Dr. James Chandler, N.D., Ph.D
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Traditional Naturopathy
Traditional Naturopathy
Chandler Naturopathic Health Center
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Go Natural - Your Natural Health Alternative
Go Natural - Your Natural Health Alternative
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Natural Weight Loss Protocol
| Posted on March 7, 2014 at 4:06 PM |
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Chandler Naturopathic PROTOCOL
FOR WEIGHT LOSS As we and
our nation become more and more over weight, many Americans are looking for
ways to reduce their weight and become healthier. Whether you have tried diets in the past or
this is your first experience with weight loss, this program can help you
attain your weight goal. The first step is identifying your reason
for weight gain. Some of the most
common reasons include: hormonal shifts, medications, excessive eating
habits, eating foods high in calories, eating at the wrong time of day, emotional
or stress eating, drinking excessive amounts of calories, and not moving
enough. Experts have varying opinions
on why people become overweight however they agree that the key to losing
weight is: Eat less and move more.
Simply stated, the body has to burn more calories than it takes in. This can be seen with any of the popular
diets available such as: South Beach, Atkins, Jenny Craig, NutraSystem,
Weight Watchers or any other diet that you can name. This program uses two phases: Active weight loss and Weight
maintenance. Phase 1, Active weight
loss helps you lose up to 10 percent of your body weight in about sixteen
weeks (four months). This can be
achieved by 1. Eliminating sugary foods, refined flours, and bad fats while
increasing foods that are whole and are lower glycemic foods. Phase 2 of the program helps keep weight
stable for the remaining eight months of the year. This is accomplished through exercising and
eating only the amount of calories necessary as not to gain weight. In this phase, you can add more foods
however, it is advised that you maintain a lifestyle without refined sugars
and grains as much as possible. This
same program is repeated the following year for additional weight loss for
those who need to or want to lose more weight. Depending on
medical conditions, a variation of this protocol may be necessary. For those situations, a programmed foods
list from Food Pharmacy is available. Though it is
not necessary to know your Body Mass Index (BMI) Number in order to lose
weight, it may provide incentive for you to do so. To find your BMI you can go on line and Google
BMI calculators. Likewise, it is not
necessary to know your waist/hip ratio but it may again provide some
incentive. Waist to hip ratios looks at the portion of fat stored on your
body around your waist and hip. It is
a simple but useful measure of fat distribution. shape). Having an
apple shape (carrying weight around the middle) is riskier for your health
than having the pear shape. This is
because is because body shape and health risks are linked. If you have more weight around your waist
you have a greater risk of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes than
those with weight around their hips. To determine your waist to hip ratio, divide
your waist measurement by your hip measurement. Example:
Your waist size is 34 and your hip size is 38; dived 34 (waist) by 38
(hips) and you will get .894. Women
should have a waist to hip ratio of .8 or less. You should
calculate your Basil Metabolic Rate (BMR) for your Ideal weight or Target
weight. This is a rather complicated formula so I recommend that you find a
BMR calculator on line. re your height multiplied by your weight (use your ideal weight), your
age, gender, and activity level. The formula is: 655 plus (4.3 multiplied by weight) plus
(4.7 multiplied by height in inches) minus (4.7 multiplied by age) multiplied
by activity level (either 1.25 low activity, 1.40 if you exercise every day
or 1.60 if you are a full time athlete). Once you find your BMR for your
Ideal weight or target weight, that will be the amount of calories you should
eat per day. To calculate
your Ideal weight is a lot easier. For
ideal weight add 105 pounds for the first 5 feet of height and then add five
pounds for every inch over five feet. Example: 35
year old women who is not active that is 5 feet 4 inches tall (ideal weight
is 125 pounds = 105 pounds for the first 5 feet and then 5 pounds for each
additional inch in height). 4.7 X 35 years of age = 164.5] X
[1.25 low activity level] = 1661).
Eating this amount of calories is supportive of your weight goal and
is less than your actual weight requirements which will result in sustained
weight loss. The reasons most people fail to adhere to a weight loss program because it is too rigid and restrictive in
food choices. Remember, all weight loss plans have food restrictions of some
sort. This plan restricts foods that
contain elements that are thought to be counter intuitive to weight loss. There are no food groups that have been
eliminated in this protocol. There are
no food groups that have been restricted in this protocol. You are able to eat all foods as long as
they are prepared in a healthy way with healthy ingredients. Recommendations/suggestions: Diet/nutrition: Food plays a very important
role in weight management. There are
some things that should be removed or
avoided and many things that should be included or increased in the diet
regardless of the type of diet that you undertake. It is suggested that you divide your
calorie intake as follows: 30 percent
Proteins; 40 percent carbohydrates and 30 percent fats. It is not recommended that you consume less
than 1200 calories per day. The
calorie target listed for the lady above, a breakdown of protein,
carbohydrates, and fats would look somewhat like this: Protein=498 calories, Carbohydrates = 665
calories and Fats = 498 calories for a total of 1661 calories.
For your weight loss program:
Oils: Olive oil
is the preferred oil for salad dressings and for any cooking. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil for dressings
and Regular Olive Oil for cooking (only light cooking never with high heat) EATING GUIDELINES GOOD EATING TIPS -
Eat before you get hungry Hunger
is usually a sign that your blood sugar is dropping. Tendencies to overeat
are more likely if you’ve
waited too long to eat and feel overly hungry.
