Heel Detox

A few months ago I did a light detox with the Heel Detox-Kit, and I figured I'd take a little time to write about my experience. What I liked most about this is that it's a very gentle detox and it's really easy to use. In my research, I only came across one story that indicated sensitivity to the product. To use this detox, you just put 30 drops of each bottle in your water bottle in the morning and sip it throughout the day. Easy as that! Here is a little more about each of the formulas that comes with the kit:

• Lymphomyosot - this formula helps to support the lymphatic system.  This formula may also be given in isolation to treat colds, flu, bronchitis, and eczema.
• Berberis-Homaccord - supports bladder, gallbladder, and kidney function.
• Nux-Vomica-Hommacord - helps deal with functional disorders in the gastro-intestinal and hepatic region.

The kit lasts for 30 days and it is recommended that you do the detox 1-2 times a year.  

Low Stomach Acid

After much research in regard to my upper GI issues, I landed upon some interesting information suggesting that some of my problems could be related to low stomach acid.  While I don't know if this is the case, I'm definitely open to trying anything that could possibly help.  According to the self-tests listed in Dr. Elizabeth Lipski's book, Digestive Wellness, my issue could be low stomach acid OR high stomach acid.  In her book, she does indicate that the symptoms of both are almost indistinguishable.  She goes on to mention that low stomach acid is a much bigger problem than is acknowledged and that we can actually be worsening our condition by taking proton pump inhibitors (like prilosec, nexium, etc.) because these drugs further reduce the acid in your gut. 

One way to test for this problem is by supplementing with hydrocholoric acid (HCL) with pepsin to see how you respond.  If you respond with heartburn and lots of discomfort, than this is likely not the problem for you.  If it makes you feel better, then there is a good possibility that low stomach acid could be your culprit.  If you do feel discomfort after the trial supplementation, you can take a bit of baking soda mixed with water to neutralize the acidity.  Please consult your healthcare provider before trying this and remember that what I am sharing here is based on my personal experience and is not meant to be or replace medical advice.

Another way to boost your stomach acid is with the use of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.  (Tip: sip these through a straw to protect the enamel on your teeth.)  Ideally, you would mix any where from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar (ACV) with some warm water and drink it before a meal.  I have read you can drink it right before a meal, up to 30 minutes before a meal, between meals, or after a meal- so I plan to do whatever seems to work best with my body.  Today, I took 1 teaspoon mixed with water about 10 minutes before breakfast.  I did not have any negative reactions or discomfort.  Hopefully after doing this regularly, some of my upper GI issues will disappear!  I will post back with an update within the next month.  Below are some resources if you're interested in learning more about low stomach acid, HCL, or ACV.

Resources:

• Puristat has a nice list of symptoms, associated diseases, & testing and treatment info
• Nutrition with Sonya blog discusses another version of the self-test for low stomach acid
• Body Ecology lists symptoms of low stomach acid and suggesting for restoring balance
• Holistic Health takes a thorough look at low stomach acid

Some Low FODMAP Recipe Ideas - Part I

Baked Chicken with pineapple, cranberries, mint leaves, and almond slices:

I do not have exact amounts for the recipe listed above, but here is a basic overview: Marinate 2 chicken breasts in garlic infused olive oil and the juice of one orange for a few hours.  Preheat oven to 350.  Add chicken to baking dish coated with garlic infused olive oil.  Add mint leaves, almonds, sliced cranberries, and pineapple on top of the chicken.  Add preferred seasonings that are low FODMAP legal.  Cover with foil and bake about 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until done.  Tip: if the cranberries are too tart for your taste, mix them with a little bit of maple syrup or stevia prior to adding to the chicken.

Frozen sliced bananas topped with organic dark chocolate and chopped almond pieces:

 This recipe is one of my favorites and VERY simple.  A few hours before dinner, slice up a banana and place the slices so the form a circle on your plate.  Heat up a few squares of organic, dark chocolate (this should be pure chocolate with no sugar or milk added) and drizzle over the top of the bananas.  Add some sliced almonds atop of the chocolate.  Put in the freezer for 2-4 hours.  Remove 5 minutes prior to consuming.  Enjoy, this one is delicious!

Thimerosal

As my I approach the deadline for my annual TB test, I am trying to find answers to my questions about the chemicals used in the formula.  One of the questions I was trying to find an answer to is: "If mercury is so bad for us via fish consumption, then why is it okay in vaccines?".  Honestly, I did not find a comforting answer to that question.  What I learned is that there are a few different forms of mercury.  The kind in our vaccines is called ethylmercury, and the kind we ingest through eating fish is methylmercury.  Most studies to date have focused on methylmercury.  The results of these studies have revealed many toxic effects on developing fetus' and young children.

