Be Well Blog

Brian Whyte, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Why I Do What I Do:

The sound of a swimmers voice called from across the pool deck, "Hey Brain, can you stretch me out before my race?"  This was a common occurrence back in High School when I was on the Greenwich High swim team.  I was in high demand at each meet.   I just instinctively knew how the body moved and what it needed to be more efficient.  You could say I had a special touch, a heightened understanding.  
 
Being an athlete and being active drives me.  It was my participation in sports that afforded an appreciation for how the body moves and how I can control or improve that movement.

I devoted more and more time to developing a better understanding of the body, which led me to a love of medicine.  I wanted to help those who were injured and ill to regain normalcy in their lives.   Becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy allowed me to embrace my strong suites of caring, motivating, and one-one personalized attention.     

My work as a Physical Therapist is driven by my desire to give the highest level of individualized care.   In many fast paced rehabilitative settings a patient is lost in the daily shuffle, left to wonder, "Am I doing this correctly?"  My intention is to guide and teach each patient how he or she can best meet the demands of their desired lifestyle.  Practices include postural correction, strength training, normalizing restricted mobility, and obtaining proper flexibility and balance.  For some this may result in living pain free, able to work and spend quality time with their families. For others it may provide the ability to participate on local sport teams or in races.  For some it could simply mean being able to get out of bed on their own each morning.  

My work leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I have had a true an impact on my patients’ lives and can improve their quality of life.

Gail Yurman, Licensed massage Therapist

Why I Do What I Do

After working in the corporate world for over 20 years, in 2003 I made the decision to follow my passion to help others experience the benefits of massage and enrolled in massage school, at the ripe young age of 40!

When I was a child I was diagnosed with a mild case of scoliosis, curvature of the spine. Nonetheless, I was active and participated in many sports.  I had my first professional massage when I was 18 years old. I was home on a college break suffering from pinched nerves in my neck and terrible low back pain.  A friend suggested I see his chiropractor, who recommended that, in conjunction with his therapy, I get a professional massage from the therapist in his group. That massage greatly increased the mobility in my neck and I felt tremendously energized when the session was over.  

From that time forward, I have used massage to manage stress, reduce anxiety and fatigue.  Regular massage therapy has also given me improved concentration, greater flexibility, a calmer heart, and increased energy, not to mention so many fewer aches and pains!  I love being a massage therapist and am so delighted that my work brings these same benefits to my clients. 

I incorporate a lifetime of knowledge into my massage practice, utilizing my intuition and personal experiences, as well as formal training.  An initial intake interview with each new client helps determine your level of wellness and therapy goals, and together we create a plan to reach those goals. Your session with me should be as unique as you are.

To make an appointment with Gail call The Center at 203.708.9299

Do I Really Need Detoxification?

Pollution As A Way Of Life

Now more than ever, living in the United States means being exposed to thousands of chemicals and environmental pollutants.  Although most pollutants are commercially produced, some occur naturally, and both are on the rise especially in metropolitan areas. Imagine the increased toxic load in the NYC air since 9/11.  Many pollutants are not obvious, like additives in our food and water supplies, and the over-use of antibiotics and other prescription medications. Our overindulgence in food, alcohol, and tobacco also increases our toxic load.

We are so used to living in a toxic world that we don't often stop to recognize the sources or long and short term effects.  Consider this: The Consumer Product Safety Commission has identified 150 chemicals in the home linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities, the most dangerous coming from common cleaning products that are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution.  Ironically, we use most of these products to kill germs in order to keep us and our families well. 

Our bodies are constantly bombarded by pollutants present in our air, water, soil, food, clothing, furniture, carpeting, paints, and the list goes on.  Our exposure to toxins can be internally generated as well. “Natural Pollutants” include stress and sedentary lifestyles, which place a burden on our internal organs. Here's another eye-opening statistic: recent research suggests that 80-90% of visits to primary care physicians are stress related.

TOXIC SYMPTOMS  An overload of toxic exposure can manifest in a number of ways: headaches, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, irritability, depression, mental confusion, fibromyalgia, gas, bloating, heartburn, poor digestion, cardiovascular irregularities, weight gain, flu-like symptoms, or allergic reactions including hives, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and even food allergies. And these are only some of the more benign results!

In addition to these symptoms, it has been suggested that toxic overload may also contribute to more serious conditions such as autoimmune disease including inflammatory and rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease, liver disease and cancer.

Our bodies are smart and come equipped with tools to filter toxins from our systems.  However, the high levels of heavy metals and poisons that invade our days cannot be discarded fast enough to maintain optimal health.  Simply put, most of the chemicals borne of the modern age and the desire to improve—and add ease to our lifestyles—are making us sick.  Sick and tired. 

THERE IS HOPE  In spite of how horrible this all sounds, there are ways to re-balance, and even “re-generate" your bodies!  In other words, all hope is not lost. This program is going to teach you how to detoxify and get your health and your life back in balance.

