunication happen? Eating refined grains, sugars, processed foods and trans-fats make our cell membranes stiff and unresponsive to messages of cellular communication. Cells have to communicate in order to process and consume energy.  The more sugars consumed the less calories from nutrient dense foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals consumed.  And, the less amount of these nutrients, leads to disease and a downward spiral of sugar addictions. Sugar addiction is defined by K. DesMaison, PhD, as “The habitual, physiological and psychological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one’s voluntary control.”   Michael Lemonick of Time Magazine, July 2007, quotes Joseph Frascella, director of the division of clinical neuroscience at the National Institute on Drug Abuse that, “Addictions are repetitive behaviors in the face of negative consequences, the desire to continue something you know is bad for you.” It is the lack of ability to walk away from sweets.  “I can’t help it.  I just have a sweet tooth,” is in reality an admission of a sugar addiction. Besides diabetes and obesity, there are other serious health risks associated with excess sugar consumption.  These are, Candida Albicans, reduced defense in bacterial and viral infections due to a suppressed immune system, (look at the rise in bacterial infections like bacterial meningitis, E.Coli, and H. Pylori), hypoglycemia, periodontal disease, PMS/menopause, adrenal and thyroid dysfunction.

In trying to avoid sugar many people turn to artificial sweeteners. Studies are showing that consuming “diet” sodas is not effective for controlling weight.  Artificial sweeteners are just that- artificial, and still have an impact on our brain thermostat and cell membranes.  They all produce toxins. Aspartame, the worst, degrades into formaldehyde.  You may be avoiding the calories providing you only drink one soda, but you are not avoiding the hormonal disruptions.  And, if you have to use sweeteners, it is a signal that you are still in the throes of a sugar addition.

Is it all the consumer’s fault?  Actually, it is not.  Sugar production in the U.S. is heavily subsidized by the government.  The American Diabetes Association is sponsored by the Dairy Council and the Sugar Association of America.  (And of course, what does the dairy industry add to milk?  Take a look at skim milk as well!)  The food industry spends an average of $33 billion per year to advertised and sell us processed foods.  They know it is addicting just like the tobacco industry in 1994 knew that smoking was addicting.  Most French fries are coated with sugar and beef flavoring; that’s partly why they are brown, and so addicting.  Consumers and families are constantly being bombarded by fancy colorful and deceptive marketing of the processed and sugar foods.

So, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas are approaching, what do you eat instead of all those sugary foods and desserts?  There are several strategies I would recommend.  First, don’t go to parties hungry.  Eat a healthy snack or meal before you go so that you are not tempted to binge at the party.  Second, drinking a glass of water before eating also fills the body up and gives you a full feeling so that you don’t have to eat a lot to fulfill those cravings.  If you truly do struggle with sugars and are diabetic, then you might have to tell yourself, “That’s poison to my body, but, I can eat this,” as you are pointing to the fresh fruit.  Also, bring your own dessert to the party, then you know what you are eating and won’t feel deprived.  Some dessert alternatives I recommend are fruit pizza with cream cheese, zucchini bread made with Stevia, and 100% organic 73% cacao dark chocolate.

The dynamics of addiction are all the same and we cannot triumph until we assume responsibility for our actions, no matter what the environment around us is like.  Isn’t your health worth it?

The Colonoscopy Prep Process; Safe?
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

On the day before procedure consume liquids only, but no milk. Choices given:

Water—Okay

Clear liquids as long as they are not red or purple—Okay

Chicken broth— Okay

Strained fruit juices without pulp—Okay

Coffee—Really? Do I want to dehydrate myself even more?

Tea—Okay

Jell-O—ingredients: sugar, artificial flavors and colorings (may be carcinogenic, coal tar dyes, may contain aluminum), gelatin may contain sulfur dioxide, MSG

Kool Aid—ingredients: sugar, artificial flavors and colorings (See above)

Gatorade—ingredients: sugar, artificial flavors and colorings (See above)

Soda—ingredients: sugar, phosphates

Popsicle—blue, green, yellow, orange or pink—sugar, artificial flavors, and colorings.