When reviewing the chemical summary on organic mercury provided in the TEACH database (which is a database of information about chemicals, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency)  I discovered that there is very little research on ethylmercury, while there is quite a bit of research on methylmercury.  For methylmercury, the U.S. EPA Reference Dose (RD) for chronic oral exposure is .00001 mg/kg-day and the ATSDR Minimal Risk Level (MRL) is .00003 mg/kg-day.  These exposure limits were last updated in 2001 and 1999, respectively.  To my shock, there were no toxicity references even available for ethylmercury.  I am assuming that is due to the lack of research that is readily available.  The summary of methylmercury studies reported the following findings:

• methylmercury has been shown to cross the placenta and has been measured in breast milk
• frequent eating of fish has been linked to mercury levels being 40 times the national average
• studies reported mild-to-moderate impairments detected in visual and behavioral tests of children that were associated with mercury or methylmercury blood concentrations
• high-dose, prenatal exposure to methylmercury has been linked to increased incidence of still births and miscarriages, several developmental disabilities, and other adverse neurological effects in children of exposed mothers
• children and adults exposed to methylmercury have developed a disorder called acrodynia, manifested by symptoms of: leg cramps, irritability, peeling of skin and hands, nose, and feet; fever, sweating, excessive salivation, sleeplessness, photobia, and/or weakness
• impaired growth of children was significantly associated with maternal exposure to methylmercury during pregnancy

(The source for the above findings is: www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/mercury_org_summary.pdf)

Another interesting thing is that the CDC states on their website that Thimersol (ethylmercury) is eliminated from the body easily and that data from studies shows no convincing evidence of harm.  When I went to examine their references, they are all AT LEAST 10 years old, with some references dating back to 1980!!!  Not to mention, there are only 7 references listed.  First of all, there are few studies that examine ethylmercury alone, which might be a reason for the lack of data suggesting harm.  Like I mentioned before, there is so little data that even the EPA doesn't have enough evidence or research to make a recommended toxicity reference.  Secondly, in a newer article published in 2005 they did report that ethlymercury cleared more rapidly than methylmercury... BUT the proportion of inorganic mercury in the brain was twice as high in the ethylmercury (the type of mercury in Thimerosol) group.  It was further noted that inorganic mercury remains in the brain much longer than organic mercury, and has a half-life of MORE THAN A YEAR!  It goes on to state that "it's not currently known whether inorganic mercury presents any risk to the developing brain".  So, it looks to me that while there might not be any compelling evidence to show us that Thimerosol is harmful, there most certainly isn't any evidence showing us that it's effects are safe. 

References:
1) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1280369
2) http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.7712

Low FODMAP Diet

Who can the low FODMAP diet help?  Reportedly, the low FODMAP diet can help those suffering from IBS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.  Most recently I heard that it *may* be helpful for those with gastroparesis or funtional dyspepsia.

What does FODMAP mean?  FODMAP is an acronym that stands for: Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.  These are names for a collection of molecules found in foods that cause digestion issues for some people.

What foods have FODMAPS?  

• Fructose: Honey, Apples, Mango, Pear, Watermelon, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids.
• Fructans: Artichokes (Globe), Artichokes(Jerusalem), Asparagus, Beetroot, Chicory, Dandelion leaves, Garlic (in large amounts), Leek, Onion (brown, white, Spanish, onion powder), Raddicio lettuce, Spring Onion (white part), Wheat (in large amounts), Rye (in large amounts), Inulin, Fructo-oligosaccharides.
• Lactose: Milk, icecream, custard, dairy desserts, condensed and evaporated milk, milk powder, yoghurt, margarine, soft unripened cheeses (eg. ricotta, cottage, cream, marscarpone).
• Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS): Legume beans (eg. baked beans, kidney beans, bortolotti beans), Lentils, Chickpeas.
• Polyols: Apples, Apricots, Avocado, Cherries, Longon, Lychee, Nectarines, Pears , Plums, Prunes, Mushrooms, Sorbitol (420), mannitol (421), xylitol (967), maltitol (965) and Isomalt (953).

Why do these foods cause problems?  Since some people have trouble digesting the above mentioned foods, and the molecules travel past the small intestine to the large intestine.  Upon their arrival, they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally.  The bacteria digest/ferment the FODMAPS, which in turn causes unpleasant IBS-like symptoms.

