What is called mainstream or conventional medicine is relatively new having risen to dominance in the 20^th century. Coined in 1810 as allopathic medicine it refers to a range of treatments using pharmaceuticals or physical interventions to suppress or relieve symptoms of a pathogenic nature. Through creative marketing it strives to convince us that it holds all the answers and is the only sensible choice. Regularly we see advertisements guilting parents into thinking that if they do not vaccinate their children they are being dangerously irresponsible and endangering lives.  This and many other misconceptions are oftentimes fostered by the deep pocketed pharmaceutical companies who fund research and clinical trials to promote their own products.

Meanwhile herbs, homeopathy and naturopathy have been pushed into the realm of alternative or complementary medicine despite the overwhelming evidence of being used effectively for thousands of years.  Some may think that sophisticated times call for sophisticated answers and products that are artificially and synthetically made! Yet fundamental to us all is the inner- knowing that simple, unadulterated natural foods, high quality vitamin and mineral supplementation and healthful lifestyle habits nourish and strengthen wellbeing.

Holistic medicine is a treatment protocol that incorporates all areas of a person’s wellbeing, psychological, physical, and social. As a health system it consists of discerning the needs of the whole person, taking all aspects of wellbeing into account, rather than addressing isolated symptoms, systems or diseases. Furthermore it advocates the least invasive and safest methods to achieve balance, harmony and health. Additionally, it emphasizes personal education and responsibility in choosing products, treatments and modalities to achieve desired health results.

Years ago a clothing retailer coined the jingle, “an informed consumer is our best customer.” Such is the customer of holistic healthcare. Those who are informed and willing to take personal responsibility for lifestyle habits, achieve the greatest success in health.  Learning how the human body functions helps us understand why synthetic, laboratory created substances are not recognized by the body and unable to catalyze the endless number of metabolic conversions needed to create components vital to our daily health. Once we understand a little better about our own bodies we become convinced that we are what we eat, digest and assimilate.

The aphorism, “as a man thinketh, so is he” is no less true.  Holistic medicine honors the relationship between thought and experience. Emotional health streams into physical health, thus what we think, believe and say directly affects our physical health experience. For example, the body’s response to stress and worry is to release flight or fight hormones into the blood stream (taking energy away from non-essential areas such as the stomach and colon) and divert it to those areas of the body that help in times of “perceived danger.” Chronic stress, worry and negative thinking interfere with and compromises digestion and elimination chronically. Food that should be digested and used to fuel the body sits and rots in the stomach causing toxicity. Additionally, to meet the extra demands for energy, protein may be removed from the muscles. A loss of muscle, if not replenished, will result fat storage and weight gain.  As most of our immune system is in the gastrointestinal tract the correlation between what we think, eat and how we live becomes clear.

We do not work, eat and move separated from our thoughts, feelings or beliefs. Nor do we exist exclusively in our heads among our thoughts and dreams. Instead our lives are lived body and mind working together. Consequently our wellness plan should incorporate all the ways we live and experience so we can maintain full and optimal health.

May 29th – 11 am CST, Betsy will be interviewed on her book, Picky Eating Solutions

Paleo Greens available now in our store

In nature green is synonymous with vibrant living, growing and thriving. Long awaited spring highlights this renewal as the barren, brown sleep of winter changes to a colorful and blossoming rebirth. Herein lies a potent lesson for health and wellness.

It is not news to many of us that the soil of the 21^st Century does not compare nutritionally to that of former days. Crop overproduction, lack of rotation, pesticides, insecticides and genetically modified seeds produce food that is deficient of the quantity and quality of nutrients they once universally contained. A plant’s nutrition is subject to the fertility of the soil in which it grows.

Furthermore, early harvesting brings food to the table that is eaten before its prime when all nutrients are at optimal levels. Fruits and vegetables are sprayed and packaged for lengthy storage and transportation to countries all over the world. These chemical processes inhibit the natural growing and ripening cycles and aid in the creation of a host of digestive and assimilation issues presently increasing in our society.  It seems more of a challenge to get the most out of our food when less is offered from the field.

