Integrative Health Blog

What do people who have had a military IED injury, Lyme disease or whiplash have in common?

by Debbie McCabe

At a recent conference I learned that the Pituitary Gland of the people who have survived these health challenges may be affected. Not only can the pituitary gland be affected by an IED (improvised explosive device) injury, Lyme Disease and whiplash, but sports injuries (soccer, football and sports where the athlete endures multiple body and head blows) as well.

Why is that such a big deal you ask?
Well, the Pituitary Gland is also called the "master gland" and as such it is probably the most important gland we have.

The pituitary gland is a tiny organ, the size of a pea, found at the base of the brain. As the master gland of the body, it produces and secretes many hormones that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes and stimulating other glands to produce different types of hormones. The pituitary gland controls biochemical processes important to our well-being.

The pituitary gland makes these types of hormones:
* Prolactin - Prolactin stimulates milk production from the breasts after childbirth to enable nursing. It also affects sex hormone levels from ovaries in women and from testes in men.
* Growth hormone (GH) - GH stimulates growth in childhood and is important for maintaining a healthy body composition and well-being in adults. In adults it is important for maintaining muscle mass as well as bone mass. It also affects fat distribution in the body.
* Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) - ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Cortisol, a so-called "stress hormone" is vital to our survival. It helps to maintain blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
* Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) - TSH stimulates the thyroid gland, which regulates the body's metabolism, energy, growth, and nervous system activity. This hormone is also vital to our survival.
* Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) - ADH, also called vasopressin, regulates water balance. If this hormone is not released properly, it can lead to too little hormone (called diabetes insipidus), or too much hormone (called syndrome of inappropriate ADH). Both of these conditions affect the kidneys. Diabetes insipidus is different from the more well-known diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes, which affects the levels of glucose in our bodies.
* Luteinizing hormone (LH) - LH regulates testosterone in men and estrogen in women.
* Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - FSH promotes sperm production in men and stimulates the ovaries to enable ovulation in women. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone work together to cause normal function of the ovaries and testes.

We now have a panel of tests to help diagnose dysfunction in the Pituitary Gland and more importantly treatments that have improved, or in many cases resolved, the  physical and mental issues suffered by those diagnosed with these issues. Talk about life changing. More good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the lab testing, and based upon the lab results will usually cover the cost for medications. 

National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metro area. 

 

 

 

Holistic Nutrition: Pasta that may help you LOSE weight!

I can't tell you how excited I was to finally find pasta that I could enjoy, guilt-free. I come from an Italian family, and I definitely enjoy eating pasta, but the health drawbacks kept me from enjoying it as frequently as I'd like. Then I discovered a product that is calorie-free, carb-free, wheat-free, gluten-free and soy-free, and it actually aids in weight-loss! It's called Miracle Noodle and it's fantastic! Miracle Noodle comes in a huge variety of shapes including angel hair, fettuccine, and rigatoni. Their website is www.TryMiracleNoodle.com. They also offer specialty products such as black angel, agar-agar and a mushroom nutrition pack.

The secret ingredient is glucomannan, an all-natural water-soluble fiber. Glucomannan slows digestion, allowing your body more time to absorb nutrients while maintaining the feeling of fullness after you eat. Plus, medical studies have shown that Glucomannan is beneficial for controlling type 2 diabetes, relieving constipation, and lowering cholesterol.

I love Miracle Noodle so much that I've started recommending it my clients. It's a great way to increase your fiber consumption, and lends itself nicely to an array of tasty preparations. Remember, getting healthy does not have to mean eating foods you do not enjoy! In fact, truly getting healthy can be a very pleasurable experience! Below is a recipe from their website www.TryMiracleNoodle.com:

Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
8 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced fine.
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup dry white wine
½ cup chicken stock
3 packs Miracle Noodle Spaghetti

Heat olive oil at low to medium temperature in a large skillet. Add the garlic and gently roast on low to medium heat, be very careful not to brown garlic. This should take approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the basil, tomato, salt and pepper. Now add the wine raising the heat slightly and cook for about 1 minute. Pour in chicken stock and cook until sauce reduces to a gravy-like consistency, raising the heat again if necessary. At this point reduce heat to low. Drain and rinse pasta, toss in sauce and serve.