Source for foodlist and information above:  http://shepherdworks.com.au

Low FODMAP Resources:

• About the low FODMAP diet
• Low FODMAP books
• Long list of FODMAP foods
• Foods to Avoid & Why
• Low FODMAP Shopping List
• When Everyday Foods Are Hard to Digest
• List of FODMAP friendly dieticians
• Symptom rating worksheet
• Food Diary
• FODMAP Diet Recipes
• The FODMAPS Approach
• Fructose Malabsorption & FODMAPS
• Recipes for low FODMAP dressings
• LowFODMAP.com

Next week I will feature a list of FODMAP friendly recipes, in addition to my own recipes.  I am only a few weeks into this diet, but I've found that a bit of creativity has kept in manageable so far.  I should also probably mention that I do NOT have IBS, but rather an undiagnosed functional GI disorder than I am in the process of figuring out.  It surfaced after a case of food poisoning, so there is some speculation as to what is causing the persistent symptoms (ie. a parasite, a newly developed food intolerance, post infectious gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, etc.).

Gastroparesis Series - Part IV: Nutrition Helpers

During a flare (or if you have a consistent case of severe GP) your body may become depleted of essential nutrients.  Adequate nutrition is a fundamental component of healing, and I've found some of these products to help me meet my needs:

• Coconut Milk - this is the base for my smoothies.  My nutritionist recommended the coconut milk because it has a bit of fat in it (about 5g) and she said that would help "carry me longer".  If you can't tolerate fat, rice milk and almond milk are healthy alternatives.
• Organic Rice Protein Powder - this is a necessary addition to my morning smoothie.  I am generally too nauseated to eat solids in the morning, so this helps add protein to my morning meal which helps give me the fuel I need to start my day.
• Fish Oil or Flax Oil - while this might sound strange, these oils do contain small amounts of fat (about 2-5 g) and can help get some "healthy fat" in you without having to eat a large portion that'll make you feel overly full.  There are certain kinds out there (ex. lemon flavored by Metagenics) that reduce the yucky "fish burp" side effect.  The flax oil by Barleans comes in a delicious strawberry banana flavor and can be easily added into a smoothie.
• Nano Greens - I have yet to be able to eat and/or digest green vegetables, so I've found this product to be a life saver in getting nutrition from veggies without actually having to eat them.
• Coconut Water - this is a great thing to have on hand if you can't keep much down or if you're dehydrated.  It contains 5 essential electrolytes, making it an excellent source for hydration purposes.  Additionally, it contains more potassium than a banana and is 100% natural- not to mention it tastes very refreshing!
• Sublingual Vitamin B Complex and D - these vitamins are essential for proper immune and neurological function.  They're extra easy to keep down since they're sublingual.

You might be wondering why I didn't add Boost or any of the more commonly known nutritional shakes out there to my list.... The primary reason for this is that I have an inflammatory condition that demands that I follow a dairy-free, sugar-free, low gluten, all-natural diet.  While it is a very diet to follow, I believe it has allowed my body to improve it's healing abilities.  Many of the commercially available drinks are very necessary for some people so I am not suggesting you shouldn't use them, but I avoid them because they have ingredients that are not consistent with my diet (ex. sugar, dairy, artificial colors and flavors, etc.).  

I'm sure I'll make more discoveries as time goes on and add more to this list- check back for updates!

*Just a reminder - I am NOT a doctor and this is not intended to be medical advice.  This information is based solely on my own personal experience and the information I have come across while dealing with my GP. *

Gastroparesis Series - Part III: Resources

Books:
Sadly, there are not many helpful books out there for the GP community.  Of the few that exist, these are the only two that had consistent good reviews.

• Eating for Gastroparesis: Guidelines, Tips, and Recipes by Crystal Zaborowski Saltrelli
• Living (Well!) with Gastroparesis by Crystal Zaborowski Saltrelli

Websites:
Websites for more information, resources, Q & A, and videos.

• G-PACT
• UVA Nutrition Series: Diet Intervention for Gastroparesis
• GICare
• Living Well With Gastroparesis

Online Support Groups and Communities:
Share your story and get feedback from others.

• MDJunction Gastroparesis Support Group
• Inspire (type in "gastroparesis" or "GI motility disorders"
• G-Pact on Facebook
• Living with Gastroparesis Community on Facebook

Diet Log for Tracking Possible Food Intolerance:

This can be a helpful step in figuring out "trigger foods" or subtle intolerances.  It could also be helpful to fill out this form if you are planning to see a dietician or nutritionist in the near future.  