A wonderful answer to this daily deficiency is a new addition to the Elementals Living supplement family. Paleo Greens by Designs for Health provides unique and superior nutrition. It is power packed nutrition in just a tablespoon a day. It contains organic ingredients (free of pesticides, insecticides and heavy metals) that cleanse, regenerate and alkalize the body.  As disease flourishes in an acidic state, alkalizing is a fundamental way of inhibiting pathogenic growth and warding off disease.

For those prone to allergies, it contains no grains or legumes fibers and thus is least likely to trigger a reaction. Additionally it contains no alfalfa (used regularly in other leading brands), which has been shown to contribute to autoimmune disease. It combines a propriety blend of organic fruits and vegetables proven to hold ORAC value, a measure used to determine the capacity of a substance to absorb free radicals and acts as an antioxidant to protect the body. One serving or tablespoon has the antioxidant value of four servings of fruits and vegetables.
In addition special gentle processing is used to retain the potency of the ingredients and no additional sugar is added. Paleo Greens is recommended as a dietary supplement mixed in water.

As we flow with the seasons, we can move towards vibrant living, growing and thriving by adding Paleo Greens daily to boost beneficial nutrition, alkalize acidity and protect from illness and disease.

#2 – Get smart with appliances and kitchen tools. You don’t need a whole knife set, but you need one good knife and preferably two; a chef knife and a pairing knife that you sharpen after each use. Vegetables and whole cuts of meat become difficult to prepare without a sharp knife. Rice cookers are extremely valuable. Aside from making rice (which is probably the cheapest food on the planet) you can make beans, oatmeal and hot breakfast cereals. Don’t microwave your food. It kills off nutrition and ruins the tastes because it denatures the food. Instead, get a toaster oven that you can easily cook small portions in. A good roasting pan is also valuable for whole chickens and roasts (see below for ideas of how to prepare). You don’t need loads of pots and pans, just one large enough for pasta and homemade soup, and one small enough for quick reheating. A wok is great to have, and if your kitchen is tight on space, put a hook up to hold it next to your stove for storage. Lastly, a crockpot is fantastic for those who can get organized in the morning.

#3 – Avoid pre-packaged or take out food. You can triple your food costs by purchasing items that have been pre-seasoned or cooked. Plus the grocery store that sells roasted chickens will generally use the chickens that are ready to expire and don’t taste fresh. Buy sea salt, pepper, and a couple of herbs and seasoning blends. Grilling

and roasting are both easy and do not take a lot of prep time. Buy oatmeal flakes rather than instant. Flavoring rice is easy when you cook the rice in stock and add some herbs and salt. Some of the most healing foods in the world are herbs and spices. Buy fresh varieties whenever possible and if you have a sunny window or patio, plant some herbs for free and fresh flavor anytime. Curries are some of the healthiest “medicines” in the world. Many of the ingredients in curry spices are used in natural medicine to boost the immune system and improve digestion. Spicy food is also great. Many people think spicy food gives them indigestion, but hot peppers actually kill parasites so many who have a problem with spicy foods might be dealing with pathogens rather than spice issues. If you have the funds to purchase frozen or prepared meals, go for Indian and Thai food options that are more likely to have an abundance of healthy spices and a lower concentration of processed wheat.

#4 – Eat protein! Especially athletes, but everyone needs protein three times a day. Protein contains amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscles and the brain. Here are some ideas for inexpensive protein options: 1) Eggs – a truly magical and wonderful food that is healthy, fast and easy to prepare, and very inexpensive. You will find that fresh and/or organic eggs taste remarkably

better, so if you are near any farms, check to see what you can buy locally. 2) Whole chicken is often the same price as cut up chicken parts. Roast your whole