First, take two Bisacodyl tablets–a laxative hydrolyzed by intestinal brush border enzymes and colonic bacteria to form an active metabolite (bis-p-hyroxyphenyl) pyridyl 2 methane, that acts directly on colonic mucosa to produce peristalsis.

Ingredients: (5 mg.)

Acetylated monoglycerides

Calcium sulfate—plaster of Paris, used as a firming agent. Absorbs moisture and hardens quickly. Its ingestion may result in intestinal obstruction. GRAS.

Carnauba wax—Used as a glaze

D&C Red no.7 Calcium Lake— any food dyes can be a potential harm gelatin—(See above)

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate

Lactose—a milk sugar, Use as a diuretic and laxative and filler. Many people are lactose intolerant and this can cause digestive upset and bloating.

Magnesium stearate

Confectioner Sugar, sucrose

Talc—French Chalk. An anticaking agent added to render a free flow. Comes from magnesium silicate, a mineral. Can contain asbestiform minerals.

Titanium dioxide

Bees wax

Microcrystaline cellulose

Next, mix Flavor Packet into “HalfLytely”-

Contents of Flavor Packet:

“Natural” and artificial flavor powder

maltodextrin

gum arabic

sodium saccharin

silicon dioxide

food dyes (See colorings above)

Last, drink 2 liters of “HalfLytely” every 10 minutes

Contents:

Polyethylene Glycol: A defoaming agent. A binder, plasticizing agent, solvent, and softener. Improves resistance to moisture and oxidation.

Polyethylene: a polymer of ethylene, a product of petroleum gas or dehydration of alcohol. One of a group of lightweight thermoplastics that have a good resistance to chemicals, low moisture absorption. Ingestion of large oral dose has produced kidney and liver damage.

Polymer: A substance formed by combining many small molecules. The result is essentially recurring long-chain structural units that have tensile strength, elasticity, and hardness. Examples are plastics, fibers, rubber, and human tissue.

Ethylene Glycol: A slightly viscous liquid with a sweet taste. Absorbs twice its weight in water. Used as an antifreeze and humectant and solvent. Toxic when ingested, causing central nervous system depression, vomiting, drowsiness, coma, respiratory failure, kidney damage, and possibly death.

Sodium chloride

Sodium bicarbonate

Potassium chloride

Warning contained on the HalfLytely container:

HalfLytely and Bisacodyl Tablets Bowel Prep Kit is a gastrointestinal lavage indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults. Most common adverse reactions (<3%) are abdominal pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting and headache. Use is contraindicated in the following conditions: known allergies to polyethylene glycol or other components of the kit, gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, toxic colitis, toxic megacolon.

Use with caution in patients using concomitant medications (such as diuretics) that increase the risk of electrolyte abnormality, patients with known or suspected hyponatremia, patients with severe ulcerative colitis, ileus or gastric retention. There have been reports of ischemic colitis in patients with use of HalfLytely and 20 mg Bisacodyl Tablets Bowel Prep Kit. However, a causal relationship has not been established. If patients develop severe abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, patients should be evaluated as soon as possible. Patients with impaired water handling who experience severe vomiting should be closely monitored including measurement of electrolytes. Hives and skin rashes have been reported with PEG-based products which are suggestive of an allergic reaction.

The New Addiction
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Cell phone usage is out of control for people of all ages in our society. In the early 1900′s smoking was fashionable. After 40 years there were many brands from which to choose. It was the “in” thing to do; no one ever thought about the health risks or possible addictions.

In the early 1980′s cell phones hit the market. At first they were only used for emergencies. Some 13 years later, 15 million Americans were using cell phones. Now in 2011, five billion people are exposed to cell phones. Talking and texting on cell phones have become the new “in” thing to do. As with cigarettes, cell phones were deemed safe by the FDA, and the majority of Americans never thought about possible health risks.

Debate over the health risks of cellphones continues, but a recent report from the World Health Organization reporting that cellphones are “possibly carcinogenic” is a step closer toward indicating that cell phones are not safe. In the last decade numerous warnings about cell phones have been published and generally dismissed. The state of Maine recognizes the risks and recently approved warning labels to be placed on cell phones. Robert Becker, M.D., of The Body Electric, says, “The cell phone is the most dangerous device ever created.”