For more ways to lose weight and get healthy while ENJOYING yourself.... STAY TUNED!  I will be announcing a very special free webinar with my good friend and colleague Jena La Flamme of the Jena Wellness Center in New York City. It will be packed with information you can use immediately to explore ways to experience PLEASURE to while getting the body you want and deserve.

Here's to your health!

Eve Colantoni, CHC

Eve Colantoni is a certified health counselor at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a holistic & integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, and founder and director of the Weight Loss for Tired People Nutrition Program.  

Why Holistic Health?

by Cathy Scoblionko MSN, ANP-BC

After working as a nurse on the oncology unit in the hospital (many years ago) and then as a home care nurse, I realized that intervention at that point was too late and it made more sense to prevent problems and disease. The USA has epidemics of chronic diseases such as cardiac disease, diabetes, asthma, and obesity, to name a few. These diseases are often preventable and can be treated better than has been the norm. As a nurse practitioner working in primary care I could educate and care for patients at an earlier point. However, I soon found out that the traditional system in which I was educated did not have answers to many questions and people often did not get well.

A Holistic Health Approach

Using a holistic approach means that I use allopathic (traditional) medicine, Chinese medicine theory, diet and lifestyle management, herbal medicine, and homeopathic medicine among others. All have their place in the quest for health. There are limitless specialists to whom to refer for a multitude of other modalities. Each specialist has chosen his or her passion and developed the skills to be the best he can be in that realm.

The Patient as Partner

The role of the patient is to become a partner in his or her own journey toward health. There are some important questions to ask yourself when deciding to take charge of the health of your mind, body, spirit and emotional selves: What makes sense and resonates with you? Who do you trust?  What do you know about the different traditional, alternative, complementary, and integrative approaches that are available? How do you find out what you need to know? How much time, money, and energy are you willing to invest in your current and future health? How good is your support system? How much encouragement do you have?

To be healthy means more than just that the whole you is free of disease. The whole person: body, mind, spirit, and emotions are optimally healthy. That is holistic health and it only makes sense to practice that way.

Cathy Scoblionko MSN, RN is a Masters prepared Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area. Her areas of specialty are holistic primary care, women's health, and anti-aging.

A holistic dental approach to sensitive teeth

by Michelle Janbakhsh DDS

Teeth sensitivity or "dentinal hypersensitivity" is one of the most painful and chronic dental conditions with a prevalence of 4%-57% in general populations and an even higher prevalence in periodontal patients (60%-90%). Patients usually complain of chronic or recurring pain upon drinking cold beverages, hot foods, or breathing in and out. Pain is sharp and short, and lasting irrespective of the stimulus. Women may be affected more than men. It can affect all teeth but canines and premolars are  reported to be affected the most often. Exposed root surfaces due to gum recession are a major predisposing factor to tooth sensitivity. 

Dentin is one of the four major components of the teeth. It is the most abundant tissue that determines size and shape of the teeth. Dentin is found under the enamel in the crown. It is made up of many tubules that radiates from the pulp (nerve) to the surface. These tubules contain nerve fibers that are responsible for sensation of pain. In an open dental tubule any change in the surface (e.g. temperature change) will perceive as pain in the tooth. A sensitive tooth has more open tubules per surface area compared to a non-sensitive tooth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Dentinal hypersensitivity can have multiple etiologies, or causes.  Certain conditions such as decays, defective fillings, fractured or cracked teeth or gingival conditions should be ruled out.
Gum recession, tooth brush abrasion, picking at the cervical area of the teeth with finger nails, poor oral hygiene and leaving bacterial plaque on the root surface, and overzealous brushing can leave the teeth sensitive. Exposure to acidic foods and beverages, ingestion of chlorinated pool water, GI reflux disease, bulimia as well as bruxism (clenching) can contribute to dental hypersensitivity.
Reduced salivary flow (hyposalivation) and dry mouth (xerostomia) are also a risk factor for cavities and tooth demineralization and may exacerbate sensitive teeth. Hyposalivation may be due to medical conditions, and it is also a side effect of more than 500 over the counter and prescription drugs.