chicken by sprinkling it with a little olive oil, spices, herbs, pepper, and salt. Bake at 350 until no longer pink. You can eat the wings, legs, and thighs on the bone, cut up the breasts for salads, and use the carcass to make chicken stock. If you simmer the carcass with some onions, celery, carrots or any other vegetable, you’ll make a wonderful stock that you can use to flavor rice or make homemade soups with. 3) Some of the most inexpensive chunks of meat are the most flavorful, and the flavor comes out by slowly roasting. Roommates and neighbors will be begging at the door with the smell of a roast slowly cooking in the oven. Prepare just like the chicken but add water to the pan. There are loads of great recipes you can find on YouTube. Add potatoes for the last hour of roasting. Crockpots are also fantastic for this use and the busy student can start a roast before classes and return to a piping hot meal. You can also puree or chop leftover vegetables into a meatloaf that will last for days. 4) Beans (along with rice) are inexpensive and easy to prepare. Uncooked beans soaked overnight, will release enzymes making them easier to digest, making for less gas. Canned beans are a great staple food to have for fast meals. Use beans in soups, salads, or puree them with some good oil and make dips or burritos. Make bean salads with canned or cooked beans with a vinaigrette and lots of chopped up vegetables, or make a black bean dressing with lime juice, oil, cilantro, salt and cayanne. Beans also make a fast protein addition to nachos. Hummus is easy to make with some garbanzo beans and sesame seeds and even easier with a food processor or a really good blender. Limit your soy. Tempeh, miso, edamame, and small amounts of tofu are fine, but soy milk products will hinder digestion. There is no doubt that chili is a college food staple, but use lots of beans to keep the cost down and if you are struggling eating your vegetables, puree them into the chili; you won’t even taste them. 5) Nuts are a simple “on the go” food. For optimal health, buy them raw and roast them slowly yourself, but pre-roasted nuts can also be great. They may cost a bit more than a bag of chips, but they are nourishing and have the good fats that hormones need. Peanuts are actually a legume, but are used in the way most nuts are. With peanut butter, try to buy only natural varieties. You can very easily make homemade granola with a variety of nuts and oats and snack on it throughout the day or toss it over some yogurt. 6) Fresh fish is not always easy to get in some areas, but canned fish can be a great option. I wouldn’t recommend eating canned fish everyday because of heavy metals, but twice a week is fine. Salmon or tuna packed in olive oil is great because you can mix a little vinegar in with the oil and make a wonderful salad dressing.

#5 – Eat GOOD fats! There is a HUGE difference between healthy fat and fats that resemble plastic. There is nothing healthy about margarine and just because it has the word “vegetable” in it, know that vegetable oils are bad for you. Also avoid corn and soy oils. Best oils: Coconut, olive and oils that are cold filtered and expeller pressed. Butter is a wonderful natural and very healthy fat and gives our brain a lot of inexpensive nourishment. Plus, butter is delicious so if it’s been a challenge to eat vegetables, instead of melting artificial cheese sauces on them, melt some butter, sprinkle some salt, and enjoy. Salad dressings are easy to make and prevents the consumption of bad fats, high fructose corn syrup, and MSG laden prepared dressing. You can shake 1/3 part vinegar with 2/3 part olive oil, herbs, and salt in a jar. Indulge in a good extra virgin olive oil and some aged balsamic vinegar for better flavor. Remember that oils can turn rancid, so if the oil smells bad, it probably is. Eat foods that naturally have good fats like avocados, nuts, meats, and coconut. Many hormone problems develop with people who are on low fat diet. This causes the body to crave good fats.  Depriving the body of good fats, decreases its ability to feel full. However, it’s equally important to avoid bad fats. French fries, artificial cheeses, and chips are some of the foods containing fats the body cannot use. Also, many people cannot breakdown the fats in milk products, even natural ones, because through pasteurization the enzymes needed for digestion are destroyed. Cramping after consuming dairy products, is an indication they should be avoided. There are more usable calcium and minerals from vegetables than from dairy.