What did we do before cell phones? I believe cell phone use has become the new addiction. What are addictions? According to J. Frascella of The National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Addictions are repetitive behavior.” K. DesMaison, Ph.D., says, “They are the habitual, physiological and psychological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one’s voluntary control.”

An addiction is the inability to walk away from the substance or activity. You can’t live without it. Is see this in society now. How many times have you sat in a restaurant and seen families sitting together, each with a cell phone texting or talking on the cell phone? They’re not even talking to each other. How many times have you seen people walking around holding their cell phone doing every day activities, such as shopping, laundry, walking the dog, taking the baby for a stroller ride, ride a bike, etc? These people are dependent on their cell phones; using them has become an addiction.

It is no longer only an adult activity. Attempting to keep up with the times, toy manufacturers and the media are making toy cell phones and cell phone ads that appeal to children, so that the obsession with talking on these devices starts at a very young age. Everyone at every age wants one. With free, unlimited minutes or texts, people are on their phones longer, exposing themselves and those around them. As with any addiction, the addict is not the only one affected; family members and those around them suffer too. When the addict doesn’t get their substance, what happens? Their behavior changes. Panic, even anger, sets in. Take away a cell phone from a teenager and what do you get?

The mechanism for all addictions is the same, whether it’s food, drugs, alcohol, or cell phones. We have a thermostat in the hypothalamus of the brain to control our appetite for food or other substances, according to our metabolism. This thermostat is disrupted in people with metabolic problems and cellular miscommunication.

What are the consequences of cell phone addictions? Health decline, social disassociations, auto accidents and death ( from accidents using cell phones). Ironically, cell phones represent a danger to our molecular cells.

In our bodies, health decline starts with cellular communication. Cells communicate in order to process and consume energy. If there is a miscommunication for a long period of time, then tissues, organs and organ systems begin to malfunction.

We have receptors on every cell membrane of every cell in our bodies. These receptors are chemical and vibrational. The vibrational receptors pick up signals which vibrate in the hertz range. As cell phone’s radio wave contacts the vibrational receptors on the cell membrane anywhere in the body, especially in the brain, the information carrying radio wave is recognized as a foreign invader and begins disrupting cellular communication and function. The body will then try to protect itself by shutting down the active transport channels in the cell membrane resulting in a change of the permeability of the cell membrane. Cell walls become hardened when they’re trying to protect themselves, trapping toxins in and keeping nutrients out. Toxic build-up over time creates free radicals and destroys mitochondria. When mitochondria can’t generate energy, cells can’t detoxify, and cell l-to-cell communication is lost. Free radical build up interferes with repair and replication of DNA. Hence, cancer can form. “Combined with poor nutrition, toxic chemical exposure and other factors, these electromagnetic fields might impair the body’s immune system through a collective influence,” says J. Geary of Popular Science, 2010. According to Sherrill Sellman, N.D., in 2007 of Electropollution, all aspects of life at the molecular, cellular, biochemical and physiological levels can potentially be damaged by electromagnetic radiation exposure.

With any addiction cessation program, support is vital for success.

It took two decades of study and 100 years of consumer use to gather enough data to meet research standards before the U.S. Surgeon General put warnings on cigarettes. Maine is on the right track with its new ruling. But how many peole must suffer the consequences of ill effects from cell phones before the link is recognized and the U.S. Surgeon General puts warnings in every state on every cell phone?

As a holistic health care provider, I would encourage you to not wait until the studies show positive conclusive evidence that cell phones are dangerous enough to cause cancer. Be proactive and start protecting yourself now.