• Food Diary from SheperdWorks

Gastroparesis Series - Part II: Natural Remedies

For my GP, I use a combination of the following herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes to get me through the day.  On tough days, pharmaceuticals are sometimes the only thing that help, and on really tough days even they don't do the trick.  Luckily, my GP is usually pretty well behaved and I can manage it with only minimal discomfort when I use the natural methods listed below.

• PEPPERMINT - peppermint is known to stimulate digestion and ease abdominal discomfort.  I usually drink a cup of Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint Tea each night after supper, and I generally take a few peppermint capsules between meals throughout the day.
• GINGER - ginger is a well known anti-nausea remedy and anti-inflammatory.  You can take this in the form of a tea, pill, or even a lozenge.  Personally, I like to drink a cup or so of Traditional Medicinals Ginger Aid Tea each day, and I also take a few Ginger/B6 Capsules (by Karuna).  There is some research that suggests that ginger in high doses (greater than 1200 mg) can help stimulate digestion.  Read more about ginger, here.
• DIGESTIVE ENZYMES - there are many to chose from, although I take a pretty basic chewable papaya enzyme.  Here is a similar formula, with a nice description of how the enzymes work.  
• DGL - this is licorice, with the glycyrrhizin component (that is known to raise blood pressure) removed.  It is said to be a great stomach soother and many people report great results for indigestion and upset stomach.  I use Enzymatic Therapy's unsweetened formula.  Read reviews of this formula on Vitacost.
• ALOE - I use the formula from Nutrametrix, in the strawberry-kiwi flavor and it is delicious!  This may be due to the fact that my first bottle of aloe juice from the Vitamin Shoppe tasted and smelled like a raw aloe plant, so I really had nowhere to go but up after that experience.  The formula from Nutrametrix is more like a juice and goes down quite easy.  I take a 2 oz "shot" on an empty stomach in the afternoon.  This product was recommended to me by my nutritionist.  I have not done an extensive amount of research on aloe, although she cautioned that many products have a laxative effect because they contain latex.  This product does NOT.  
• YOGA - there are several yoga poses that can help stimulate the digestive tract.  I love the Gaiam DVD, "Yoga Remedies for Natural Healing" because it contains an 8 minute chapter that includes yoga poses for indigestion.  Watch it for free on Hulu.  You can also check out the article "10 Yoga Poses to Improve Your Digestion" on Care2.  There are pictures and descriptions to help explain the poses.
• MEDITATION & RELAXATION - stress has a nasty effect on your GI function, so it is very important to try to find some balance in your life.  I know that chronic pain can cause a vicious cycle of stress and anxiety, but it is important to try to do what you can to lessen your stress.  In some scenarios, this may just mean accepting that there is nothing that you can do and going into survival mode until a flare comes to an end.  In other scenarios, this might mean doing daily guided relaxations or meditating daily to keep the stress levels low.  Do what's right for you at the time.  For a list of free podcasts that are great for helping with pain and providing nice guided relaxations, check out this old post. 
• WALKING - I try to take a walk at least once a day.  This is a great way to get a little exercise, some fresh air, and to get that digestive tract stimulated.

While I know it is far from a cure, I hope that this information is helpful for some of you suffering from GP!

Gastroparesis Series - Part I: The Basics

What is gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents, despite the fact that there is no mechanical blockage. (1)  When you have GP, the stomach muscles don't work properly so food is not propelled through your digestive tract like it should be. In many cases, it's assumed that this results from damage to the vagus nerve. (2)

How do you get gastroparesis?
The vagus nerve can be damaged by stomach surgery, or diabetes.  Other causes or risk factors for developing GP include infection, eating disorders, sclerodoma, Parkinson's, hypothyroidism, certain cancer treatments and certain medications.  In many cases people develop idiopathic gastroparesis, meaning that the cause is unknown.

What are the treatments for gastroparesis?
The most common treatment for GP is the use of motility drugs, such as Reglan or Motilium.  It is also often recommended that GP sufferers eat a low fat/low fiber diet and consume several small meals throughout the day.

There are more invasive options out there that are usually reserved for those with the more severe cases of GP.  These options include surgery, botox injections, or the use of a stomach pacemaker.  Many GP patients also need anti-emetic drugs (to help control the frequent nausea that often accompanies GP) and pain management drugs (to help control the pain that frequently is associated with GP). (2)
__________________________________________________________________________________
In part II of this series, I will be discussing some natural alternatives that can help to manage symptoms of gastroparesis.