Sweet News About Chocolate

If you love chocolate, and who doesn’t, go for the dark.  Studies have shown that dark chocolate is actually good for us.  One heroic element in dark chocolate is cocoa phenols which helps lower high blood pressure.  Chocolates made in Europe are generally richer in cocoa phenols than those made in the U.S.  Another is flavanols, antioxidants that help repair damage done by free radicals, and help prevent arteries from becoming blocked by blood platelets.
Milk added to chocolate negates the helpful nature of the cocoa bean and white chocolate really isn’t chocolate at all.
All dark chocolates are not created equal.  Cocoa contents can vary from 10 percent to as high as 94 percent per bar.  Processing methods can lower flavanol levels so aim for a minimum of 60 percent cocoa.  The higher the cocoa levels the deeper the flavor is as well.  Quality chocolate is made with cocoa butter and milk fat.  If vegetable oil or hydrogenated oil is included, skip it.  Also check the label for zero trans-fats.  And remember, even though it has healthy elements, dark chocolate is still high in calories, on average 250 calories per 1.5 ounces – about the size of a 1/3 inch of business cards.  (OK, not the whole bar, but I’ll take it!) 
All this label reading can feel like a drag, but it’s so worth it.  You not only get to eat chocolate guilt -free, but your health benefits as well.  Plus, if you give your Valentine the “good” chocolate, you may receive hugs rather than a whack on the head with the box.  

The Power Of Gratitude

As a child I was never a very picky eater, but there were certain things that I just couldn’t stomach, including brussels sprouts.  I would do anything to avoid them.  When I tried to leave them or a similarly disliked food untouched, I would be told to eat everything on my plate because there were poor, starving children in Africa with no food at all who would be very happy to have brussels sprouts.

I couldn’t really figure out how my eating the food they were missing out on, or even pretending to enjoy it, helped the kids in Africa so finally one day I asked, with complete sincerity, why we didn’t just send the brussels sprouts to Africa.  My mom looked at me thoughtfully, and said, “You know, that’s a good point.”  I never had to eat brussels sprouts again and boy was I grateful.

Of course my mom had a point too.  She was trying to teach me the importance of being appreciative, a necessary attribute for truly recognizing and enjoying the goodness in our lives.  It also allows us to value and support the best efforts of those who contribute to our daily wellbeing. 

Forcing me to eat food I truly found to be foul, however, wasn’t going to teach me these qualities.  Acknowledging that I had choices beyond brussels sprouts helped me become more appreciative.  Knowing we are fortunate, or even fortunate enough, is key to knowing how to be happy.

Many cultures, including the one my mother grew up in, fostered an understanding of gratitude as a kind of talisman woven of fear and superstition.  Because life could always be worse, being grateful for what one had could possibly advert that unknown “worse” from happening.  And if one “suffered gladly,” they may even be more respected by a higher power.

There certainly is truth to the notion that things could always be worse.  Life is filled with a flow of ups and downs, joy and suffering, ying and yang.  However, gratitude is really more about “living gladly,” than enduring pain with a smile.  True gratitude is a powerful way to not only successfully mine the opportunities within any given situation, be it deemed good or bad at the time, it’s also a powerful means for creating more ups than downs in our daily lives.  Gratitude empowers us to be co-creators of our lives.

For many of us, our memories of things long past or of the day we just finished, are dominated by more negative thoughts than positive ones, especially in contentious and trying times.   “Practicing gratitude,” means interrupting this flow of negative thoughts to allow room for positive events to be recognized and given their due.  Going to bed thinking of all the good things that happened that day is a better habit that not only brings peace of mind, but also better sleep and thus better health, not to mention a better next day.  Successfully shifting our focus upon positives also alters one’s perspective enough to give more credence to the possibilities that exist in situations or events that were habitually perceived as negatives. 

By choosing to allow joy to be a prominent and powerful presence in our conscious and unconscious thoughts, we are not eradicating hardships or glossing over pain.  Instead, gratitude helps us create and invest more energy in positive realities, which goes forward to create and foster more positive realities and thus more joyful lives.  We also have then more “capable energy” and hope when hardships do occur.

By focusing on what we love and enjoy, and recognizing its worth through gratitude, we bring a healthy peace and wellbeing to our bodies and souls, and to those around us with whom we share our appreciation.

Learning to rethink how we see our situations can take practice. Here’s an exercise that can be helpful and fun.

Ask yourself how many red cars drove past your house today?  Inevitably, you’ll say you don’t have any idea.  You can’t know because you weren’t looking for red cars.  Gratitude is like keeping an eye out for red cars, or whatever positive happy moments and occurrences are your own “red cars,” and giving them not just a nod of recognition, but also allowing the good feelings they create to sink in and stay with you.   The definition of your “red cars” could also begin to grow.  You may empower yourself to decide that maroon cars contain lot more red than you had noticed before, and silver cars are certainly red when something red reflects and shines off of them. 

Basic physics prove that what has more energy invested in it simply has more energy, and thus more power.  Practical logic and experience tells us the same.  Gratitude is a means of celebrating the good in our lives, and thus imbuing it with the energy to flourish, and for us to flourish with it.