Tips to protect yourself:

1. Cell phones are a lifestyle factor. Adjust your lifestyle first. Put the cell phone down away from your body.
2. Reduce the number of minutes spent on the phone.
3. Choose low-tech versions with less radiation. The new Droids and Blackberries have the highest EMF.
4. Switch the phone off at night.
5. Keep cell phones and other EMF generating devices away from vulnerable body parts.
6. Use speaker phone as much as possible.
7. Do not talk on a cell phone when pregnant or carrying a small child.
8. Use “airplane mode” or turn off the phone in public places.
9. Don’t talk on cell phones in vehicles. Besides the proven accidents this causes, these enclosed areas trap radiation and exposure is higher in enclosed metal surroundings. The phone has to use more power to maintain connections.
10. Avoid second-hand cell phone exposure. Like cigarettes, second hand smoke is just as dangerous. So, too, is second-hand cell phone exposure because you are between the transmitter and receiver of the other person’s cell phone. You are getting bombarded with the radiation and you are not even talking on your phone. Wi-fi spots are the worst for this.
11. Texting avoids the brain area, but you are still holding the electromagnetic device which puts your body at risk of exposure.
12. Pay attention to the signal bars on the display panel of your cell phone. Fewer bars indicates a weaker signal.
13. Use electromagnetic protectors, nutritional, and antioxidants specific for brain health.
14. Use a land-line phone more often than cell phones.

The electromagnetic world is here to stay, but each one of us is responsible for taking proactive steps to protect ourselves and our families from the dangers of cell phones. Make your goal to use the cell phone less each day. You might find your communication skills with your friends and family are improved. If you would like help with specific cell phone protection, home remediation, and nutritional consultations regarding this topic, email christineandrew@christyins.ipage.com.

pH Explained
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

“A well tuned body doesn’t run well on inferior fuel.” MT. Morter, M.D.

Getting an engine into top running form, you have to put in the right parts, fuel, and oils. I can adjust the mechanical and electrical systems and get the parts working correctly, but if the owner put the wrong kind of fuel in the tank, the well-tuned engine could be ruined.

pH stands for potential hydrogen. It is the measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. There are different potencies for different fluids in the body and out of the body. Citric acid in fruit will not harm you. But hydrochloric acid in a chemistry lab can drill a hole through flesh.

Water has a pH of 7.0. It is neutral. The lower the number, the more acidic the solution. The higher the number, the more alkaline the solution. There is a tenfold difference between each unit. For example, ph 5.0 is ten times more acid than ph 6.0, but pH 4.0 is one hundred times (10×10) more acid than pH 6.0. Minor variations in the pH can make a significant difference in the way your body functions and in your health potential.

Your body is an alkaline entity by design, except for the stomach. yet acid-producing by function. All bodily fluid is supposed to be 7.0 or above on the pH scale. Cells operate in an alkaline environment, yet acid is produced as they function, and cells that are alive, function all the time. This acid by itself won’t damage your body because it is a weak acid that is easily eliminated by your lungs. When you exercise your body is getting rid of the acid generated by the hard working cells.

Another source of acid comes from acid ash food. This must be neutralized before it can be eliminated through the kidneys. If you eat the same kinds of food as the Standard American Diet, day after day, acid ash is left as it is processed in the body. Excess acid from acid ash foods can be eliminated, but it can’t be eliminated through the lungs. Dietary acid ash is eliminated through the kidneys. In this process, vital minerals are lost with it. Acid ash from foods can be eliminated through the kidneys and bowels, but it must first be neutralized through buffering. Otherwise, it would burn sensitive tissue on their way through the digestive tract.

Pain or burning on urination, or heartburn, is an indicator that the reserves of neutralizing minerals such as calcium are exhausted and that the body has adapted the way it functions for survival, not comfort. Natural treatments to ease the pain can help such as cranberry juice or ginger tea. This won’t affect the underlying cause and unless the person changes the way they eat, they will get sicker. The only way to improve the condition that caused the problem in the first place is to eat alkaline foods. If the acid ash produced by food isn’t neutralized, your body will become so toxic that it can no longer function.

Minerals are used by the body to buffer dietary acid ash foods. The most important minerals are sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium. You get these in fruits and vegetables. Just like having a bank account where you deposit and withdraw, you can take out all of the money at once and the bank account will be empty, or you can take out a little each day and it will take longer to bring down the amount. If you don’t make any deposits, eventually your money will be gone. The same goes with your Wellness Bank Account. Every time you eat acid ash foods, some of the precious minerals, sodium, from your bodily bank account is used up. If you don’t replace it with the minerals from fruits and vegetables, your valuable reserve of alkaline minerals will vanish and your body will become acidic. When your sodium reserves are used up, then your body will start to rob calcium from the bone bank. Osteoporosis develops when “your calcium has gone off to play hero and bail you out of the mess caused by your dietary habits.” Dr. Morter

Every day think about whether you are making a deposit or withdrawal with your Wellness Bank Account. What you eat, drink, think, and do will either make a deposit or withdrawal. Producing acid without depositing alkaline, your body must fight to maintain pH levels, and you are a prime candidate for progressive degenerative disease, or worse. What would an empty bank account do to you?