Eat at the right time Eat
breakfast within one to two hours of rising, lunch approximately four hours
later, and dinner within
six hours of lunch. If you have a day job, eat dinner before 7pm. Ironically, you should not skip
meals if you are trying to lose weight.
Eating properly increases your metabolism, which burns
more
calories.
Eat snacks If
you tend to get hungry before or between meals, have a snack. A protein snack
just before bed
can often help you sleep better.
Eat in peace Distractions
such as reading, watching TV, noisy environments and dinner table arguments have
very harmful effects on digestion. If you are upset, calm yourself and relax
before eating.
Chew well Chewing
is perhaps the most important part of the digestive process, so chew more
than you think
is necessary and avoid swallowing un-chewed food.
Eat slowly Enjoy
the flavors and textures of every bite. You’ll
feel full about 10 minutes after a meal if you stop eating when the food
begins to lose some
of its taste. Stick
to your Eating Guidelines food list and your Daily Diet Worksheet if you’ve
been given one. GOOD
DRINKING TIPS -
Drink lots of water You
should drink ½ of your body weight (lbs) in ounces of water, plus 8 oz for
every vice (coffee, for example), and an additional 8 oz for every hour of
exercise.
Drink frequently Your
body needs four ounces of water every half hour just for basic functions.
Your digestive system
can only absorb this amount under normal conditions, so drinking two quarts
all at once won’t
help. Drinking less will thwart your body’s attempts to heal or regenerate.
Eight ounces every hour
is a good guideline. Drink eight ounces of water every morning upon rising,
eight ounces five more
times during the day, and eight ounces of water half an hour before both
lunch and dinner. Avoid
tap water and be wary of well water. Fluoride and chlorine found in tap
water, and iron, manganese,
calcium and other minerals found in well water can be harmful. When using a
filter, make
sure it eliminates heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, and a good percent of
all minerals. Drinking
water that is pure is much better than water that is impure.
Avoid fluids with meals Drinking
fluids with meals can compromise your digestion. Sip warm fluids with meals
if needed and never ingest cold fluids, as they inhibit digestion. If you drink a glass of water twenty minutes before
a meal you will probably find that you won’t feel the need to
drink during the meal.
Avoid certain drinks Coffee,
black tea, pop, beer, liquor and wine all require that you drink additional
water to process them. Eat your Veggies Eat as many and as much vegetables as you
want throughout the day with no limit.
Most people tolerate slightly cook (streamed, baked, or roasted)
vegetables better than raw at first. I
suggest 60 percent cooked and 40 percent raw.
Eat small meals. Food should not be staked high on the plate
or go to the edge of the plate. Eat
several small meals throughout the day instead of one or two big meals. Ideally, you should eat three meals and
have to snacks everyday with the biggest meal being breakfast.
Your plate: Use a standard nine inch Plate and divide
it into three sections. The first
section of the plate will take up half of the area of the plate and will be
for your vegetables. The other half of
the plate will be divided in half; half will be for your lean protein (meat,
beans or legumes) and the remained of the plate will be for your grains. Supplements:
Supplementation plays a vital role in weight loss and weight management. Nutrition from food consumption is often compromised
when dieting and must be supplemented.
The following are recommendations for the use of supplements: Essential:
Important:
Additional
Supplements
II.
ACTIVITIES
Source: Anding, Roberta H., R.D., (2009): Nutrition
Made Clear Balch, Phyllis A., CNC,
(2010): Prescription for
Nutritional Healing. Visit www.Davincilabs.coml or visit my on-line store to access DavinciLabs Disclaimer: Our services and products are to provide educational information only and are not used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or cure any disease. These services, information, and/or products have not been endorsed, researched, or proven to be effect by any state or federal government agency. Before starting or stopping any health program, discuss the program with a qualified medical professional. Results may vary from individuals. |
Spring Detox
| Posted on March 21, 2013 at 12:32 PM |
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Well it is that time of year again, Spring. The flowers, the warmer days (at least in some parts of the country), and the activities spring brings. A lot of people begin the spring cleaning ritual. They clean their house, their closets, have yard sales and just generally get rid of the old things that they no longer want or need. This spring, why not include your body in the spring cleaning process. Actually, it is a good idea to cleanse the body with every season change, spring, summer, fall and winter. Just like the principle of spring cleaning your house, the purpose of cleansing your body (or detoxing) is to get rid of the toxins that have accumulated over the winter. Toxins that you have been breathing in from the air of your home, dust, chemicals from the off gassing from furniture and carpets, molds and mildew, and chemicals from cleaners. Don't forget about the toxins that you have ingested through your diet, sugars, food colorings, food additives, animal fats, trans fats, and low nutrient foods. Also, what about the viruses and bacteria that you have been exposed to throughout the winter months like the common cold and flu viruses and even bacterial infections. What about the various parasites that you may have been exposed to? My wife made me watch an episode of the Dr OZ show (not really, I watch Dr Oz frequently even though I disagree with some of his practices, I'll save that for another day). This particular episode dealt with parasites. Most people do not believe that this is a wide spread problem however, it is. One in ten Americans have some sort of internal parasite. They come from the foods we eat, the water we drink, the environment we live and play in. Those of us that eat raw foods are susceptible to parisites from those green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits from around the world. If you own pet that go outdoors, if you work in a garden or on a farm, if drink well water or municipal water, you are susceptible to parasites. A few of the most parasitic infections are:
These are the reasons that you should do a little "Spring Cleaning" of your internal body. I recommend a detox of the liver and intestinal tract every three months (corresponding with the seasons). Now, don't get me wrong, cleansing the body doesn't mean that you have to drink nasty tasting smoothies or other fluids for any specified amount of time to detox the body. Cleansing and detox does not have to be harsh or uncomfortable. All that is needed is to follow the simple plan outlined below. For the next seven days: You want to start your cleanse or detox program by stopping the toxins you are currently ingesting.
