Category — Food and Nutrition

I recently attended a continuing education seminar, where I learned some very important information on the toxic effect of mercury on the human body.  Mercury toxicity is more common that you may think.  You may be surprised to find that mercury is used in:

• Thimerosal – a preservative used in the flu vaccine (and possibly other vaccines)
• CFLs – compact fluorescent light bulbs (mercury is released if broken)
• HFCS – high fructose corn syrup (mercury is used in the manufacturing process of HFCS)

Check out the following links and come to your own conclusions…

Mercury’s Effect on the Nervous System

Here is a link to an incredible video from the University of Calgary showing how a very small amount of mercury causes neurologic damage.  NOTE: the amount of mercury shown in this study to cause nerve damage was diluted to:

• 10 -7 moles of mercury = .0000001 mole of mercury
• The amount of mercury allowed in flu vaccines = .1246 moles (25 mcg) of mercury.  Thimerosal is a preservative used in the flu vaccine which is around 50% mercury by weight.

http://commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury/

Thimerosal

http://www.fda.gov/biologicsbloodvaccines/safetyavailability/…

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/components-Allergens.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/index.html

CFLs

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_mercury

HFCS

http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/2

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=105026

What you can do:

• Avoid using the flu vaccine and other vaccines using mercury as a preservative.  The potential benefits don’t outweigh the proven risks.  Consider that drug companies can state that their vaccines contain no mercury if the mercury content is below an “acceptable” level.  Do your research before blindly using their vaccine!
• Avoid eating foods containing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).  Mercury toxicity is only one  of the health damaging effects of HFCS.  It has also been linked with diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular problems.
• Use CFLs with caution.  These energy saving light bulbs can be a real headache if they break in an inconvenient place.  Print up (and learn) the clean-up procedure from the EPA and be ready for an emergency cleanup if an accidental bulb break occurs.
• Consider natural detoxification.  We recommend specific nutritional products, ionizing foot baths, body massage, and fasting.  Contact our office for more details.

On July 17th and 18th I had the privilege of attending an amazing seminar in Philadelphia, PA.  It was called “The Y-Files”… because the instructor wanted us to be able to ask “Why?” and then figure out the answers to many common ailments that plague humanity.  The course was led by Dr. John Donofrio, a chiropractor with extensive study in neurology.  The seminar was more of a workshop that allowed a good amount of interaction with the instructor.

Some of the topics we covered were:

• Brain Hemisphericity
• Vitamins/Supplementation/Natural Remedies
• The Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome and Antibiotics
• Risk Factors For Disease
• The Cardiovascular System, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure
• Children’s Health, ADHD, Autism
• Vaccines
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s
• Pharmaceutical Deception
• Nanotechnology Chemicals
• Parkinson’s
• Infections
• Diet and Exercise
• Laser Techniques

The information covered by Dr. Donofrio really stretched me as a chiropractor.  He explained the “big picture” concept of the subluxation – expanding the concept to include imbalances in the brain.  I was able to learn quite a bit and continue to study more on the topics he covered.

Don’t be surprised if when I see you on your next visit, I may perform a new 1-minute test to check for brain imbalance, which will help me focus my care and help with your improvement.  I may also recommend a new nutritional protocol to support the care we are providing.  If you are interested in more, feel free to ask the next time you’re in for a visit!

We have come across a new line of superfood supplements that are very exciting.  They are manufactured by a company called Life Force.  The product that caught my attention is called Body Balance.  This product was highlighted at a chiropractic seminar I attended last Autumn in Orlando, FL.

A couple of top doctors said that if they had one product to start every patient on, it would be Body Balance by Life Force.  The combination of pure organic Aloe Vera and nine sea vegetables makes for a powerful superfood.  Reducing body inflammation, regulating the thyroid gland, balancing the metabolism, and promoting healing is what makes Body Balance so special.

We are also very excited about two other Life Force products that work in harmony with each other.  OsteoProCare and FlexeoPlus.  Together they make up what is called the “Bone & Joint Pack”.  These supplements contain a holistic blend of Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.  They provide superior bone and joint care from the inside out.

So far the Life Force products that we will be carrying in the office are:

• Body Balance
• OsteoProCare
• FlexeoPlus

Please call if you have any questions or would like more information.  You can read more details about Body Balance, OsteoProCare, and FlexeoPlus on our Superfood page.  You can also learn all about the complete line of Life Force products at their web site: www.lifeforce.net.

Hearty Lentil Stew

• 2 cups of dried lentils
• 2 cups organic sweet corn
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 6 cups of water
• 2 cups of kale, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp of oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
• 1/2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
• 1/2 cup raisins

Rinse and drain the lentils.  Add all ingredients to a slow cooker (crock pot) and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  This is a simple and delicious recipe your family will love.