What’s All the Fuss About Gluten?
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Ten years ago I never heard about gluten intolerance or celiac disease although it has been in existance for over 100 years. Five years ago after being diagnosed with gluten intolerance, it was difficult to find a gluten- free loaf of bread, let alone any other gluten-free product. Now there are rows and aisles filled with gluten-free products from which to choose.

• Why has there been such a skyrocket in gluten-free products in such a short span of time?
• Has the number of people with gluten intolerances and celiac disease increase that much, or are more people adopting the gluten-free way of life as a healthy choice?
• Is this truly a healthy choice?

First, let’s look at what gluten is. It is the insoluble protein called gliadin in wheat, barley, and rye. It is the “glue” that binds ingredients together and allows flour to rise. Gluten is in all breads, cakes, cookies, crackers, cereals, pie, noodles, and other flour containing food products. Essentially, it is what the standard American diet has flourished on over the past 50-70 years.

Celiac Disease on the other hand is an auto-immune digestive disorder triggered by gluten intake or genetics. It is a disease of malabsorption where the mucosal villi of the intestinal wall is so damaged nutrients, vitamins, and minerals cannot be absorbed. Each time gluten is eaten, the body’s immune system attacks the small intestine and results in inflammation. When the villi are damaged enough, the body doesn’t absorb the nutrients. Failure to thrive is one result.

It is reported that 1 in 100 are diagnosed with CD. Fifty years ago 1 in 700 were diagnosed. Dr. Mark Hyman reports that there has been a 400 percent increase in the incidences of celiac. How does this happen? How does someone acquire food intolerances? One reason is our lack of genetic adaptation to grasses and gluten in our diet. According to Mark Hyman, M.D., American strains of wheat have a much higher gluten content which is needed to make the light fluffy, “Wonderbread” and bagels. Celiac is doubling every ten years possibly because of changes in how wheat is grown and processed. Modern practices like hybridizing alter molecules in the body, which in turn change the body’s immune response. Genetically modified wheat crops have much higher gluten content which may overburden the digestive system.

Another possibility is the over indulgence in certain foods. Americans have been taught by the former USDA food pyramid to consume the bulk of their daily diet with grains. Add to that the introduction of fast food, Americans have been indulging in breads, cakes, pies, cookies, bagels, hamburger/hotdog buns, muffins, cereals—all thinking these are healthy. Gluten protein causes an immunological reaction in the small intestine, then over time with constant indulgence in these foods, leads to damaged villi from inflammation. This is what is known as “leaky gut.” A poor diet will eventually lead to an inability to cope.

A third way we acquire gluten intolerance and celiac is through trauma- whether physical or emotional. Accidents, surgery, emotional strain, etc., stresses the body and creates inflammatory processes that could very well lead the intestinal environment vulnerable.

Is going on a wheat-free/gluten-free diet the healthiest choice? Not necessarily. First, wheat-free is not necessarily gluten-free. Second, food labels currently do not always refer to gluten. Also, there are dangers with cross contamination. Oats do not contain gluten, but if oatmeal is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, then there is cross contamination. Next, many people when embarking on a gluten free diet start substituting the alternatives to what they were previously consuming, i.e., gluten- free breads, cakes, pies, cookies, crackers, muffins, etc. These foods are still refined carbohydrates and will lead to blood sugar spikes, inflammation, and will precipitate other food intolerances and further damage the small intestine. Refined carbohydrates are low in nutrients and fiber, high in starch, increases appetites, and can cause difficulties in concentration and weight management. All grains are proinflammatory. Gluten-free grains are not any healthier. Taken in moderation with conscientiousness of thought, a “gluten-free” diet is a healthy choice. However, a “gluten-free” diet can also mean, no grains at all.