*Note: I am NOT a doctor.  I am sharing information that I've found from my own research and/or personal experience.  Nothing listed here is intended to be or replace medical advice from your doctor.


Sources:
1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001342/
2) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastroparesis/DS00612

Healthy Shopping Online

I often use Vitacost as my site of choice for ordering vitamins & supplements.  Their prices are great and their free or low rate shipping is an added appeal.  In an effort to go "more organic" this year, I recently browsed their organic food selection.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some of my favorites, in addition to some new things I'd like to try out as well.

• Organicville Barbeque Sauce - naturally sweetened with agave (not sugar), you'd never even know this was a natural product.  The sweet and tangy flavor is delicious!
  
• Annie's Organic Dijon Mustard - add some zip to your favorite dish with organic mustard.  Our recipe of choice is mustard & maple glazed salmon.
  
• Organic Dried Apricots - Apricots are a great source of fiber and iron.  They're a great addition to any stir fry, or tasty on their own as an afternoon snack.  
  
• Eden Organic Juice-Sweetened Cranberries - Cranberries are a great addition to salads, snack mixes, and chicken or turkey dishes.  The great thing about these cranberries are that they're naturally sweetened with juice, so they don't have any added sugar.  
  
• Organic Sundried Tomatoes - are a great addition to any pasta dish. 
  
• Lavender & Lemon Scented Natural Hand Sanitizer (regular & travel size) - made with 62% organic ingredients and a blend of essential oils.  According to Women's Voices for the Earth, many commercial hand sanitizers contain hormone disrupting chemicals.  This is a great way to kill germs, while ensuring that you're using the purest formula to do so.
  

For Healthcare Workers: Vaccinations & Your Rights

For many healthcare workers it is now "required" that you receive the flu shot.  I personally believe that it should be one's right to choose what they put in their body and that no employer should require vaccination.  That said, here are some links that can help you object to the annual flu vaccine requirement:

• If you work in a healthcare facility, this page on the CDC website will tell you whether you are able to use a medical, philosophical, or religious exemption.  For Marylanders, the site lists the following info:
• For Maryland, for religious exemptions to the immunization requirements of MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.12 (regarding rubella) and MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.15 (regarding rubella), see MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.12 and MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.15. MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.12 and MD. Regs. Code tit. 10, § 06.01.15 provide that if a worker objects to the immunization on the grounds that it conflicts with the worker’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices, the hospital shall grant a religious exemption. 
• Source: http://www.vaccinerights.com/healthcareworkers.html

• According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), under the heading "Reasonable Accommodation & Religion", it indicates:
• The law requires an employer to reasonably accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would cause difficulty or expense for the employer. This means an employer may have to make reasonable adjustments at work that will allow the employee to practice his or her religion, such as allowing an employee to voluntarily swap shifts with a co- worker so that he or she can attend religious services.
• Source: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/index.cfm

• Title VII
• Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act requires employers to reasonably accommodate their employees' religious beliefs, as long as it does not cause undue hardship.
• Source: http://answers.flu.gov/questions/4766

• MD Health General  Code Ann. § 18-403:
• HEALTH-GENERAL 

                   TITLE 18. DISEASE PREVENTION                    SUBTITLE 4. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
                   Md. HEALTH-GENERAL Code Ann. § 18-403 (2007)
                   § 18-403. Religious exemption

• (a) In general. -- Unless the Secretary declares an emergency or disease epidemic, the Department may not require the immunization of an individual if:
• (1) The individual objects to immunization because it conflicts with the individual's bona fide religious beliefs and practices; or
• (2) The individual is a minor and the individual's parent or guardian objects to immunization because it conflicts with the parent or guardian's bona fide religious beliefs and practices.
• (b) Rules and regulations. -- The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations for religious exemptions under this section.
• Source: http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/maryland.aspx

Additional Resources:

• For additional information, see Maryland Immunization Exemption Information.
• For a doctor that will not judge you for choosing to opt out of getting vaccinated, check out http://novaxdoctors.webs.com/
• National Vaccine Information Center
• The Canary Party
• Dr. Tempenny's Website

Japanese Knotweed (Resveratrol)

After reading Stephen Buhner's book, "Healing Lyme", I've decided to give some of the recommended herbs a try.  My first herbal trial will be with Resveratrol.  Stephen recommends that the herb comes from Japanese Knotweed (and is not the red wine source).  After searching and searching to find the right product, I've settled on Japanese Knotweed from Dragon Botanicals.  What I like about Reseveratrol is that it has immune modulating properties, which can be helpful for a variety of conditions.  It's also good that it can regulate the immune system if it was over on under active.  What I didn't like about the antibiotics is that the idea there was just "kill, kill, kill".  The problem is, they were killing everything.  The bad bacteria, the good bacteria, and my immune system.  As someone who has been on and off antibiotics for over two years, I am definitely not against antibiotics for Lyme, but I feel that at this point in my treatment it is necessary for me to take a step back from the antibiotics.  I will definitely post my progress and my experience with the new herbal protocol.  You can read more about this protocol on Stephen's website.