Treatment Options

Correct brushing technique to prevent further loss of dentin, and avoid brushing teeth immediately after ingesting acidic food. Avoid picking or scratching at the gum line.
Use an over the counter tooth paste that contains 5% potassium nitrate (e.g. Sensodyne), which acts by decreasing the excitability of the nerve fiber in the dentinal tubule. These pastes may take up to 3-4 weeks to show effectiveness.
Professionally dispensed pastes such as MI paste and Proclude can help seal and clog the dentinal tubules. Oral sprays such as Mist Oral that contains CoQ10, green tea extract, propolis extract, and Vitamin K can support healthy gum and would be a good adjunct to the above pastes.
In office treatment options may include:

a) sealing the areas affected with bonding

b) polishing teeth with Proclude paste containing arginine that binds to the surface dentin and blocks the tubules

c) use of ozone trays that also acts by blocking the tubules and desensitizing the teeth

d) gingival grafting (surgical procedure)

As a part of the routine holistic dental exam the severity of teeth sensitivity should be addressed, diagnosed, and treatment options discussed. It is important to then follow up and reevaluate the therapeutic results during each recall appointment. 

Michelle Janbakhsh, DDS, is a holistic dentist at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a integrative medicine and holistic dental center serving the Washington,DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metro area. Known as Dr. Jan to her patients, she practices integrative medical dentistry and treats the whole person.

Holistic Nutrition: the "dirty dozen" fruit and vegetable list

Were you aware that non-organic fruits such as peaches, strawberries and imported grapes are some of the most contaminated produce you can buy?

After analyzing over 85,000 government tests, the Environmental Working Group dubbed twelve fruits and vegetables the "dirty dozen." So named because they're the most likely to contain pesticide residue, some of the "dirty dozen" can have dozens of different pesticides on them at once.

Of course, organic is your best option when buying produce. But, when you can't go organic, take note of what you're putting into your cart to make sure you're not getting more than you bargained for!

Here is the complete list of "dirty dozen" items that I recommend you purchase only if they're grown organically:

Peaches
Apples
Bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Imported grapes
Carrots
Pears

In addition to naming the Dirty Dozen, the Environmental Working Group identified the "Clean Fifteen". These are the fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides even when they're not specifically organic. They are:

Onion
Avocado
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes

This information is so valuable to health, healing and weight loss that I've included an entire section on "Going Organic" in my holistic nutrition weight-loss program, "3 Months To Sexy, Slim and Energized for 2010".

This unique coaching course is an up-to-date health and energy management program which can be done from the comfort of your own home!

It includes twelve 60-minute recorded classes, twelve 30-minute live Q&A sessions and one 30-minute 1-on-1 session with me in which we discuss your progress and formulate an action plan for the future. 

In our twelve weekly sessions we address topics such as:

To Eat or Not to Eat: Meat

Organic vs. Chemical-Treated Foods

Breakfast Solutions For People on the Go

Making the Switch from Processed to All-Natural

How to Love the Foods that Love You Back

Find out what's been keeping you overweight and tired. Get healthy, delicious recipes for eating in and resources for when you want to eat out. Discover your body's needs and learn how to meet them for now and forever.  

LATE ENROLLMENT ENDS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2ND, 2010!

Check out the program and sign up now:

Weight Loss For Tired People

Eve Colantoni, CHC, is the lead Nutrition and Wellness educator at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a leading integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, and founder and director of the Weight Loss for Tired People Nutrition Program.  

 

How to Quit Smoking- Naturally, Painlessly, and Successfully

By Charles Gant, MD

Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, is one of the most powerful poisons on earth. It's so toxic that as few as two or three drops of pure nicotine applied directly to the skin of an average person will kill him or her within minutes. In lower doses, nicotine can cause high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat, tremors, convulsions, and central nervous system overstimulation. There is no known antidote for nicotine poisoning.

How is it that so many people habitually use such a powerful and potentially deadly toxic substance on a daily basis? Moreover, how is it that smokers who are addicted to nicotine are given prescriptions to the very substance they're hooked on in order to stop smoking? The answer to both questions lies in the way our brains work.