To truly manage gluten intolerance and celiac, you must first eliminate all wheat and gluten products—which are hidden in many processed foods and non-food products. I advise people to refrain from even gluten-free grains as much as possible . The intestinal villi need time to recover, and substituting with another refined carbohydrate will prolong the recovery process and lead you vulnerable to another food intollerance. If you have to have a grain food, then there might be an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. Second in gluten/celiac management, is support with nutrient deficiencies. All cases of celiac and gluten intolerance have nutritional deficiencies caused by the compromised gut health. It is important as part of the healing process to find the correct nutrients that are deficient.

In addition, I recommend receiving education about the condition. Read books, or attend classes on Gluten-free eating. If you wish to have a consultation to evaluate your health or to find out if you are gluten intolerant or have celiac, then fill out the form in the contact section of this website.

ABC Tips for the Holidays
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Two of the major issues that we all face during the holidays are weight gain and resisting temptation. With so many parties, get-togethers, and family gatherings during the holidays, food seems to be the primary focus that connects these activities. Imagine a gathering without cheese, wine, and tantalizing pastries of all kinds. It is also hard to imagine a family gathering without heavy meat dishes, old traditions of family casseroles, and rich desserts.

Although difficult to resist the pressure to eat these “special” and rich dishes and so that family members and friends will not be offended, there are ways to enjoy the festivities without guilt. It is at these holiday times that old tastes and preferences surface along with a compelling need to feel emotionally satisfied with these nurturing family traditions – whether they are healthy or not.

So, how do you break out of this emotional cycle and not be seduced by unhealthy choices?
Here are some tips that should help you get through the holidays, avoid gaining weight, and feel good about your ability to make healthy choices:

1. Go Light on the Appetizers – Chips and dips, candied nuts, breads and cheeses can be filling and cause bloating before the real eating has even started. Before parties, fill up with two cups of water. You’ll have a sense of fullness and helps you to avoid over-consumption of the appetizers.
2. Skip the Breads and Rolls – You don’t really need these highly refined carbohydrates. With mashed potatoes, stuffing and yams, the extra carbs from refined bread is too much. Wheat bread expands in the stomach (especially with beer) and is one of the most common causes for digestive upset. Stick with whole grain crackers.
3. Use real Butter – Margarine is not healthier than butter. It is a highly processed food that contains trans-fats, which are oils that have been structurally altered and are known carcinogens. Skip the Crisco for pie crusts. Use real butter or coconut oil; your crust will be flaky and rich, and it won’t give you cancer.
4. Serve Sparkling Cider Instead of Soda – Kids love it! It’s a drink they don’t get to have everyday and is much healthier than commercial sodas. Add a little lemon or lime juice and frozen raspberries for a festive color and fruity taste.
5. Do a fruit-fast or juice-fast once a week or bimonthly during these holidays. It will help rid the body of the extra toxic load.
6. Eat before the party or gathering. Don’t go to the party hungry or famished. Eat a piece of fruit and some cheese or a hard-boiled egg or several deli turkey slices before you attend the event. This should take the edge off of your hunger and, hopefully, give you better control of your eating.
7. Continue to Exercise even on the cold or rainy days. Jumping jacks on the living room floor or running in place for 15 minutes is still better than doing nothing.
8. Don’t Pile Food more than 1 inch high or within 2 inches of the plate’s edge. Larger portions equal more calories. (As per Dr. Oz)
9. Don’t Graze at parties or home. Plan your meal before you open the refrigerator; get what you need, and close the door. Opening it throughout the day leads to impulsive choices and overeating. At parties, plan on filling your plate with what you want and eat what you’ve chosen. Grazing at parties leads to over-consumption of food without realizing what you’ve done.
10. Choose only the Hors d’oeuvres that are the most healthful. If there are any fresh vegetables available, mix in-between the hors d’oeuvres.
11. Limit sweets as much as possible during these months. Sugars will lower your immune system and leave you vulnerable to colds and flu. Instead of having a slice of every pie available, choose one slice of one pie.
12. Try Maple Syrup Instead of Brown Sugar – Commercial brown sugar is refined white sugar with caramel color (molasses if your lucky) added back to it after refining. Although it is a simple sugar, maple syrup absorbs slower into the bloodstream than refined sugar. Use it for candying yams and pumpkin pie filling.
13. Offer to bring some of your own food if you are on a special diet, and won’t be able to eat beforehand, to complement your meal with the dishes that you can eat.
14. Stay Alkalized – To much dietary acid from meats, dairy products and sweets can throw the body’s delicate pH balance out of whack. This causes stress, irritability and acid indigestion. To balance pH, try 10 ounces of water mixed with 1 drop lemon essential oil and 1 drop peppermint essential oil for several days after a holiday party. Chlorella will also help balance pH as well.
15. Relax and Find Some Alone Time – Holidays can be stressful, and family can sometimes add to the load. Throughout the weekend, make sure to take some time alone for a walk, to read, take a nap or just sit by yourself and breathe. Even 15 minutes by yourself with your feet propped up can bring you back into a calm and balanced frame of mind.
16. Make a Wild Rice Stuffing – Unlike refined bread and stuffings that are high in simple carbohydrates, wild rice is a whole grain complex carbohydrate that absorbs gently into the bloodstream. It’s high in fiber (your guests will thank you later!) and is a good source of B vitamins and minerals.
17. Choose an Organic Turkey – Ask around at your local farmers’ market for small farms that raise holiday turkeys. Small and local farms are best: the birds are better cared for and the meat is that much fresher. Always choose a farm that doesn’t use antibiotics, hormones or preservatives on their turkeys.
18. Enjoy the harvest and winter season with an abundance of vegetables. These foods are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, and naturally make for colorful centerpieces.
19. Drink Lots of Water – Staying hydrated is key. The digestive organs need additional water to process the extra amounts of carbohydrate and alcohol. Make a point to drink at least a half a cup of water every hour, and make sure your kids are drinking water throughout the day, too.
20. Make it Yourself – If you make it, you know exactly what’s in it. It’s also fresher. Skip the canned cranberries, salad dressings, candied yams, packaged pies, and pumpkin puree; making them yourself with fresh ingredients is easy and the food will taste markedly better. You can also monitor the sugar content.