According to the book, "Healing Lyme", Buhner indicates that the actions of Japanese Knotweed are as follows: antibacterial, antiviral, antischistosomal, antispirochetal, antifungal, immunostimulant, immunomodulant, antiinflammatory, angiogenesis modulator, central nervous system relaxant, central nervous system protectant and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiathersclerotic, antihyperlipidemic, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antineoplastic, vasodilator, inhibits platlet aggregation, inhibits eicosanoid synthesis, antithrombotic, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, oncogene inhibitor, antipyretic, cardioprotective, analgesic, antiulcer, hemostatic, and astringent. (1)

Reference:
1) Buhner, Stephen. (2005) Healing Lyme. Silver City: Raven Press.

My Favorite Products for the Cold & Flu Season

These are my must-haves during the cold and flu season.  In my opinion, they cut your healing time in half!  Zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C are all essentials for boosting the immune system and helping to protect against free radicals.

Gypsy Cold Care by Traditional Medicinals - uses pharmacopoeial quality herbs to create a healing blend.

Nature's Way Zinc Lozenges - tasty, sweetened with stevia, and a great way to protect yourself against free radicals during the winter.

Zand Echinacea & Zinc Herbalozenge - these taste great and have no cane sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey - mix with tea or eat it raw to coat your throat.

Solgar Esater-C (500mg) - Ester-C is more easily absorbed by the body, so it increases the chance that your body will get the most from this vitamin.

Detox & Disease

Detoxification seems to be such an important component in battling Lyme disease or any chronic illness.  If your detox pathways are blocked, then you are essentially "spinning your wheels".  You want to make sure this is not the case, and that your body is functioning at max capacity.  Here are some suggestions for implementing detox into your regimen.

Products, services, & Things to try at home:

• Infared Sauna - These saunas warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight, but without the side effects of the sun.  This heat therapy increases circulation and stimulates the sweat glands that cleanse and detoxify the skin.  These saunas have also been reported to reduce pain and speed up the healing process.  Read about the 7 benefits of using an infared sauna.  Looking to buy one for home use?  Check out these portable devices [link 1, link 2] (I am in no way endorsing these, they have just been recommended by others).
• Lymphatic Drainage - This is a type of massage that helps to stimulate the lymphatic system.  Many people with Lyme and other chronic illnesses (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc.) have found it to be very helpful in their recovery.  Read more about lymph drainage.
• Skin Brushing - our skin is responsible for 25% of our detoxification each day.  Body brushing stimulates the lymphatic system so the lymph can circulate through out the body and travel back to the large vessels for excretion.  Read more about skin brushing.
• Epsom Salt & Baking Soda Baths - These help to remove toxins from your skin.  Add 1-2 cups of salts or 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda and soak for 20-30 minutes.
• Lemon Juice Tea - A lemon has 3x the amount of vitamin C as an orange.  Juice one lemon and pour it into a mug.  Add boiling water and a pinch of stevia.  Drink up!
• Smilax - Many naturopaths and herbalists report that Smilax assists in binding neurotoxins to help remove them from your system more quickly and efficiently.  I use the formula from RestorMedicine, although I'm sure there are plenty of other formulas out there.
• Green Drinks - a green powder with chlorophyll is great for helping your body to cleanse itself of toxins.  I really like Nanogreens, they've even got 10 servings of fruits & veggies mixed right in.

Some Helpful Articles (Thanks to the MDJunction Community for bringing these articles to my attention) about Lyme disease and detoxification:

• Detoxification is a vital part of the Lyme cure
• Detoxification is important during Lyme treatment
• Cleansing Neurotoxin Overload

In A Treatment Rut

I've been going back and forth as to what the next move in my treatment plan should be.  It seems that my body is getting sick of antibiotics- or perhaps it's just getting sick... I'm not really sure.  Since my recent bout of gastritis is really limiting the amount of healthy food I can consume, I get nervous about adding too much to my regimen.  As I see it now, here are my options:

1) Detox.  My naturopath recommended a 30-day gentle homeopathic regimen by Heel.  My body has been through a lot and has had a lot of medicine (antibiotics, antiparasitics, etc.) going into from a long period of time.  It might need a thorough cleaning....