How are brains work

Our brain cells, or neurons, communicate with each other by means of small molecules, called neurotransmitters, that they manufacture directly from nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. When neurons exchange these molecules with each other, they enable us to stay focused and alert, to be able to deal with stressful situations, and to block out pain, among many other things.
When sufficient amounts of nutrients are available to our brains so they can produce and exchange these chemical neurotransmitters in adequate amounts, we tend to stay on top of things, to remain relaxed and happy, and to get pleasure out of everyday life experiences. However, when our brains don't have enough of the nutrients they need to produce neurotransmitters in sufficient quantities, we can become irritable, unable to focus, angry, even depressed. If neurotransmitter shortages continue for longer periods of time, we begin looking for ways to deal with them.

Nicotine changes the way our brains work

Among the most common solutions many of us find to this problem is to take up smoking. That's because, simply put, nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, changes the way our brains work. It artificially interrupts the normal process of manufacturing and exchanging several different types of neurotransmitter, temporarily making us feel "normal" again. The problem is that once the nicotine is used up, our brains are once again unable to produce the neurotransmitters we require to feel good, and we need another cigarette. If you're a smoker, as you continued to smoke, your brain got used to using nicotine as a substitute for its normal production of neurotransmitters, and you began to rely more and more on the nicotine and less and less on your brain's natural ability to keep you focused, alert, and happy. Presto! A habit was born.

Rebalance the brain

The real problem in trying to quit, though, is not the cigarettes themselves but the fact that some physicians may not have a good understanding of how our brains work. They're unaware that there is a straightforward way to rebalance our brain chemistry so that we no longer need nicotine. Even folks who have been smoking cigarettes for years find that within a short time of using a revolutionary new strategy called the Power Recovery Program, their cravings may diminish, or even disappear. Best of all, you don't have to stay hooked on nicotine, or take any other addictive substance, to stop smoking. What you do need to do is to take measured doses of several key nutritional supplements, which are likely in short supply in your body. Doing this makes key nutrients available to your brain and enables you very quickly to resume producing the neurotransmitters you need to overcome the craving for cigarettes and to begin to feel normal again without them.

Nutritional Supplements

There's a special Quick-Start for Smokers stage in the Power Recovery Program that enables you to understand exactly which nutrients are in short supply and have led to your needing to use cigarettes to make you feel better. Quick-Start for Smokers explains exactly which nutritional supplements you need to immediately provide your brain with the nutrients it requires to jump-start the production of the neurotransmitters that can reduce or eliminate your cigarette cravings and get you off on the right foot toward recovery. Best of all, with the Quick-Start nutrients you have the choice of quitting smoking right away or tapering off the use of cigarettes gradually.
The Quick-Start for Smokers nutritional supplement formula consists of the amino acids L-Glutamine and L-Tyrosine, 5HTP, lecithin, vitamin C, and a combination of other vitamins and minerals that are available by purchasing any one of a number of national brand name multi-vitamin, multi-mineral capsules. The Quick-Start for Smokers formula can be found in the newly released book, End Your Addiction Now  available from NIHA Products and online booksellers. If you choose to purchase the supplements individually, they're available at supermarkets or health food stores. They're also available in a specially formulated product, called Tobac PAK, that can be purchased from NIHA Products or online at NuPathways.com.

Bottom line: If you are a smoker who has struggled with quitting and feel that you're hopeless, take heart. The Power Recovery Program approach has had unprecedented success with helping people overcome addictions of all types, including cigarettes.

You can do it too!

CE Gant, MD, is a nationally renowned pioneer in the fields of nutrition-based medicine and substance abuse. At Tully Hill Hospital, where he served as medical director, he achieved a remarkable 83 percent success rate in ending patients' addictions. Dr. Gant practices at National Integrated Health Associates in Washington, DC, and is author of End Your Addiction Now. Read more about him at Charles Gant MD.

Holistic Nutrition Program: NIHA Scholarship Announcement

by Eve Colantoni CHC

Unsure what else to do, I got down on my hands and knees and prayed. "I give up", I remember saying to no one in particular. "I just give up".  Truth was, I felt defeated and utterly miserable. I had been sick for so long, I didn't really remember what it felt like to be well, to feel good, to be really happy.