Start eating whole foods such as:
Supplement with:
For detox of parasites supplement with:
There are a number of combination products on the market for Parasite detox. The one I use is "Para-Shield" from DaVinci Laboratories. See my store page at www.drchandlernd.com or just go to www.davincilabs.com for all of your vitamin and supplement needs. Spring cleaning is a much need task that will make your life a more comfortable in the coming year. It doesn't have to be a dreading task if you use common sense and a little help. |
Winter Illnesses: Time to Prepare.
| Posted on October 29, 2012 at 1:34 PM |
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Temperatures today are in the upper 57s and it is forecast to get colder this week. Some say this is typical weather for for time of year, the middle of Autumn. The heat of summer is giving way to the cold and darker days of winter. With this change also comes changes in the illnesses that afflict us. The onset of winter brings with it the season's dread. The biggest dread is the nasty cold and flu. I am not saying that colder weather causes these illnesses, but the viruses that manifest as cold and or flu thrive better in the cooler temperatures of fall and winter when the humidity is lower, we are all gathered together in close quarters, and our immune system is a little less active. Little known is that there are actually over 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. The most well know to the majority of us are the rhino viruses. Symptoms include: nasal congestion, sinus congestion, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and headache, low fever (in some children). Normally, incubation of the cold virus is 18 - 24 hours after the virus enters the body, so you actually have a cold before you even know it. It is estimated that healthy adults average two colds per year. Children on the other hand tend to contract many more because their immune system is immature. Usually, the cold clears up on its own in a week to 10 days. However, a cold can lead to more serious illnesses, such as sinus infections, middle ear infections, and/or bronchitis. Often people are confused between the symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and allergies (which are also common this time of year). Influenza (flu) is also caused by a viruses but are different viruses than the common cold and the flu is more serious, by far, than either the common cold or seasonal allergies. Flu can lead to life threatening complications, particularly in the very young and in older or frail people. Since influenza, seasonal allergies, and the common cold cause upper respiratory tract symptoms, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. There are certain notable differences as described below: Characteristic Cold Flu Allergies ___________________________________________________________ Chest infection Common Common. Rare or cough Mild to Can become moderate. severe. Pneumonia is a common complication. __________________________________________________________ Fever Rare (except Usually (102 +) None in young May last 3-4 children) days. __________________________________________________________ General aches Mild Usual. Can be Rare and pains severe. __________________________________________________________ Headache Rare. Common. Rare. ___________________________________________________________ Sneezing Usual. Rare. Usual, red, itchy, watery especially eyes. sneezing. Comes on quickly and lasts longer. __________________________________________________________ Sore throat Usual. Occasional. Occasional ___________________________________________________________ Stuffy nose Usual. Occasional. Occasional ___________________________________________________________ Tiredness Mild. Severe. Rare. ___________________________________________________________ Primary Season Late Winter. March - August - September April. ___________________________________________________________ Duration 7-10 days Up to 30 days. As long as the allergen is present. So, what can you do to minimize your chances of contracting a cold or flu this season? A study conducted in 1999 -2000 has shown that taking antioxidants; vitamin C, selenium, zinc, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and protein can significantly reduce the chance of getting such respiratory tract infection. Wash your hands frequently and this bares repeating, wash your hands frequently, using warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Cold viruses can survive for hours on hard surfaces, hands, and tissues (flush facial tissues after use). Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth. Stay away from others that are sick. During the winter months, vitamin D levels can fall below optimal levels ( 30 ng/ml), it is recommended that you supplement with vitamin D3 to help restore and maintain your immunity. I suggest taking 3,000-5,000 IUs daily with the heaviest meal of the day. For children under 12 years of age, 1,000 to 2,000 IUs daily. Using the same principles cited above, the flu can be prevented also. There is some debate over who should get the flu shot and who should not. I will reserve my opinion on this topic for another blog post. But, should you decide that you will get a flu shot, I highly recommend that you take a mushroom complex supplement starting two weeks before the shot and continue two weeks after the shot (or nasal spray). The mushroom complex will help the shot do its job by increasing the natural killer cells of the the immune system, thus boosting your immune response to the vaccine. Should you get a cold or the flu take vitamin C and zinc lozenges (zinc every three hours, not exceed 100 mg of zinc daily) at the first sign of sore throat or stuffiness in the head or nose. Sip hot liquids such as chicken broth and chicken soup. Remain as active as possible. Moving around helps to loosen built-up mucus and fluids. Elderberry is recommended for upper respiratory tract infections associated with colds. Ginger, Pau d'arco, slippery elm, and yarrow tea can help the common cold. Mushrooms, Maitake, shiitake, and reishi, stimulates the immune cells making them essential in fighting the flu. See your Natural Health doctor and/or medical physician if symptoms worsen. Need supplements? For all of your supplement needs go to the "store" page on www.drchandlend.com or www.davincilabs.com . |
Vitamin D The Sunshine Vitamin
| Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM |
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As summer winds down and autumn just a couple weeks away it is a good time to start thinking about the "sunshine vitamin" vitamin D. As the days begin to get shorter and the temperature a bit cooler, we will need to manage our vitamin D levels. Vitamin D plays a dual role, that as a fat soluble vitamin and that as a hormone. During the fall and winter moths, especially in latitudes north of Atlanta Georgia, the sun in not at an angle that can produce vitamin D through the skin. Vitamin D is needed by the body to regulate calcium and phosphorus. More extensive roles for vitamin D include: immune system regulation, cancer prevention, diabetes prevention, and mood elevation. Who needs to have more vitamin D? Older people, those that stay indoors or work indoors, people of color, people in long term care facilities, people that have health issues and those in areas that receive fewer hours of sunlight (those north of Atlanta) in the fall, winter and spring months. It is a good idea, if you fall into one of these categories, to have your blood levels check at your next doctor's appointment. Anything less than 50 ng/L is considered low, although most medical doctors and laboratories have a range of 20-100 ng/L with 20 consider being low. For some people, especially those that have health issue, the optimum level should be 70-80 ng/L. How much should I take? How much is enough? How much is too much? It is difficult to answer these questions without knowing what your vitamin D levels are. That is why it is recommended that you have your levels checked periodically. As a general rule, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) used to be 400 International Units (IU) per day which is equivalent to about 10 mcg. In 1997, the National Academy of Sciences revised their guidelines and issued Adequate Intake (AI) levels. These are recommendations based on nutrient intake levels by a group of healthy people, that are assumed to be adequate. The AI levels did not change the RDA of 400 IU daily. More research has suggested that these levels be increased to 800 IU daily. More and more studies show that most Americans are low or below optimum levels. My suggestion is that all people should supplement vitamin D3 (or if you are vegan vitamin D2). I recommend that everyone supplement with at least 1,000 - 2,000 IU daily. The most important thing is, know what your levels are. If you are low, you may need to supplement at higher doses. It is not recommended to supplement at extremely high doses (above 10,000 IU daily) for long periods of time. For otherwise Healthy Individuals: Infants and children........................800 - 1,000 IU Teenagers........................................800 - 1,000 IU Males and Females up to age 50.....800 - 1,000 IU Males and Females 51 -70 years....1,000 -1,500 IU Males and Females older than 70....2,000 IU Pregnant and Lactating women.......800 - 1,000 IU If you have a health condition, please get your Vitamin D level checked! Disclaimer: This blog and all of its content is for informational use only. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness and does not substitute for the advice of medical physicians. Seek medical approval before starting any supplemental routine or protocol. For supplemental vitamin D or any supplemental vitamin, herb or mineral, please visit my website at www.drchandlernd.com, click on the "Store" tab. There you will find links to DaVinci Laboratories of Vermont, IHERB, and Natural Dispensary. |
Post Nasal Drip and mucus
| Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:02 PM |
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The buildup of mucus in the nasal cavities that run down the back of the throat (instead of running out the front) is known as Post Nasal Drip (PND). Many people (including yours truly) experience this condition from time to time while others experience it on a chronic basis. Often, it is a seasonal thing that affect most people during the spring and fall. According to “WebMD” PND is symptomatic of a number of health related conditions. After finding the cause, a more specific treatment can be given (i.e., a drug). So, let’s explore some of the more common reasons people have PND. 1. Bacterial infection of the nasal lining and/or sinuses 2. Viral infection of the nasal lining and/or sinuses 3. Fungal infection of the nasal lining and/or sinuses 4. Inflammation of the nasal passages 5. Allergies (cigarette smoke, food, pollen, dust, dander, mold and mildew) 6. The common cold 7. Spicy foods 8. Strong odors (food, perfumes, cleaning substances and other chemicals) 9. Physical defects such as a deviated septum As you can imagine, there are many reasons your PND can occur with each of the above examples. For instance: you could be working in the yard or visiting someone in the hospital (or other place, it doesn't really matter) and you inhale bacteria, a virus, or allergen that sets up in your nasal lining or sinuses. This can happen especially if your immune system is challenged by other illnesses or depletion of vital nutrients. As for odors, if you can smell it, then you are inhaling it's particulate matter (when you think about it, it can be kinda gross). Ok! So you have PND with mucus in the back of your throat and it is driving you nuts. What can you do? Obviously, if you know what is causing it, then the answer is simple (sort of). The solution is a three step process, identify, prevent, and treat. Identify the cause. This may take a little work on your part. Some (with myself included) know the triggers that cause PND. Others may have to do a little more investigative work. Is it because of some medication (prescription or over the counter) that you are taking, an allergen such as dust, pet dander, mold, food, or do you have a physical problem? Are your symptoms better or worse in certain locations, after eating certain foods, or different times of the day? Prevention: Avoid the trigger, strong odors, allergens, foods that produce mucus such as dairy, spicy foods and places that contain bacteria, virus mold and mildew. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose. Beef up your immune system by eating properly, sleeping well, exercising and drinking plenty of water. Use mattress covers, hypo allergenic pillow covers, regularly wash bedding in hot water. Install humidifiers in the home or bedroom to prevent nasal dryness. Use HEPA filters to filter out allergens and vacuum often. Treatment: For stuffy nose and to thin and reduce mucus use a saline nasal spray or (if you have no physical obstruction) use a Netti pot to flush nasal passages and sinus cavities. IMPORTANT: If you do use a Netti pot, use distilled water and not tap water. make your own saline solution by using 1/2 tablespoon of non iodized salt mixed in 8 ounces of water for each nasal cavity. If you have (or suspect that you have) a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection add 1-3 drops of Oil of Oregano to the saline mix. Using the saline spray or Netti pot flushes the allergens, bacteria, virus, and fungi out of the sinus cavity and nasal passages. Also, gargle with a saline solution (made the same way) several times a day to break up and remove the mucus in the back of the throat. The use of saline is not only a treatment but a highly effective preventative measure. Don't blow your nose. This only pushes the mucus further into the sinus and may cause a severe sinus infection. Instead, go the other way and spit the mucus out. Natural decongestants and expectorants: A decongestant is a substance that relieves mucus congestion in the upper respiratory tract i.e., nose, sinus, lungs. An expectorant promotes the discharge of mucus. Foods should be your first choice as a decongestant and expectorant. Onions and garlic are potent decongestants/expectorants. Garlic can be taken in pill form or eaten raw. Spicy foods (if you can tolerate them) such as wasobi, horseradish, chili peppers, and citrus fruit relieve congestion. Honey mixed with a little warm water can clear a stuffy nose (if you are not allergic to honey or bee stings). Steam is a natural decongestant: whether you sit in a hot bath with door shut, drape a towel over your head with a pot of steaming water, or use a humidifier, you will get the same results. Hot, wet air shrinks swollen nasal tissues and breaks up phlegm. You can add a little apple cider vinegar, oil of oregano, Eucalyptus oil, or peppermint to the water for even better results. Drinking water and plenty of it also helps thin and flush mucus away. Supplements: Vitamin C thins mucus and boosts immunity. Try 2,000 - 5,000 mg of Vitamin C in divided doses throughout the day. Choose a vitamin C product that is buffered and contains bioflavonoids. The best product, in my opinion, is the Liposomal C from DaVinci. This product is highly absorbable and well worth the money. For PND caused by allergies try Vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettle leaf, eyebright, turmeric, butterbur (alkaloid free), and citrus bioflavonoids. New Chapter makes a superb product called "Sinus take Care" that has many of these ingredients plus a few others. I use this product and it definitely helps. Combined with the measures discussed here, you could effectively manage or eliminate your PND and excess mucus. For more information, contact Dr Chandler. For supplements to help with PND, allergies, or other purposes please use the store page at www.drchandlernd.com. DISCLAIMER: This post is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe medications for any specific condition. No supplements recommended or mentioned in this post have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Always consult your physician before starting any supplement routine. Eucalyptus oil should not be used by children under the age of 12. |
The reasons you should Choose Natural Medicines
| Posted on July 24, 2012 at 1:58 PM |
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Ten Reasons to Choose Traditional Naturopathy Updated and Reprinted from www.drchandlernd.com/articles 1.Continuing to Feel Ill and Don’t Know the Reason Why? We all want to be healthy and to feel well. Chronic and or persistent recurring symptoms such as: Headache, digestive upsets, low energy, insomnia, nervousness and pain makes us feel unwell. More frequently than not, these symptoms often go unexplained by medical doctors even after you are subjected to a host of medical tests. In most cases, you are sent home with no answers and a bottle or two of pills (with their side effects) as a solution. And you still feel ill! Why? This is often the time most people decide to seek a more natural approach to their problems. Traditional Naturopathy provides a whole new approach and method of treatment. Some Medical doctors profess to be "holistic". What does that term mean? A holistic approach includes steps that address the mind, body and spirit (more on this later). Medical doctors give a brand new meaning to this term. They view holism as the "whole body". They exclude the mind and the spirit. 2. Traditional Naturopathy “Does no harm.” Traditional Naturopathic doctors swear an oath that was first recited by Hippocrates “to first do no harm.” Even though the conventional medical doctors swear by the same oath, unfortunately, our medical community “harms” people in alarming proportions. Every year in the United States over 250,000 deaths occur because of errors by health care professional during medical procedures, hospital stays, adverse drug reactions from prescribed or administered drugs, and surgery mishaps. In the Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 284, dated July 26, 2000, it states that medical errors, made by its conventional medical community, are the 3 leading cause of death in North America. This does not take into account the pharmaceutical mistakes and the ever on-going prescription drug epidemic in this country. Every year thousands die and thousands more maimed from misuse and illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs. These very drugs that the medical community use to "do no harm". Traditional Naturopathy, by contrast, does not perform invasive surgery, does not use prescription drugs or radiation. Procedures used are natural, gentle, and are more easily accepted by the body’s systems. Some may say that all substances (even natural) have side effects. While this statement is true in its broadest sense, most natural supplements have been used safely for hundreds even thousands of years. In several articles published by Life Extension, August 2012 issue, you will learn that many of the supplement companies are (or better stated, have been) bought by large companies that have little to no experience in the supplement area or are major drug companies. For example: The multiple vitamins Centrum is a division of Pfizer and One-A Day is made by a division of Bayer. Other examples include the purchase of New Chapter by Proctor and Gamble, the makers of Emergen-C bought by Pfizer, and Solgar and Nature's Bounty bought by Carlyle Group. In another article published in the same issue Life Extension brought to light "Pharmacy Chains Don't care if you live or die". The article explains how these chains market and sale items such as cigarettes and other tobacco products, junk food, over the counter drugs and pharmaceuticals with there side effects, and the misleading and poorly formulated store brand (or private label) supplements and products. It is all about the money folks! You don't see multi million dollar natural health care facilities dotted across the nation and it is not because natural remedies do not work. It is because of the major pharmaceutical companies that push there products on a less informed public through a (my opinion) corrupt government agency. 