Philosopher and author, Dr. Jean Houston has written, “At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of possibilities.”  Gratitude is one type of this laughter.  Be it broad and obvious or a reverent, inner observation, the universe hears it and responds.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Michele Russell

What My Family & I Are Doing To Prevent The Flu

Hi Everyone,

This morning I spoke to a patient who recently saw a friend of hers at a party who works in the pharmaceutical industry. When she asked him about the H1N1 vaccine he responded, "In my opinion its a bunch of BS.  We just saw a huge opportunity to make a lot of money."  

After hearing how many families from my daughter's class are getting sick right now, and running into a fellow class parent and friend today who shared her anxiety about the potential effect on her child with asthma, I felt an obligation to write further about this.  (And I've re-written this 3 times already, and decided to spare you my diatribe about special interest groups and mis-information, and just give you the facts). 
 
How much have you heard from the mainstream media about effective ways you can protect yourself and your family from the swine flu, or ANY flu, naturally, without exposing anyone to a vaccine that may turn out to be more toxic than the flu itself?  Not much.  This really disturbs me because there is so much you can do.  And just to be clear, I am sharing what I have found to be really successful for my own family.

Here's what my family and I are doing to prevent/treat swine flu (and any flu), right now:

1. High-dose Vitamin D3*:  (Google it for its anti-viral & asthma-lessening effects!)

Adults: for prevention, 5,000 iu per day; (if coming down with illness, 50,000 iu per day for 3 days, then drop back down to 5,000 iu per day). 

I am exposed to many sick people through my practice (including H1N1), so I take 10,000 iu per day for prevention; & 50,000 iu per day for 3 days, at first signs of illness.

My children, Pia & Chloe, take: 4,000 iu per day for prevention, 10,000 iu for 3 days, in acute illness.

* Many people in Northern climates are D3 deficient!  Blood titres will show levels.  Some scientists believe the yearly flu is a side effect of vitamin D3 deficiency.  If you think of how little we've seen the sun this spring and summer, it ties in with the early incidence of colds and flus this season, perhaps with the added threat of the swine flu.  Think about it,  usually 1/2 hour of sunlight exposure will create 10,000 iu of vitamin D3 through your skin!  These numbers really illustrate how pitiful the RDA is for D3 (only 400 iu per day), especially in the months without a lot of strong sun.  Here's a great site for more information: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ 

2. Triple Flu Defense: This liquid homeopathic remedy is reformulated every year to be most active against the current flu viruses!  Our whole family takes it using these dosages: prevention = 20 drops 1x week.  When ill, 20 drops 4x day.

3. K-PAX Fuel of Life: Formulated by Jon Kaiser, MD and shown to boost white blood cell activity over 27% even in active AIDS patients, these capsules are one of the strongest natural anti-viral remedies available.  Laura & Evers: dosage for prevention = 4 caps 2x day and when ill, 8 caps 2x day. Pia & Chloe, 1/2 the adult dose.

We also take a number of homeopathic and Anthroposophical remedies if we are ill - which are specific for the person who is ailing. 

It doesn't happen often, but Chloe did became ill with a flu last Friday night.  I am certain it was due to the fact that we were out of Vitamin D and Triple Flu Defense and she had gone without them for a week.  I got home Saturday afternoon with a re-supply of theses remedies, which she began taking right away.  Her fever broke Sunday morning & she went to bed Sunday night about 60% better.

Fear is the worst thing for your and your children's health.  However, prevention begins with forethought, something my daughter's recent illness is a vivid illustration of. 

If you wish to begin providing your family with the same course of preventative, natural remedies that I trust to keep my own family well, contact our office at (203) 708-9299 and order your supply. 

Warmest regards!

Evers

PS. To help you and your family get a NATURAL head start against the flu, we're offering these three products at a 10% discount until the end of November.

The Swine Flu: Cutting Through The Hype

• Doctors and nurses are refusing to be vaccinated because the new vaccine has a strong potential to be more harmful than the flu itself! Read Why.

• Nine reasons why you should not allow your child to get the swine flu vaccine. Plus an important Fox News interview with an Infectious Disease Expert. See it, read it here.

• What's in that flu shot? Facts, stats, and details plus an in-depth interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock. Find it here.

• Our recommendations for boosting your immune system naturally. Here's How.

• Frequently asked questions answered by Dr. C. Evers Whyte about the swine flu and natural prevention methods. Read them here.

 

• Why do we get more colds and flus during autumn and winter?  New ideas for prevention using principles of Eastern medicine.

Integrated Medicine Explained Part II: Homeopathic Medicine

In last month's newsletter we promised to provide you with more specific details about the different practices that contribute to Integrated Medicine.  Our first article, still available on our web site, explores the theories behind mind-body medicine.  This month we will provide you with a better understanding of Homeopathic medicine.  We hope our articles provide insights and information while inspiring deeper investigation, and we welcome your questions or comments.
 