#6 Eat your Vegetables! Farmers markets are an affordable source of produce and although organic is unquestionably beneficial, freshly picked produce is the most nutrient dense. Fruits and vegetables loose vitamins and minerals over time, so sometimes frozen vegetables can be a better option than wilted produce. A bag of potatoes can be baked, fried, or mashed. Baking several potatoes together allows them to be used over the next few days, cubed or sliced into many recipes. With a juicer, produce that is looking unappetizing can be easily turned into a burst of antioxidants and vitamins. Don’t over indulge in corn. GMO varieties are becoming harder to digest and corn is more of a grain than a vegetable. Stir-fries are quick meals that can be thrown together with even the most bazaar of food combinations. Also, raw vegetables are more appealing when they are sliced and ready to grab so prepare ahead of time and store in a closed container to keep fresh. When impatiently hungry while cooking dinner, munch on raw vegetables.

#7 Portable fruit is easy to carry in back packs. Buy fruit that is in season for the best flavor and most nutrition and once again, shop at local farmers markets for freshness. If your fruit is starting to turn, use a juicer to help salvage it or make smoothies with some raw local honey, coconut milk, or yogurt.

#8 Grains are most beneficial when they are in a whole format that adds fiber. Brown rice and whole grain breads and pastas will aid in digestion and keep stools regular. When grains upset the digestive system, consider being tested for gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. There are many wonderful gluten-free alternatives including a wide variety of rice and quinoa, both are extremely good for athletes or vegetarians because they are very high in protein. Make quinoa like you would rice.

#9 Drink Water!!! To know “how much is enough”, take a body weight, cut it in half, and that is how many ounces a body needs minimally to stay properly hydrated. Soda, coffee, most teas, and especially alcohol, dehydrates. Carbonation leaches minerals out of the bones causing a greater chance of breakage and osteoporosis. High caffeine drinks can decrease the ability to build muscle, while harming adrenal glands (creating fatigue), and causing back pain. Water is nourishing, cleansing, and free. Buy a portable filter to help take out impurities. Chlorniated water can be improved with fresh lemon juice which helps flush the lymphatic system and is especially useful for swimmers.

#10 Enjoy and celebrate food! In most countries, meal time is filled with love and gratitude. Our country could benefit from more people utilizing meals as a time to quiet the day, enjoy the company of others, and to appreciate all of the people (farmers and merchants) and animals involved in giving of themselves for the meal. Make food a priority. Your body will thank you with more strength and endurance. You’ll also be rewarded with skin and hair that will shine, and a brain fired up, active, and ready to learn.

Another perceived roadblock to good nutrition for students is the belief that eating healthy on a budget is impossible. I just returned from trip to Thailand where family budgets are around $2.00 a day for food, and they are doing an incredible job of eating well. Many poorer countries have healthier eating habits than the wealthiest ones.

The following is a dedication to my trainer, Lee Munger:

10 Diet Steps for the College Student to Create Muscle, Strengthen Immunity, and Develop a Healthy Brain by Betsy Hicks

10 Possible Causes for Enuresis (Bed Wetting)

1)   Urinary tract infection

2)   Food sensitivities

3)   Gluten and dairy intolerance

4)   Toxin release through the kidneys (trying to detox too much, too fast)

5)   Poor quality omega 3 oils

6)   Insufficient probiotics

7)   Weak bladder

8)   Weak neuronal pathway control (weak signal to the brain)

9)   Weak muscular control

10) Use of diuretics (caffeine, tea, and soda)

With so many different causes, it’s important to consider all possibilities, but it is 100% curable when a variety of supports are offered.

In working with one of my patients for a year or so, I noticed that though we made some progress in certain areas of her health, in other ways I did not see the changes I have come to expect.  As we worked through her concerns with many great products that typically turn out highly beneficial results, I began to suspect something was interfering with her progress. At this point I started to consider something I have been studying of late, biofilms and the strong resistant effects they have on otherwise effective protocols of treatment.

Biofilm is a term given to groups of microscopic organisms existing within the body. These cooperative colonies are highly resistant to antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral treatments. They can wreck havoc within the gastrointestinal system causing chronic pain, discomfort, bloating and gas. With this view in mind, I recommended biofilm specific enzymes and increased other natural treatments for yeast, bacteria and parasites. After a few months it became evident that biofilms had been the missing link as I saw great improvement in her overall symptoms.

To learn more about biofilms and the effects they can have read Dr. Hicks’ published article Autism Spectrum Digest – Biofilms