2) Go natural.  I've been reading more about Stephen Buhner's protocol.  I've been on Cat's claw in the past and seemed to have good results.  I'm also interested in trying Teasel root after reading some of the literature on it's healing properties.  I've been on Smilax for a while now, and it seems that these three herbs combined could be quite a nice cocktail.

3) Resume the hardcore meds.  I feel that I prematurely stopped taking antibiotics before, and I relapsed...  Therefore, I'm scared of the same thing happening again.  Some experts say that you should remain on antibiotics until you are symptom-free for three months.  I am most certainly not symptom-free, and I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable taking antibiotics for as long as it may take to rid my symptoms.  BUT- I will say that my fatigue and upper back have improved since being on the antibiotic injections.  The other reason I am considering this option is because I have yet to take a cyst buster (which is necessary to kill Lyme in it's cyst form, which it often morphs into to "hide" from the body or antibiotics) while on the injections.  I think this would be a very potent, but potentially useful treatment combination.  I would need do it for at least a few months for it to be effective (since the borrelia life cycle is every 3-4 weeks).

So.... those are the options I'm left with.  For now, I think I will let my stomach call the shots.  Hopefully as that continues to heal, I'll be able to decide which one of these avenues I'm ready to take.  Ideally, I'd like to incorporate all of the above, my main concern for now is where to start.  One reason I'm leaning toward the antibiotic route is because I'd like to just power through it for a few more months and then be done with it.  Not that it will be the end of my treatment, but I'd like to be done with antibiotics.  I think my body will need to be rebalanced once I'm done killing off all of the good and bad bacteria in my body, and I'm anxious to start doing that.  It's my true belief that the body must be balanced to heal itself, and I'm looking forward to getting "balanced".

Being Smart about the Natural Approach

Many people are skeptical when it comes to treating things naturally, although it seems that may be starting to slowly change.  More and more people are reporting more failures with conventional treatments and are left to look to alternative approaches to address their needs.  Since the internet is often filled with conflicting information, here are some reliable resources to set you on the right track when treating things more naturally.

Some resources worth checking out if you're interested in a more natural or comprehensive approach:

Learn about natural medicine:

• Medline Plus - search specific herbs & supplements to find out about potential risks, drug interactions, and proven effectiveness

Find a Naturopath:

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians - Click on "Find a Doctor"

Find a doctor who practices integrative medicine:

• American College for Advancement in Medicine - Click on "Health Resources" to locate a doctor in your area

Find alternative healthcare providers:

• Medfinds - Enter your search criteria and find a local practitioner or therapist

Find a massage therapist:

• Upledger Institute - click on massage specialties (ex. craniosacral, etc.) to find a practitioner

What is EFT?

EFT stands for "Emotional Freedom Technique".  It is an alternative therapy to deal with stress, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.  It is said to be helpful for many with chronic illness.

My naturopath recently recommended EFT to help with PTSD associated with my Lyme disease.  Unfortunately, when you have multiple scary episodes (physically and/or emotionally) that do not respond to conventional treatments, you can be very traumatized by these events.  That trauma sets off a cycle of fearing the recurrence of the events.  Believe me- being in excruciating and crippling pain for prolonged periods of time (without relief by medication) can really mess with your head!  Even though I thought EFT looked a little crazy when I watched some YouTube videos about it, I still decided to give it a try.  I'll try anything at least once!

EFT is also commonly referred to as the "tapping technique".  Like in acupuncture, it taps into certain meridians, and it was actually referred as "acupuncture for the emotions" by my practitioner.  So basically, there are these points that you tap while reliving a trauma or saying a predetermined thought or phrase.  If you are working on overcoming a trauma, you start of by picturing that event before you begin tapping and you rate your emotions surrounding that event on a scale of 1-10.  Your practitioner will then guide you through the trauma going through a series of thoughts and emotions that you had during your experience.  After several rounds of tapping, you will then check back in with yourself and see if your original number has changed.  You continue this process until you have "cleared" this trauma or emotion.  Below is a diagram showing the tapping points:

Here is a site that features the above diagram and provides the various steps to completing EFT.  Below is a video that shows an example of tapping:



And here is my practitioner speaking about EFT:

Recipe of the Month - Immune Boosting Raw Smoothie

I might be a little overly ambitious for starting a recipe of the week post (and it may change to recipe of the month if I can't keep up), but I'm going to give it a try.  Mainly because I'm really trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet and we frequently get items from our CSA share that we don't know what to do with.  This recipe serves 2-4, so I highly recommend reducing the amount of ingredients if you're only making one for yourself.