Homeopathic Origins
Known documentation of the core principles of homeopathic medicine dates back as far as writings by Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.).  In 1796 German physician C. F. Samuel Hahnemann developed these principals into a system of medicine that he called "Homeopathy."  His research was so extensive and thorough that it is considered by modern medicine to be the first ever "clinical trials."  What Hippocrates and Hahnemann couldn't know was that their theories were actually based upon advanced science, known to us today as Quantum Physics, which recognizes the interchangeability of matter and energy.

Homeopathic Medicine In Practice
Homeopathic medicine's fundamental healing principles are based upon the "law of similars," otherwise known as "like cures like," and the ability of the body's natural energetic forces to be stimulated to positively affect the body's "matter."  Homeopathy maintains that this vital force has the ability to react and adapt to internal and external causes, and can be empowered to eradicate illnesses through the physical introduction of artificial symptoms similar to those of a given disease

Resolution of an illness occurs when the sick individual is given a small dose of a medicine capable of producing symptoms similar to those of their disease.  The immune system's response is thus energetically enhanced to promote healing and optimal health. 
 

Remedies As A Mirror
One way to better understand how Homeopathic remedies work is to imagine having a virus or disease prevalent enough to have "stunned" or overwhelmed your immune system.  In other words, your ailment is winning the battle, becoming chronic or worse.  Through the introduction of specific Homeopathic remedies your immune system is reawakened.  As if peering into a mirror, your body's physical and energetic self "sees" the symptoms more clearly.  Through this renewed recognition, your immune system is more capable of defending you against the disease itself.
 
Used As Prevention
The same principals of stimulating the immune system apply when using Homeopathic remedies to prevent illness.  Sensing the symptoms, the immune system strengthens its defenses against that illness or virus in advance of external exposure.
 
Different From A Vaccine
It is vital to understand that unlike vaccines, homeopathic remedies do not contain diseases, dangerously toxic heavy metals, or squalene oil adjuvants used by pharmaceuticals to transmit the vaccine into your body.  Homeopathic remedies are water based solutions of greatly diluted natural elements that only replicate symptoms.  You can read more about the dangers of vaccines by clicking on the links contained in this issue's article, "Swine Flu: Cutting Through The Hype" .
 
Recognized And Accepted
The American Institute of Homeopathy describes its medical specialty as a scientific, therapeutic method which embodies a philosophy of understanding people and illness in a holistic context with the goal of promoting optimal health and healing, based upon the FDA recognized Homeopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States.
We agree, which is why Homeopathy is one of the elements of our integrated, holistic, family practice.

Integrative Medicine Explained

By Dr. C. Evers Whyte

What is “Integrated Medicine?”  Ask ten different doctors this question and you might get 10 different answers.  It’s an exciting topic in that new findings are being published every day about how the success of medical outcomes are  improving through integrating different therapies, protocols and even medical paradigms.

My answer is this: Integrated Medicine is a model through which a physician or therapist first looks at a person who is coming for help, asks themselves, “What does this person need to become whole again?” and then uses any and every tool and resource available to facilitate that healing process.  It is more than the combined use of various “conventional” and “alternative” therapies, but aims to access deeper levels of our consciousness.  For example, a hug could be clinically described as, “two persons wrapping their arms around each other and squeezing,” but we all know this explanation lacks the true essence of what a hug is all about!

To begin to understand and appreciate the “process” of Integrated Medicine we first have to appreciate that while our bodies are made of interconnected physical systems–cardiovascular, skeletal, endocrine, nervous, etc, we are more than the sum of these parts.  We are in actual fact, beings composed of integrated and interpenetrating Intelligences: body, mind, soul, and spirit.

To be healthy, we need all these aspects of our beings to be “aligned” and working harmoniously.  If there is dis-harmony, there is dis-ease.  As an Integrated Medical physician, I seek to align and integrate all effective medicinal modalities to heal all the integrated elements, or Intelligences, of your being.

The patient that comes into our office with fatigue and brain-fog may be suffering from iron-deficiency, anemia, or adrenal exhaustion, perhaps hypoglycemia, decreased melatonin production, or the reluctance to go through the natural process of grief at a loved-one’s death after a long illness.  As I work with the patient to find the root of her ailments, we may discover that a number of these diagnoses are correct, perhaps even all of them.  This patient doesn’t have a Prozac deficiency.  She may need a change in

Heart Disease in Women

A Preventable Killer 

Heart disease is the leading killer of women over the age of 25.  It kills nearly twice as many women in the US than all types of cancer combined, including breast cancer.  If you’re surprised by these numbers you’re not alone.  Only 13% of women believe heart disease is a threat to them.  Worse, a recent survey showed that less than half the doctors thought of heart disease as a major threat to women, and less than half the women receiving regular medical care say that their doctors have ever talked to them about reducing their risk of heart disease.

This underestimation, by women and their doctors, of the very real and severe danger of heart disease is a primary contributor to the high death toll because in most cases, with adequate awareness, heart disease is preventable.  This is worth repeating:  the disease that kills more women in the US than all cancers combined is in most cases preventable.