At this point, I was on 14 different medications. That's quite a bit for anyone, much less for a 32 year old woman. And despite all the drugs, I still felt awful all the time. I had no energy, I was depressed, riddled with anxiety, would sometimes have full-on panic attacks, suffered from migraine headaches, allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue, insomnia, etc. etc. Really, I could keep going with my laundry list of symptoms, but I think you get the idea.

There came a turning point in my life though. A time when I realized I had had enough and I was truly ready for a change. I had reached the point where I had become sick and tired of being just that, sick and tired...

Have you ever heard the expression, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" ? Well, this is what ultimately happened to me. At the time, I did not see all the ailments I was suffering from as a gift. I didn't realize I was being presented with challenges to overcome with a greater purpose ahead of me.

One by one, as I overcame condition after condition, I was learning. I was learning what worked and more often what didn't. Today, looking back, I see my journey in healing as the greatest gift I ever could have received. The truth of the matter is that I could not have gained the knowledge that I have now if I had gone to any medical school in the country. My illness was my boot camp. My training ground. And now, everyday, I get to pass on to my clients all that I've been able to learn. How I spend my days has never been more rewarding.

Being able to "give back" makes it all worth while which is why I've decided to offer this scholarship. As I began on my healing path, it always seemed that just as I needed it, the right book would appear, the right lecture would come up, the right practitioner would come into my life to help me sort out the pieces I couldn't figure out on my own. Now, I'd like to offer the same assistance to someone out there as well.

I've designed my 2010 Weight Loss For Tired People Group Coaching Program to really provide the maximum benefit, with the easiest format and the lowest cost possible. Even at that, I know times have been tough for a lot of people out there and there are so many who could really benefit from a holistic nutrition program.

That's why I'm giving away a seat in this semester's Holistic Nutrition program. Here are the three easy steps you have to do to apply:

Step One: Take a minute to review the program completely to make sure it is the right match for you by visiting:

http://www.WeightLossForTiredPeople.com/blog

Step Two: Tell us your story! Below, in the comments section for this blog, leave a note about the weight loss or health challenges you've had and why you think you would benefit from my program. You can choose to leave your name, or just your initials.

Step Three: Click to Email your name and phone number to me so I can contact you if you're selected. I'll also need you to tell me which entry is yours. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  JAN. 19, 2010   DO NOT DELAY!!

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THIS TUESDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2010 BY 6 PM (EST) FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER THAT EVENING!!

I wish you all the very best in your health journey and look forward to reading your inspiring stories.

With warmth and gratitude,

Eve Colantoni, CHC
www.WeightLossForTiredPeople.com
www.NIHAdc.com Nutrition and Wellness 

The Weight Loss For Tired People Group Coaching Program is a holistic nutrition program offered by National Integrated Health Associates, Washington DC's premier integrative medicine and biological dentistry center.

Holistic Nutrition: Eating "Icky" Rabbit Food Won't Get You Skinny

By Eve Colantoni

In my last article, I explained how eating baby carrots can make you FAT. We then discussed the proper way to make sure you're not adding any fat-creating elements into your system. (If you missed the article CLICK HERE to check it out)

Right after, I got an email from a young lady whom I admire for being so TRUTHFUL...

She wrote: "I hate to admit this, but I just can't get excited about eating a carrot when my friends and I usually go out for some really awesome, warming foods that feel rich and creamy and satisfying... like Loaded Baked Potato Soup or Creamy Sweet Corn Chowder. You know, those really rich, heart-warming soups that taste soooo good this chilly time of year, but are soooo bad for my growing waistline! Sorry, but a raw carrot just doesn't compare..."

I read her email and you know what? I get it!

I truly understand that it's easy to look at all our favorite "comfort foods" and then look at the "healthy stuff" and think NO WAY!

The truth of the matter is this: IF IT DOESN'T TASTE GOOD, WE'RE NOT GOING TO EAT IT. PERIOD.

So what good is that carrot to us if we don't want to eat it? Not much, right?