3. Traditional Naturopathy Treats the Cause not the symptoms. Doctors of naturopathy look for and then treat the cause of the symptoms being experienced. Sometimes it takes trial of several remedies. But, unlike medical procedures where doctors only treat the symptoms (of course with pharmaceuticals, cut out, or burning out), naturopaths take the time and research to find the true cause of the illness/disease. 4. Traditional Naturopathy treats the Whole Person (Mind, Body, Spirit). We believe that there is an interconnection with the physical, mental and emotional aspects of one’s being (a life force or vital energy). Naturopathic doctors recognize the ability of one to influence the other, either negatively or positively. As stated previously, some holistic medical doctors view holism as treating the whole body using drugs, surgery, radiation, and a few select herbals combined with the USDA food pyramid. In a book entitled, Invitation to Holistic Health, a Guide to a Balanced Life, written by Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN MPH, ND, PhD and published by Jones and Bartlet, 2004 she explains the meaning of holism as: The term holism refers to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. In other words, 1+1+1+3 or 5 or more. When applied to health, holism implies that the health and harmony of the body, mind and spirit create a higher, richer state of health than would be achieved with attention to just one part, such as a physical functioning. Although some people equate it with the use of complementary and alternative therapies, holistic health is a philosophy of care in which a wide range of approaches are used to establish and maintain balance within an individual. P xvi 5. Traditional Naturopathic Doctors are well trained. There is a myth that alternative treatments are bogus or unreliable snake oil sold by quacks with no formal training. This myth is simply not true. There is also a myth that you have to be licensed in order to be effective or legitimate. This myth is also simply not true. In order to receive the designation of N.D., the person has to complete a doctoral level program from an accredited school. This program is a grueling process that requires years of work, study, and research. The licensing issue is a political issue (mostly backed and pushed by those "elite" naturopaths from naturopathic medical schools located on the west coast who want to practice medicine but do not want to go through the medical education process), not one of credibility or effectiveness. As mentioned earlier, Medical doctors, who are licensed, are mostly responsible for over a quarter million deaths each year in North America. Traditional Naturopaths are Board Certified and have earned the designation N.D. 6.Traditional Naturopathy is Evidence-Based. Modalities used in Naturopathy have been criticized as not being backed by any research. The facts are there is an enormous amount of clinical trials and scientific research in the naturopathic field that have been conducted over the past one hundred years. More recent trials and research findings have been published in all of the highly respected medical journals in the US, Canada, and the world. There are researchers that try to disprove natural therapies to the gain of pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession. They use inferior products, synthetic supplements, insufficient amounts, and flawed research to taint the natural remedy industry. 7. In-depth, Longer Consultations. The first consultation with a Naturopathic doctor takes between 1 and 1 ½ hours or even longer. Clients are given as much time as needed in any follow-up sessions. Clients are encouraged to voice any concerns and ask all of their questions regarding their health care. Naturopaths are doctors who truly listen and really care about their client’s well being. 8. Stop the Guessing. Health and wellness conscious Americans spend billions of dollars each year purchasing vitamins, herbal remedies, and over the counter drugs. These purchases are frequently based on advertising, hearsay and trail and error. This practice is expensive and dangerous as many of the supplements and herbal formulas can interact adversely with each other and with over the counter drugs and prescribed pharmaceuticals. Many medical doctors are not familiar with the contraindications of these supplements. Many people do not reported the use of herbal supplements or over the counter medications to their medical doctor or to the pharmacist. A Traditional Naturopathic doctor can keep you safe, save you money, and eliminate the guesswork. 9. You can Keep your Conventional Doctor. We will work with your Conventional Doctor. In recent years many Medical Doctors have come to realize the importance of Naturopaths. Many Medical doctors are now showing a more open mindedness in working with Naturopathic doctors, especially when their patients insist. 10. Prevention – Lowering the risk of Diseases that Kill. In naturopathy, prevention is the central principle. Today’s big killers; heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer risks can be reduced, even when there is said to be a predisposition to a disease. Life style counseling, adequate nutrition and stress reduction techniques, to name a few, are essential to prevention. In many situations, the amount of medications can be reduced and many eliminated thereby eliminating unwanted and dangerous side effects. If you would like more information on how you can benefit from Naturopathy, please contact Dr. Chandler. Source: Internet research August 5, 2008, Article published in Naturopathic Medicine, Ten Reasons to Choose Naturopathic Medicine, (2001), by S. Sayers, T. Choi, and Bruce Lofting, N.Dion Life Extension Magazine, Volume Eighteen/Number Eight August 2012 Pp 10-12. Charlotte Eliopoulos, (2004) Invitation to Holistic Health, Jones and Bartlet, Sudbury, MA xvi (Copyright 2012) Chandler Naturopathic Health Center Gastonia, NC 28054 704-864-6423 |