Most of all, enjoy the company during these holiday times, and don’t make the food the only reason that you are attending or organizing the gathering. Food is to nourish, not nurture.

Energy Medicine: The Health Care of the Future?
By Christine Andrew, C.N.C.

Recently, Dr. Oz commented  that the future of medicine is in energy
medicine.  I am not a medical doctor, or a physicist, therefore I am not licensed to diagnose, however, I am a Certified Nutrition Consultant and do provide energy evaluation to my clients, and have been utilizing one technology of energy “medicine” called Photon Resonance Optimization, in my practice.

There are many alternative therapies all with one goal—to achieve optimum health.  These include: raw food, Blood type diet, Gerson therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Psychotherapy, yoga, massage, Reiki, Bowen, Homeopathy, Cold laser therapy, Quantam Reflex Analysis, etc.  Now, energy medicine, or Energy therapy, can be added to the list.  The standard of western medical health care has been dominated by prescription drugs and surgery.  You have a symptom, a pain, a complaint, or an x, y, z disease; the answer is an x, y, z drug or perhaps an invasive surgical procedure.  Western society has accepted this mode and any deviation  from these conventional  procedures  is usually regarded as bunk.  Peter Frazer of Decoding the Human Body-field states that “history shows us that
most truly fundamental leaps forward in scientific understanding are shunned at
first.  Truly new insights are sometimes too radical an over turning of accepted theory or too threatening to business or academic interest to be evaluated impartially.”   Think
of germ theory.  It took years for that theory to be regarded as valid. (Of course on his death bed Louis Pasteur declared that the germ is nothing; the terrain is everything.)  Energy “medicine” has also taken awhile to be accepted.

Symptoms are a consequence of the breakdown of biochemistry; as distortions or blocks in the underlying energy and information of the human bio-(body) field.  According to Hans
Reckeweg, M.D.,  numerous symptoms of dis-ease are actually manifestations of the body attempting to detoxify or to heal. Suppression of these symptoms with Over-the-Counter  or prescription drugs results in accumulation of toxins within the body’s cellular matrix and eventually within the cellular organ structures.