This is where things get good.....I'm going to share TWO really big secrets with you:

#1 We have to FIND ways that taste DELICIOUS to "sneak" the veggies into our system (if you don't love them) and ...

#2 This is the BIG one- Once we do start to get them back into our system, our bodies will actually start to CRAVE the good stuff once again!

This is really where the magic begins. You see when you start craving the GOOD stuff.... you get to satisfy all your food cravings WITHOUT ANY GUILT WHATSOEVER.

You get to eat stuff you ACTUALLY DESIRE!

The reason you'll start to CRAVE the carrots is simple. When your body is actually getting something it needs, like all the betacarotene and other phytonutrients that carrots provide, it will begin to want MORE of it.

So here's a way you can "trick" your body, your mind, and your taste buds into "loving carrots" - even if we really want the rich, creamy unhealthy Loaded Baked Potato Soup!

3 ACTION STEPS:

1.) Join me for a FREE Teleclass

"Delicious Foods and Fantastic Tips To Beat Holiday Weight Gain!" I'll teach you how to sneak good foods in, substitute better foods for all the "bad stuff" and give you the tools you need to make it through the holidays WITHOUT packing on any more pounds!! CLICK HERE To Register for free teleclass

2.) Finally make your New Year's Resolution To Lose Weight For Good! Beginning now, I'll be reopening my acclaimed program WEIGHT LOSS FOR TIRED PEOPLE: 3 MONTHS TO SLIM, SEXY & ENERGIZED FOR 2010!! Don't let this year be a cliche. Think of how good you will feel next year at this time IF you start now. Finally get slim and healthy, and regain the sexy body you deserve! Visit here for details: www.WeightLossForTiredPeople.com 

3.) Try this great recipe. Make  this awesome, simple, but oh so creamy, delicious soup!

Curried Coconut Carrot Soup

1 tablespoon coconut oil (you can substitute a good quality butter)
1 tablespoon mild curry powder
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 (1/2 inch slice) peeled ginger, smashed
3 1/2 cups of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup coconut milk
Good quality sea salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper

Heat the oil over medium and add the garlic, ginger and curry powder. Saute for 2 minutes over medium low. Add the carrots and onions and saute for another minute. Add the stock and bring to a boil. When the soup has reached a full boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for roughly 20 minutes until all the vegetables are soft.

Remove from the pan and working in batches, use a blender to create a smooth soup.

Return to a saucepan and add the coconut milk, sea salt and pepper. Heat through. ENJOY!!

Eve Colantoni, CHC, is the lead Nutrition and Wellness educator at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, a leading integrative medical and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, and founder and director of the Weight Loss for Tired People Nutrition Program.

Allergies? Try Needle Free Allergy Testing and Treatment

by Dr. Barbara Solomon

Have you had fatigue for the last two months or on and off during the year?
Do you have a rash, fatigue or sinus problems that suddenly occurred after moving into a new home?
Do you have headaches that are unexplained?
Do you have unexplained intestinal or vaginal issues?
Do you have sinus or throat problems reoccurring that are not infectious?

Think of allergies.

Do you have skin rash (eczema, hives, psoriasis), nasal, or lung problems (asthma) that occur in the spring and fall?

Think of pollen allergies.

If you have symptoms all year long think of dust or mold allergies.
Have you been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)?

Mold and food allergies could be the cause. Even arthritis can be aggravated by food sensitivities and mold allergies.

When we think of allergies we generally think only of sneezes, hives, or watery eyes. In fact, allergies may cause a vast range of symptoms from fatigue and depression to constipation and headaches. Allergies can affect every major body system.

The unique comprehensive allergy testing and treatment strategy at NIHA addresses both the immune response and the autonomic nervous system response to the allergen.

Have you been avoiding visiting an allergy doctor because you or your child hates needles?

We understand! 

Dr. Barbara Solomon, an integrative doctor, has been using NEEDLE FREE, non-invasive allergy testing and treatment for over 12 years. Her patients are so pleased to find the cause of their problems and to finally be relieved of their allergy symptoms.

To schedule a consultation or read more see the NIHA health program for Allergy Testing and Treatment.
 