Diseases link to Soda Consumption
| Posted on July 5, 2012 at 3:18 PM |
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Nearly everyone likes to have a soda or two.Many like to have several sodas per day. What is the harm in drinking a soda a day? Is there a difference in drinking a diet soda verses a regular soda? Why you should think twice about the next soda you are about to drink or allow your child to drink. Who am I to talk to you about drinking sodas? I have been a long time fan of the wonder elixirs from Coke to Pepsi to Sun drop to Mountain Dew and many many more brand names and some not so brand named drinks. It seems like I was raised on the stuff. I remember my school days as a young lad. Those days pretty much started with a soda, in my case it was often an accompanied by a sugary snack like a candy bar or cupcake. On a hot summer day, me and my friends would gather at the local community store and have a moon pie and a soda (just for the record we called sodas "dopes" back then. Even into adulthood, I couldn't (or wouldn't) stop drinking the stuff. Often, I would drink several of them a day, at work,at home, and at restaurants. I would drink them with just about every meal. Hey, they didn't do anything to my health! WRONG!! The major problem I have had with drinking sodas has been dental issues, tooth decay and heartburn and acid reflux. But that is me. I have known people that have drank so much of this stuff that they have developed much more severe conditions that, in fact, led to death. I know that is a strong statement, but in my opinion and experience, it is true. The kicker is, they really didn't drink that much. Like everything else in life, it depends on the individual reaction to what they are doing. Statistics show that Americans drink more soda than ever before. Despite the health risks that have been touted by numerous organizations and recent attempts to regulate the size of drinks sold at fast food places, Americans continue their thirst for soda. So much in fact that TheNational Soft Drink Association reports that 600 12 ounce servings are consumed per person per year. In 2006, I stopped drinking sodas and I haven't had one since. What is the harm? I'll give you 11 good reasons to say No to sodas. 1. Obesity. Soda is a significant contributor to added pounds. It doesn't matter if the soda is diet or not. In fact, some studies show that the diet sodas cause even more weight gain. 2. Tooth decay. The chemical in soda erode tooth enamel. The acidity of soda combined with the sugar dissolves tooth enamel much faster than the sugars in candy along. 3. Liver damage. Too many sodas can cause cirrhosis of the liver, just like the risk faced by alcoholics. 4. Diabetes. Drinking soda decreases the body'sability to process sugar. As in number 1 above, weight gain is a major factor in development of type II diabetes, soda increases that risk. Type II diabetes has tripled in our population since the1980s. More young adults and children are diagnosed with diabetes today. Diagnoses of younger and younger people is becoming the norm. 5. Kidney stones and kidney disease. Sodas, of all kinds, have high levels of phosphoric acid. This substance changes the urine and promotes kidney stone formation. For those of you that have not had a stone, you do not want one. 6. Hypertension (high blood pressure). Experts have reasons to believe that consumption of soda (diet or regular) increases blood pressure. 7. Heart disease. research shows that drinking one or more sodas per day increased the risk of developing heart disease and metabolic syndrome (combination of conditions such as: obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose (sugar), elevated triglycerides, and low levels of good cholesterol (HDL). 8. Osteoporosis. Phosphoric acid is linked to osteoporosis (a weakening of your skeletal structure). When phosphate levels are high, it pulls calcium from the bones. 9. Cancer. Soda consumption has been linked to elevated risks of developing pancreatic cancer and esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer can develop in people that have GERD. Soda consumption causes an increased risk of development of GERD. I know two people that have died (one was 26 the other 56) of esophageal cancer. Both were heavy soda drinkers, often a liter per day. Soda feeds other cancers. The sugar in soda acts as food for the developing cancer cells. 10. Heartburn/acid reflux. Carbonated beverage sare highly acidic. In addition, they deliver a lot of air in the form of carbon dioxide, which can cause stomach distention. That distension is associated with more reflux. As stated earlier, reflux disease can lead to esophageal cancer. 11. Immunity. Each teaspoon of sugar can reduce your immune response for 60 minutes. Most 12 ounce can of soda have between 10 and 14 teaspoons of sugar in them. For each 12 ounces of soda, your immune response is diminished 12 hours. In addition, sodas now have a very disruptive type of sugar, high fructose corn syrup or HFCS. This sugar is even more disruptive to the immune system than the regular white sugar that was used many years ago. It’s hard to eliminate the things that provide you comfort. Sodas do that for many people, provide them comfort. I am not telling you to give sodas up completely. One every once in awhile is alright, provided you have no other health issues. My concern is over consumption and the daily consumption by our children. ADD and ADHD are among the fastest growing psychological diagnoses of our children. I see children drinking soda at every meal; it is the beverage of choice for them. Most children diagnosed with ADHD are actually suffering from severe nutritional imbalances. Soda adds to that imbalance by robbing the body of vitamins and minerals, weight gain through empty calories, and through caffeine concentrations that equal a cup of coffee per serving of soda. Its no wonder that our kids are hyper, only to be diagnosed with ADHD and given drugs along with their daily dose of soda. |
Carnosine, the anti-aging supplement.
| Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:55 PM |
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Carnosine has been in the news lately withpeople like doctor Oz stating its miracle benefits. So, what is this miraclesupplement and what are the many benefits of supplementing with it? Carnosine, or more specifically L-carnosine, isactually made of two amino acids. The combination of alanine and histidine makethis compound and is classified as a dipeptide. As an amino acid or dipeptide,l carnosine is a protein building block. Carnosine is usually made in the body,especially when we are young. As we age our ability to make this substancebecomes more and more difficult. In our youth, l-carnosine is abundant inmuscle and brain tissue. Since levels of carnosine declines as we age, it isthought that supplementation of this compound slows the aging process. Carnosine is responsible for numerous functionsin the body. Physical appearance is certainly one of them. This is because proteins,built in part by carnosine, change over time. As you have probably noticed,physical appearance changes over time as well as does general health. Other functions of carnosine include: preventionof disease, minimizes damage to body tissues, it is an antioxidant thatneutralizes free radical damage, it bounds toxic metals and eliminates themfrom the body before they can cause damage to tissue, and it strengthens theimmune cells. Who should consider taking carnosine? To startwith, people who do not eat enough complete protein (foods that contain allnine (9) of the essential amino acids: meat, fish and dairy are often cited asfoods that contain complete proteins). Anyone with a specific health concernthat may be helped by carnosine ( epilepsy, seizures, autism, diabetes, Alzheimer’s,heart disease, skin conditions, heavy metal toxicity, and many more). Any onethat is interested in anti-aging benefits. Some studies show that carnosine canactually help reduce wrinkles. It can help promote lean muscle mass.L-carnosine can prevent the development of diseases and minimize tissue damage,which is thought to increase lifespan. How much should you take? Carnosine is anextremely safe supplement with few (if any) side effects. The usualrecommendation for general anti-aging and protection from free radical damageis 50 to 200 mg per day taken with meals. Looking for carnosine supplements? IHERB IHERB offers a $5 offcoupon on your first order, use coupon code GUQ700 in the shopping cart. |
Calcium Study
| Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:02 PM |
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Well it has been a while since my last post. I have enjoyed a very long vacation with my beautiful wife and partner Jann celebrating our wedding anniversary and her birthday. We've spent time exploring the outer banks of NC from Newbern, Ocracoke, Duck and Manteo to discoveries along the way and to the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Reflecting upon our travel, one can only conclude that there is a divine intelligence that not only created our world and universe but also the human spirit. We witnessed many beautiful things, people, and places. We learned so much about history, nature, and life in general. All of this beauty abounds in just our state. We can't wait to discover more places, people and things in other parts of great nation. With a renewed dedication to each other and a deeper love for each other, our lives are ever more enriched. So what's new in our natural health world? There was a study recently published that stated the beneficial properties of calcium turns out to be false. The study reports that the use of calcium supplements by women aided in the development of heart disease and that it did not help in bone loss. (You can find an article on the report on "WebMd". Yes, that is what was reported in the study. I must admit, I have never been a proponent of taking calcium supplements (especially in the amounts and ratios often prescribed) but, I was taken aback by this study. With that said, I don't believe that the study reveals the "whole truth." As a natural health doctor and practitioner, I belive that the more nutrients that you can get from your foods the better you will utilize those nutrients. However, there are situations and circumstances that mandate the use of supplementation. In this study, thge researchers did a meta analysi of about one dozen clinical trials. These trials alo include the supplementation of vitamin D. The problems, that I have with the study, are they do not indicate what kind of calcium was supplemented (and it matters) nor the amount of calcium and vitamin D being supplemented. The bottom line from my standpoint is: You probably do not need calcium supplementation if you eat a lot of dairy and other calcium rich foods. If you feel a need to supplement calcium, include vitamin D3 and magnesium. In my opinion, the ratio of calcium, vitamin D3 and magnesium should be 1/2/1. In other words , 500 mg of calcium, 1,000 IUs of vitamin D3, and 500 mg magnesium taken together. |
Dimethylglycine (DMG) Amino Acid in its simplest form.
| Posted on June 7, 2012 at 2:20 PM |
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Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a derivative of glycine, which is the simplest of the amino acids. It is the building block of many important substances including the amino acid methionine, choline, many hormones and neurotransmitters, and DNA. Research shows DMG to be physiologically active and important to cell metabolism. DMG is a safe, natural, non toxic food substance that does not build up in the body. It is a water soluble intermediary metabolite (it has a temporary role in the cell cycle before being rapidly broken down). DMG can be produced in the body in small amounts from the amino acids choline and betaine. Supplementation can increase levels that can result in increased health benefits within the body. Some of the benefits of having higher levels of DMG in the body include: enhanced immune system, strengthening both immune systems by stimulating both B cell and T cell production, increased production of antibodies, cytokines, and lymphocytes, strengthening anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor properties and modulating the inflammation response; improves cardiovascular functions by reducing elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides levels, helps to normalize blood pressure and glucose levels, and helps to maintain homocysteine levels within normal range; improves neurological function, may help with in controlling epileptic seizures, may help in verbal communications and social interactions in individuals with autism; and it improves the functioning of many organs including the liver and detoxification processes among other whole body health processes. Some sources of natural DMG are in foods like meat, beans, seeds, and whole grains. Is DMG supplementation right for you? Anyone that has challenges to the immune system, athletes (sports practice and fitness), people with cardiovascular issues, stress, support for neurological issues, autism spectrum (autism, ADD), seizures, support for carbohydrate metabolism (diabetics), liver detoxification and support, auto immune diseases, cancer, respiratory disorders (allergies/asthma), stress, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia may benefit by taking a supplement form of DMG along with anyone who wishes to gain general health and anti-aging benefits. Looking for DMG products or more information? Go to www.drchandlernd.com click on the store page and click on the DaVinci Laboratory link or go directly to www.davincilabs.com/davincicon/?a_aid=Chandler. DaVinci has several specific products (some available in tablet, chewable tablet, and liquid), with DMG: Aller-DMG, Behavior Balance-DMG, Cardio-DMG, COQ10-DMG, Energy-Plex, Fibro-DMG Gluconic - DMG, Gluconic Gluta-DMG, Immuno-DMG and Neuro-DMG. DaVinci also provides "sell sheets" for each product that gives additional information on that product. |