In the body, besides organs, tissues, bones, cells, and muscles, etc., we also have a liquid substance called the living matrix.  This functions as the largest organ.  It is the information processor that integrates all body systems –muscle, skeletal, gastrointestinal, nervous, immune, endocrine, etc.  It is in this matrix where toxins can build up.

How does all this relate to energy medicine?  Let’s start with what is energy.   Energy is the ability of a physical system to change and is manifested in two ways.  One is force and movement and the other as information exchange.    Energy “medicine” has been around for several decades.   Actually, according to James Oschman, the use of electricity for healing dates back to 2750 BC when sick people were exposed to shocks produced by electric eels.  Energy is information, and the process of all life.  All living things rely on energy to be able to grow.   Matter is what life is made of: particles, molecules, cells, tissue,
organs, and systems.   Cells and tissues are always engaged in energy exchange.   That is how they communicate.  In so doing they create patterns of oscillation or vibration.   When
two or more systems resonate together they impart information.   This information can be measured in  waveforms.   Energy is very efficient at carrying  information through matter—throughout every part of our body.  Certain information can only be carried
through matter and some only through energy.   Pharmaceuticals, nutritionals, herbs, and foods carry information to the  body through matter.  Homeopathics, electromagnetics, radiation, and even thoughts can carry information through  energy.

Our bodies are electric.   This is a form of energy.  You’ve experienced electrical shock, no doubt, so you understand that energy flows throughout the body.  Dis-ease and disorder alters the flow of energy.  According to Hans Reckeweg M.D., disease process first alters the body’s energetic field.  This is why standard blood tests don’t often reveal disease before it has manifested into chemical changes.  Blood tests show pathology, not energetic
disturbances.

Correcting the distortions and imbalances in the human bio-field at the energetic level first, which is what energy “medicine” therapy accomplishes, can help return the body to homeostasis, or balance.

How is this done?  There are several ways.  One way this is accomplished is through a computerized machine, called Asyra, using photon resonance optimization technology.  The original concept came from Reinhold Voll, M.D. in the early 1950’s.  Through his studies, he found that the amount of current that passes through the cellular structure of the organ, gland, or body system reveals the functional status of the tissues.  The assessment is based on defined parameters of health so any deviation from the standard can be detected.    The basic law of physics states that when an electric current flows through a conductor, such as the circulatory system, a magnetic field is created in that
area.  According to James Oschman, human tissues respond to pulsating electromagnetic fields, and the entire matrix forms an electromagnetic and photonic network.    The design of the tissue matrix allows for specific transfer of information through the cell and throughout the organism by direct transmission of vibrational chemomechanical energy through harmonic wave motion.    These waveforms can be reconstructed by adding together correct sets of simple frequencies.  The collection of all the body’s possible sets of vibrational “fingerprints” are stored, analyzed, compared with baseline values, and modified at the discretion of the practitioner.   In the evaluation, the cells and tissue measured are either healthy, depleted, or stressed.  This is the basis of the computerized technology that is used in my practice.

By identifying the functional organ disturbances first allows the practitioner to identify and correct the distortions, or the red flag warning light, of the cells or tissues, so that disease does not manifest.  This technology reveals how to re-establish balance to the energetic pathways, and directs the body towards homeostasis—- health.

The assessments using this completely noninvasive FDA registered device self-calibrates to each individual and automatically proceeds through one of the many assessments that have been selected.  Some of the many available functional assessments include:  Allergies,
Addictions, Chemical toxicities, Dental disturbances, Digestive maladies, food sensitivities, Heavy Metal burdens, Hormonal imbalances, Emotional Stress, Neurotransmitter imbalances, and others.

Having a series of assessment scans allows the device to peel back the layers of the bio-field—the information imbedded in organs, the matrix, and cells, and records this energy evaluation.   Over time these assessments reveal the effects of therapeutic interventions.

Energy “medicine,” or therapy, is a cost effective method that may provide help for those who have not found relief using conventional medical approaches.

If you wish to partake in an assessment, please contact the office at (707) 451-4058.