Ingredients:
-2 apples, cored (I peel them, not sure if that is necessary though)
-2 ripe pears, cored (again, I peel them too)
-1-2 cups of water (preferably filtered)
-2 lemons, juiced
-1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled & sliced
-5 kale leaves, rinsed & torn
-1/2 - 1 cup of baby spinach
-chopped or shredded cabbage

1. Blend apple, pear, water, and lemon until smooth and creamy.
2. Add ginger, kale, baby spinach, and cabbage and blend until smooth.
3. Add water for a thinner consistency.  Add an extra pear or apple if it isn't sweet enough for you.

Tips & Modifications: 

*I've never used kale for this recipe because I've yet to find organic kale at a local grocery store.  

*Since the smoothie is room temperature, you might want to add some ice cubes or a few frozen berries to make it cool like a smoothie should be!  

*Don't skip the ginger- it aids your body in easily digesting this raw smoothie.

I know this might not sound like the most delicious smoothie, but I assure you it is quite tasty.  A necessity for the cold & flu season or for an every day energy boost.  The greens offer powerful phytochemicals, the cabbage is a potent food that affects many pathways in the body, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and the lemon is rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Image: gameanna / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walk

Sponsor JESSICA CASSITY in AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walks

I've signed-up to participate in a Melanoma Walk/Run to raise money for melanoma research and awareness.

This cause is very important to me because II will be walking in memory of my best friend, Laura Gillespie. Laura lost her 5 year long battle with Melanoma on May 10th of this year, at the young age of 30.

I've pledged to raise at least $500 this year, but to do this, I need your help! Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation so I can reach my goal.

Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the United States and worldwide. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25-30. One person dies every 60 minutes from melanoma. You have less than a 10% chance of surviving 5 years when Melanoma is not caught in the early stages. And, there is no effective medical therapy for metastatic melanoma.

I'm taking on this challenge to do something big that will increase awareness and support research for the CURE. No one deserves to suffer and lose their life at such a young age like Laura. So, please help support this cause!

Thank you so much for you kindness, compassion, and support.

Sincerely,

Jessica

Ticks & Lyme Disease

I probably should've done a post like this at the beginning of the summer, but we're headed off to go camping this weekend so I figured I should do some research about tick removal.  I've acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge about Lyme over the years, but it's primarily been focused on symptoms and treatment.  I know (from my own personal experience) that prevention and awareness are key factors... if you don't catch it early or get the proper treatment then you're likely in for a long road to recovery!

Below I've listed the 5 states with the highest incidence rates of Lyme.  Before doing that, I must mention that this information is coming from the CDC website, which is said to be highly unreliable and that the reported rates are 10 times lower than the actual number of cases (so these numbers should be multiplied by 10!).  Having said that, here are the figures for 2009:

1) Pennsylvania = 5,722
2) New York = 5,651
3) Massachusetts = 5,256
4) New Jersey = 4,973
5) Connecticut = 4,153

Although the above listed states appear to have the highest incidence rates, you can get Lyme ANYWHERE.  Cases have been confirmed in every single state!  Click here to see an interactive map of the incidence rates in the dog population.  It lets you enter your zip code and check the incidence for your county.  Be aware that they also mention that the rates are probably much higher due to underreporting!

So..... what do you do if a tick decides to latch on to you?

Here is a great video on tick removal:

And you can also check out this great step-by-step guide on how to remove a tick on the CALDA website.

Some prevention tips:

• don't sit on tree stumps or lean up against trees
• wear light colored clothing, ideally long sleeves and pants
• tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks
• when camping or hiking, walk in the middle of paths
• consider using DEET (if you feel comfortable with it's chemical content)
• do a tick check daily, and for several days after exposure to an environment that might have ticks
• put your clothes in the dryer (on high) for an hour after exposure

Read more about prevention and tick removal over at CALDA.

A recipe for a make-your-own tick removal kit:

• sandwich bag
• gloves
• pointed tweezers
• alcohol pads
• bandaids
• neosporin 
• another sandwich bag (in case you want to save the tick)

Or you can click here to order a tick removal kit from the Lyme Disease Foundation.