Preventing heart disease depends completely upon first acknowledging its threat and then educating one’s self to the various risk factors which can include high cholesterol, blood pressure, estrogen levels, heredity, diet, and lifestyle.   Does this list seem like too much to manage?  It’s not at all.  Most of the risk factors can be monitored through blood tests and all of the factors can be controlled by better, easy to follow, heart-healthy lifestyle habits. 

It is also important to know that the symptoms of heart disease displayed by women are significantly different than those presented by men.  Because they don’t display the “classic” symptoms of heart disease or a heart attack, women often go undiagnosed, or wait too long to seek medical help while having a heart attack.  Knowing the warning signs is as important as knowing how to prevent the disease to begin with.

At The Center For Health Renewal we strongly believe in empowered patients and advise women to take charge for their health through awareness, early diagnosis, and lifestyle management. 

Heart Disease In Women: Prevention Is The Best Medicine

Workshop Announcement

Heart disease kills nearly twice as many women in the US than all types of cancer combined, including breast cancer.  This statistic is stunning, especially because in most cases heart disease is completely preventable.  Join us and learn about risk factors, warning signs and easy to live with prevention methods.

WHAT:  An interactive discussion led by Brooke Davidson, D.O. (OB/GYN), with a special interest in preventative medicine.

WHEN:  Thursday, September 24th, 7:30 PM

WHERE:  The Center For Health Renewal, 30 Myano Lane, Suite, 26, Stamford, CT

HOW:  Please call to reserve a seat as space is limited:  (203) 708-9299 or email askdoctorwhyte@gmail.com

A $10 donation is suggested and will be given to The Women’s Heart Health Initiative at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City. Dress comfortably and bring a friend or two because awareness is lifesaving.  To learn more, visit www.TheCenterForHealthRenewal.com

What's For Breakfast?

 

Breakfast is key to starting your day feeling healthy and energetic. Whether you are focused on balancing your blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, losing weight, avoiding gluten and dairy, fighting off yeast or improving your mood and focus...the breakfast recommendations are basically the same!

1. Make sure to include protein. 
2. Minimize carbohydrates.
3. Include healthy fat and fiber if possible.

Ok, with those three points in mind, let's build a breakfast for you. I would like to encourage you to think outside the breakfast box! Forget about cereals, pancakes, waffles and the like. They are simply too high in carbohydrates, have a high glycemic index and, furthermore, tend to contain gluten (an all too common grain that many people can't eat).

Set aside American breakfast concepts, and those advertised on TV and start thinking of breakfast in a whole new way. How about wild salmon for breakfast? (that is one of my favorites) Or left over chicken and roasted vegetables. 

Here are my favorite breakfast choices:

1. Protein shake (Metagenics Sustain or Thorne Mediclear Plus) with flax seed oil, ground flax seeds and ProBerry

2. Turkey Bacon (hormone and antibiotic free)

3. Frozen turkey sausage (hormone and antibiotic free)

4. Wild Salmon, sauteed with onions

5. Turkey Bologna (hormone and antibiotic free)

6. Whole, Organic egg (if you are not intolerant to eggs) poached or sauteed with arugula and goat cheese

How much you ask?

  My recommendation is to eat half. Eat half as much as you think you need or half as much as you usually have. What is the worst possibility? You might feel hungry in an hour or two? Great, then eat a second breakfast. 

It is better to spread out the calories and eat every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day, so for those of you like me, who love breakfast, I don't think it will take much convincing to switch to breakfast twice! That is right, eat half, and eat the other half (or something else) in a couple hours. 

 

To drink? 

Stay away from juices. They are basically sugar, adding to your carbohydrate load and making a tasty breakfast for yeast, encouraging them to stay instead of go away. A much healthier option is green tea. It helps regulate blood sugar and metabolism, and prevents cancer at the same time. 

Otherwise water, filtered of course, is a great place to start your day, especially if you consume caffeine, which is a diuretic. Minimize the caffeine, but at the same time I think you will find that the longer you stick to these breakfast items, you won't be needing that caffeine to boost your energy so much anymore.

  

Do you have a favorite, healthy breakfast plan or recipe?  Share it with us.  Click on "Post A Comment" below.

 

 

Dr. Whyte's Health Bites

GRAPES

 

You may have heard that a glass of red wine each day may actually be healthy.  It's actually the grapes that the wine is made from that should be credited.  Red Grapes are a rich source of the bioflavonoids known as "proanthocyanidins," which have been shown to be powerful antioxidants.  They also help to maintain capillary health.  some researchers have associated the low incidence of heart disease among certain populations with moderate wine consumption.

Pesticides & The Food You Eat

When visiting your favorite watering-hole would you ask for a shot of weed-killer? How about a Binaca-like spritz of Raid (www.killsbugsdead.com)? Yuck, right? Well, there’s no need to order that weed-killer martini because you are already ingesting a full cocktail of pesticides through the fruits, vegetables, and water you eat and drink each day.