Barbara Solomon MD is an integrative doctor at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medical and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area.  She specializes in Allergy and Environmental Medicine, multiple chemical sensitivities and finding the root cause of difficult cases. 

Holistic Nutrition: How eating baby carrots can destroy your diet

by Eve Colantoni CHC

If you're like me, you're probably thinking, "OH COME ON! Carrots have got to be one of the healthiest foods around! How could they be destroying my efforts to lose weight?" I know this is what I was thinking before I learned the truth.

Please be warned: what you don't know could be killing any chances of successfully losing the weight and keeping it off permanently. All without you ever knowing! It's no wonder why you try so hard, and face frustration because you never achieve the results you want: a slim, trim, sexy, healthy body. It's like "invisible forces" are working against you.

It is time to shed some light on hidden "fat factors"...

If you've attended our nutrition program or weight loss classes, or heard Lisa and me talk before, you ought to know one of our core principles by heart and that is:

"It's not about the food, it's what we've DONE to the food!"

This is the case with baby carrots. Carrots ARE one the best foods you can eat, but here's a really important question for you.... Do you know where "baby carrots" come from? Guess what? They sure don't come out of the ground looking the way they do when you get them in the neat little zipper-locked baggies you find in the grocery store.

What happens is that during the harvesting, a number of the full-sized carrots that get pulled from the ground break in the process, or they may be deformed, or "runts" (not big enough).

The producers know that they can't sell you a bag full of half broken vegetables, or ones that look deformed or too stubby. Instead of wasting these, they simply find a way to "pretty them up" and sell them to you differently.

Hence, the birth of the baby carrot. These broken or deformed carrots get shaved down to the cute little pieces we're used to snacking on. Did you ever wonder why they look so perfect? They didn't grow that way.

Unfortunately, because we're now dealing with massive industrialized food production, harmful bacteria can enter the scene. In order to "protect" us from this potentially pathogenic bacteria, the food manufacturers will soak these little guys in BLEACH.

Yes you read that correctly: THEY SOAK THE BABY CARROTS IN BLEACH.

The reason this can lead to sabotaging your weight loss efforts is many. First, bleach is not something that is natural to the body. The body views it as toxic waste that needs to be immediately DETOXIFIED from your system.

Here's why this is so bad for weight loss:

You're probably working hard to get your metabolism in high gear so you have the energy to burn fat and lose weight. What's happening though is that your body will redirect the energy AWAY from fat burning and point it toward the goal of getting the chemicals out of your system!

No fair, right?

Isn't it maddening to know that a food you're eating is actually creating more work for your body, so it can't focus on the job you want it to do: SHED THE POUNDS!

But here's where it gets worse: If your body can't detox all the chemicals you're ingesting, it feels the need to protect your vital organs from them. To create this protection, it will take the chemicals and STUFF them into your fat cells!

That's right.... this food you've been eating, thinking it will help you lose weight can actually contribute to your FAT GAIN.

So, here's what you need to do right now to avoid destroying your weight loss efforts...

ACTION STEPS:

1.) Remember our core principle, "It's not about the food, it's what we've done to the food!" The carrot is not the enemy! It's the mass produced "food production" we need to steer clear of. Chemicals in processed foods (preservatives, pesticides etc.) may slow our metabolism and sabotage weight loss.

2.) When you go to the store, reach for the bag of FULL sized, organic carrots. All you need to do is scrub them off and chop them up! You'll find that they taste better and are usually sweeter than their bleach-soaked "baby" relatives.

3.) To hear more great tips and get some answers to your weight loss questions join Lisa Wilson and me next Thursday, December 10th for a FREE teleconference: "Why Diets Don't Work!" Click here for more details....

4.) Don't think you need to "go it alone".Starting in January 2010 we'll start a new class of our acclaimed WEIGHT LOSS FOR TIRED PEOPLE PROGRAM. Stay tuned for details! We'll be giving you a TON of extra tips between now and the new year, and let you know how you can get onboard with our LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAM FOR FREE!

Eve Colantoni is a certified health counselor at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medical and dental center serving the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, and founder and director of the Weight Loss for Tired People Nutrition Program.