Recently we published an article in our newsletter and on our website about environmental toxins we’re exposed to daily from simply existing on this planet. It included information about our detox program that can help your body eliminate the excess build up of toxins more thoroughly than it does on its own. As a follow up to the concept of detoxification I wanted give you some food for thought by providing some facts about the pesticide residues you and your children are eating:

~The average child gets 5+ servings of pesticides in their food and water each day.

~The pesticide Atrazine is so toxic it is banned in Europe, but it is used so widely in the U.S., that it is found in 71% of the U.S. drinking water.

~Currently, over 400 pesticides can be legally used in the U.S. For example, apples can be sprayed up to 16 times with 36 different pesticides.

~According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, organophosphate pesticides (OP) are now found in the blood of 95% of Americans tested, and the levels are twice as high in blood samples taken from children.

~Exposure to these chemicals is linked to hyperactivity, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, developmental delays and motor dysfunction.

Yikes!

I am sharing these facts not to panic you, but to make you aware of prevalent dangers you are able to avoid when armed with the proper information.

Here’s some good news:

~None of these chemicals are present in organic foods.

You need to know more:

Here’s a new web search tool that shows what pesticides are on your food.

The Pesticide Action Network has launched a new on-line database designed to make the public problem of pesticide exposure visible and more understandable. Whether you want to find out what's in your apple juice, milk, peanut butter, or bottled water, this innovative tool links pesticide residue food data with toxicology data for each chemical, making this information easily searchable and user friendly. Check out: www.whatsonmyfood.org

People often complain about the higher cost of organic foods but once your visit this recommended site you’ll wonder why you’ve spent so much money on foods that are not only potentially poisonous, but in most cases, have also lost their nutritional value due to approved, non-organic practices used to speed product growth and thus profits, at the expense of wholesome nutrition.

Do a little reading and I think you’ll find that what you want in your 8-10 servings of healthy fruits & veggies does not include chemical pesticides, hormones, GMOs, recombinant DNA, weed killers, etc. Grow it yourself or buy organic as much as possible.

And don’t worry; we’re planning a Fall 2009 Group Super Detox! Stay tuned…And in the meantime you can also check out this article on the Super Detox program previously published on this website.

Post Lyme Disease Syndrome

By Dr. C. Evers Whyte

There’s a very good chance that you’ve never heard of “Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome,” even if you’ve suffered from Lyme disease itself.  Post Lyme Disease Syndrome (PLDS) is as controversial as it is complicated, and many doctors will assert that it simply does not exist.  However, if you have been treated for Lyme disease (LD) and still feel ill, you know, along with a growing group of medical professional, that PLDS is in fact, dreadfully real.  And much like LD, PLDS manifests and presents itself in a variety of ways that can make it difficult to decipher and therefore treat.  Sadly, many Lyme experts believe that the generally-accepted assessment and treatment practices are woefully inadequate.  The good news, however, is that more and more doctors are recognizing the realities of PLDS and better still are having success treating it.  There is hope!

HOW IT ALL STARTS
To truly understand PLDS we need to begin with an understanding of LD’s basic biology and how doctors in the US have been directed to view and treat it.

LD is caused by a strain of spirochete bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.  Unfortunately, a majority of doctors, contrary to both empirical findings and a large body of research, stubbornly insist that once LD is treated with the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended 21-day course of antibiotics, it should be considered cured.  Therefore, patients still experiencing symptoms are too often dismissed with a diagnosis of psychosomatic post-Lyme rather than an ongoing infection, or a set of very real physical ailments stemming from the Lyme disease and probable co-infection(s). 

There are several studies that refute this outdated protocol for LD treatment.  One in particular suggests that an estimated 30% of Lyme disease patients do not recover at all after being treated with the CDC recommended antibiotic protocol. 

In addition to this, it is unusual to contract only one infection from a tick bite.  Co-infections are rampant: Borrelia; Erlichia; Babesia; Bartonella; Micoplasma; and Rickettsia are all prevalent in the northeast, and most ticks are infected with these disease causing bacteria along with the one that causes Lyme.   Still, many doctors don’t test for these co-infections, or look deeper into the patient’s whole picture for breakdowns in various other bodily systems, triggered by these infections. 

To make matters even worse, doctors are under an enormous amount of pressure to argue against the existence of chronic Lyme infection because the insurance industry doesn’t want to pay for the ongoing treatment necessary to rid these unfortunate souls of the tenacious infection(s).

Natural Allergy Relief With No Side Effects

Natural D-Hist goes head to head with Claritin with better results and fewer side effects.

Allergies can make us miserable any time of the year, but during the spring and summer they tend to be worse and keep us from enjoying the outdoors.  Unfortunately, most anti-allergy products are chemically designed to force the body to function in a way that is not natural, hence the many side effects.

Two of our Center’s most popular products are “Natural D-Hist,” for adults and “D-Hist Jr.,” for children.  Scientifically formulated for maximum effectiveness with carefully selected dosages of four natural components, and thoroughly researched, Natural D-Hist is a fast acting, non-drowsy, all natural remedy that can stop allergic reactions before they begin.  And best of all, there are no side effects and a even a money back guarantee.

To help convince you of its effectiveness, we’re offering free samples of Natural D-Hist for you to try.  To further convince you that it’s so much better for you than conventional allergy drugs, we’re providing a head to head comparison of the side effects caused by Natural D-Hist and Claritin.  All the listed information comes directly from the two products’ literature.

D-Hist Jr. & Natural D-Hist's side effects:  Their packaging information states that 

Natural D-Hist's extensive human trials have produced no side effects.  And just for good measure they go on to say that a person’s first time taking some herbal remedies may result in a mild upset stomach that usually disappears when the herb is taken closer to meal time.  And, even though none have been recorded with Natural D-Hist, they warn that if an individual happens to be allergic to any given herb, a mild rash or hives could result.

The listed side effects for Claritin tablets, Claritin Reditabs and Claritin syrup are:  Headache, somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth, nervousness, wheezing, hyperkinesias, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, malaise, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, epistaxis (nose bleed), pharyngitis, influenza-like symptoms, tooth disorder, stomatitis, earache, rash, altered lacrimation, altered salivation, flushing, hypoesthesia, impotence, increased sweating, thirst, angioneurotic  edema, asthenia, back pain, blurred vision, chest pain, eye pain, fever, leg cramps, rigors, tinnitus, weight gain, hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, superventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, tachycardia, blepharospasm, dizziness, dysphonia, hypertonia, migraine, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo, altered taste, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, hiccup, increased appetite, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, arthalgia, myalgia, agitation,  amnesia, anxiety, confusion , decreased libido, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, irritability, paranoia, breast pain , dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, vaginitis, bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, dyspnea, hemoptysis, laryngitis, nasal dryness, sinusitis, sneezing, dermatitis, dry hair, dry skin, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, purpura urticaria, altered micturition, urinary discoloration , urinary incontinence, urinary retention, abnormal hepatic function, including jaundice, hepatitis and hepatic necrosis, alopecia, anaphylaxis, breast enlargement, erythema multiforme, peripheral edema, thrombocytopenia, and finally, seizures.

Many of the worse symptoms are contributed to Claritin Syrup, designed for children!

So, when are you coming in for your free samples?  Call us, we'll put some aside for you!

(203) 708-9299

 

Valerie Giglio, LMFT Holistic Psychotherapist

Why I Do What I Do

“As a teenager I had the opportunity to work with children suffering with neuro-atypical disorder (autism).  I was struck by the isolation and profound "inner-aloneness" that these neuro-atypical children seemed to experience.  I learned that I may not be able to radically change their symptoms, but I hoped to positively affect their separateness from our world by being willing to meet them within their world.  Through this work I discovered my love for the art of healing.

My work as a therapist is driven in essence by that same desire to alleviate the emotional wounds of separateness and aloneness that are simply part of the human experience.  My intention is to guide clients toward self-empowerment and emotional freedom by helping them identify limiting, fear-based beliefs that keep them from becoming more fully acquainted with their eternal, authentic self.

In my practice we use personal history to shed light on current misconceptions of one’s self and current struggles, but the main focus is on the NOW where all life and healing take place.  Loving and self-care begin only when we change our habits and thoughts in each moment.  My goal is for clients to leave each session with practical tools they can put to work immediately, rather than simply lingering on personal history.

Kim Bass, OTR/L Yoga Therapist

Why I Do What I Do

“The first time I did yoga I cried.  It was exactly what I needed in my life, a therapeutic practice that provided an emotional and physical connection.  I felt more alive, energized and grounded all at the same time.  That was 15 years ago and I still feel the same way. 

However, when I first started I became injured and realized I was doing yoga incorrectly.  Injuries kept coming up but they inspired me to do some research that resulted in an integration of my knowledge as a registered occupational therapist and the yoga I was practicing.  I then embarked upon years of intense yoga-teacher instruction from various mentors who have studied under John Friend, the founder of Anusaura Yoga and “intelligent vinyasa,” which integrates the breath based rhythm and flow of asanas.  I then combined that knowledge with the therapeutic benefits of healthy precision and solid alignment.

Preventing The Swine Flu

The media has provided lots of coverage about the spreading flu and some good tips for avoiding it.  But little has been said about natural prevention tactics that strengthen your immune system and your resistance to this potentially dangerous virus.

The five most important therapeutic categories for supporting the immune system include:

1. Diet (lots of fruits and veggies & low or no white flour or sugar products)
2. Exercise (moderate)
3. Intestinal Health (fiber & probiotics)
4. Stress Management (including sleep!)
5. Clinically Proven Immune-Boosting Supplements

We think it’s a good time to experience the powerful positive effects of natural supplements scientifically designed to boost your immune system and prevent viral infections.

*A few targeted supplements that we highly recommend are:

• K-PAX Fuel For Life -- a fantastic supplement that dramatically increases cellular energy and anti-viral immune activity
• Triple FLU Defense -- a targeted homeopathic formula to combat influenza viruses
• High Dose Vitamin D3 -- studies have shown this to be incredibly protective against H1N1 
• Ther-Biotic Complete-- the strongest, most comprehensive probiotic available

*These supplements are available at The Center For Health Renewal, and because of the current national health alert, we’re offering them at 10% off until the end of November.

We encourage you to call and order your immune building, virus preventing supplements while supplies last.  (203) 708-9299

 

Immune-Boosting Broth Recipe

     

When you provide your immune system with extra energy it does a better job of keeping you healthy, and if necessary, fighting through a challenge like the swine flu. 

Here’s a recipe for a great immune-boosting broth (Use Organic ingredients whenever possible):

• 2 cups of  chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 chopped shallots
• 5 chopped shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cloves of chopped fresh garlic
• 2 chopped carrots (unpeeled)
• 2 cups of chopped leafy greens (e.g. kale, Swiss chard, collard or mustard greens)
• Optional: Unpasteurized Miso to taste. (South River Miso Company makes the best I’ve found:  www.southrivermiso.com)

Bring the broth to a boil, and then add the carrots, shallots, garlic and mushrooms. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.  Next, add in the cooking greens, turn the heat off and let sit for 5 minutes.  Finally, mix in the miso and add salt & pepper to taste.  Never boil miso.  (You can also add chicken, fish, tofu, lean beef, etc. to increase protein, if desired).

Besides being good for you its really tasty, too!

FAQ About The Swine Flu

Our medical director, Dr. C. Evers Whyte answers a few questions about flu prevention.  You can ask your own questions in the comment box below.  (If you don't see this box, click on this article's headline and scroll down.)  We truly welcome your questions and hope to be a helpful as possible during this uncertain period.

Q: Does wearing a mask over my nose and mouth really do any good?

A: Yes, especially if you're regularly exposed to someone who's sick and in confined spaces.  Viruses become airborne when someone infected coughs or sneezes.  The mask can help you avoid breathing that in if you're caring for someone with the flu.

Q:  What is a "Probiotic"?

A: Your lymphatic system, a major element of your immune system, and your digestive tract work in conjunction with each other.  This is why eating correctly positively impacts your immune system.  A probiotic is a positive kind of bacteria that keeps your digestive tract working at its most optimum level and thus improves your immune system as well.

Q:  Are the supplements mentioned in the article above safe?

A:  Completely.  We only prescribe products that are clinically researched and proven to be safe and most effective.  We personalize our recommendations according to our patients' health histories and other important information. 

Q:  Can they actually prevent the flu?

A:  Anything you do to energize and strengthen your immune system will equally improve your ability to resist a virus after exposure.  Using supplements that are scientifically designed to boost your immune system on a cellular level will greatly improve your odds of remaining healthy.

Q:  My husband says handwashing with hot water alone gets rid of germs and soap is not necessary.  I say we need soap.  Who's right?

A:  Don't scald yourself!  Hot water alone is only effective if the temperature is over boiling, so use the soap too.

Food Allergies & Cancer

Our workshop/group discussion led by Dr. Doni Wilson was a huge success.

There were many participants and lots of vital information shared about how to identify food allergies and reduce the risk of chronic ailments and cancer.  We'll be posting a summary article about this topic soon.  But in the mean time, I'd like to invite those of you who participated to share your comments about what you learned during the workshop and what it means to you personally using the "Post A Comment" area below.  (If you do not see this option, double click on this article's title then scroll down).  Also, I'd like to invite all our readers to join the discussion as well.  The more we share what we know the more we can improve the health and well being of our Center's community.
Thanks to you all and to Dr. Donni!
Michele Russell
Director Program Development

 

Dr. Donielle Wilson, ND

Naturopathic Family Practice

Why I Do What I Do

Today I met with a patient with an all too familiar story.   For 10 years she’s suffered persistent and worsening symptoms, visiting doctor after doctor, only to be told that everything is “normal.” 

You might ask, “How can it be that a medical professional would send someone home to continue suffering with no further concern, not to mention curiosity, as to what was at the root of her symptoms?”

I believe this occurs for two reasons.  One is that the body is really good at compensating and keeping things "normal" in the blood while the other parts of the body are ailing, which is why blood test results often come back "within the normal range" even when the patient feels terrible.  The second reason is that conventional medical training focuses on the extreme of medical conditions.  This means that for someone whose

C. Evers Whyte, MS, DC, DACBN

Non-Surgical Spine Specialist
Clinical Nutritionist

Why I Do What I Do

In college, I took up martial arts and while I was training, I stepped in some gymnasts’ chalk as I was throwing a kick.  I slipped and flew about 5 ft up in the air before landing flat on my sacrum on the wooden gym floor.  The pain in my low back was intense and continued to worsen until I was taking 25 Advil just to get through the day.  The stronger pain drugs made me sick.  I stopped exercising because of the pain and gained 20 lbs. After visiting 3 chiropractors, an orthopedist, a neurologist, a rheumatologist, and a neurosurgeon I always ended up with the same result:  “We can’t find anything Physically wrong with you.”  Obviously, my pain itself was not enough to convince these physicians that something was indeed seriously wrong.