Sweet Cabbage Soup

• 1 C orange juice
• 7 C water
• 1  C rice or soy beverage
• 1/2 C split peas
• 1/2 C steel cut oats
• 1 head of cabbage, chopped into large chunks
• 1 cup Medjool dates
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 C chopped carrots
• 1 C chopped kale
• 3 T veggie base (to make broth)
• 3 tsp spices to taste (oregano, thyme, paprika, etc)

Use a good blender and fill with 3 cups of water.  Add walnuts and dates and blend until creamy.  Then add all ingredients and the blended mixture into a large stock pot.  Cover the pot and cook on a low flame.  Stir occasionally. When the cabbage is tender, use tongs to remove from the soup and put into the blender.  With some soup broth, blend up the chunks of cabbage and pour back into the pot.  Continue cooking, and stirring occasionally, for at least another 60 minutes.

I began taking bee pollen as a natural supplement around 6 months ago.  Why?  Each Autumn I suffer from seasonal allergies/asthma when running out doors.  At times it has gotten bad enough that I had to stop in the middle of a run to catch my breath.  I read that bee pollen is a natural and nutritious superfood that can help greatly reduce or eliminate allergies.  So I decided to give it a try.

The product I’ve been using is  from Y.S. Organic Bee Farms and is called “Fresh Bee Pollen”.  I purchased a bottle at Wholefoods supermarket.  They are not capsules or pills, but are the whole granules. My first experience was a surprise, when after I digested a teaspoon of the pellets I had a distinct sense of heightened awareness and mental clarity that lasted for several minutes.  I continued to take the supplement several times per week and so far this season my seasonal allergies/asthma have reduced to almost non-existent.  

I am still not sure if I can give all the credit to the bee pollen.  My nutritional intake and level of exercise has been fairly constant for some time.  But, I’m not sure if the triggers of seasonal allergies/asthma (pollen, mold, etc.) were as high this year as in past years.  Regardless, I thought it warranted some looking into.  It turns out that consuming bee pollen is somewhat controversial. But probably most superfoods are as well.  So I’ve been doing some research about bee pollen and have discovered some interesting things I’d like to share:

The Nature of Bee Pollen

“Pollen is the male seed of flowers. It is required for the fertilization of the plant. The tiny particles consist of 50/1,000-millimeter corpuscles, formed at the free end of the stamen in the heart of the blossom. Every variety of flower in the universe puts forth a dusting of pollen. Many orchard fruits and agricultural food crops do, too.Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature’s most completely nourishing foods. It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans.”

-from http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/bee_pollen.htm

Some Stated Benefits of Bee Pollen

• Rich source of vitamins and minerals
• Corrects deficient or imbalanced nutrition
• Improves energy level
• Rich source of amino acids (the building blocks of protein)
• Inhibits development of harmful bacteria
• Reduction in allergy and asthma symptoms
• Increases blood hemoglobin, which increases oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells
• Normalizes blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Decreases risk of formation of cancerous tumors
• Improved athletic performance

Some Risk Factors Associated With Bee Pollen

• Possible allergic reaction — including shortness of breath, hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis.
• Not safe for pregnant women
• Not safe for women who are breastfeeding (the nursing infant may have a negative reaction)

How Bee Pollen Helps Treat Allergies

The bee pollen must be taken for at least 6 weeks before the season begins and then continued throughout the season. It works through a process called desensitization.  Exposing your body’s immune system to small doses of allergins (the chemicals that cause an immune response), stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies that eliminate the allergic reaction.  It works in a way similar to the way vaccinations are supposed to work.

How To Take Bee Pollen

If you decide on trying to add this superfood to your diet, here are some tips when starting out:

• To avoid a possible reaction to the pollen, take only a tiny bit first and gradually work your way up to 1 teaspoon per day
• Do not cook the bee pollen (that would destroy the naturally occurring enzymes)
• Eat plain, sprinkle over fresh fruit, or add to juices/smoothies
• Keep it refridegerated

Does bee pollen do all the things that are claimed?  I’m not sure.  Some research supports it and other research says that the claims are exaggerated.  It appears to be a safe whole food product that has healthful benefits.  So far, I’m amazed at the results.

Vegetarian Three Bean Chili

• 2 15 oz. can kidney beans (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 15 oz. can black beans (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes (low salt)
• 2 C chopped seitan (”wheat meat”) or firm tofu
• 16 oz. frozen sweet corn (organic)
• 16  oz. frozen spinach (organic)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 C sunflower seeds
• 1 tsp cumin (to taste)
• 2 tsp Italian spices (oregano, thyme, basil, garlic, black pepper, tarragon, chives; to taste)
• 1 tsp habanero pepper sauce (to taste)

Put all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot and cook covered on a low heat for several hours.  This “comfort food” will make you feel good and will warm you up quickly.  We served it with a simple fresh salad and corn muffins.  Delicious.

Vegetarian “Chopped Liver”

• 6 T extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 C peas
• 3 hard boiled eggs (or substitute eggs with 3/4 C of tofu)
• 30 walnut halves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

1. Cook onions in oil until lightly brown.
2. Add vegetables to the onions and cook for a few minutes more.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Put veggies, walnuts, and eggs in food processor and process until smooth.
5. Chill before serving.

Vanilla Banana Nut Smoothie

• 1 1/2 C spring or filtered water
• 1 C rice milk
• 4 large bananas
• 3 dried dates
• 1/4 C flax seeds
• 3 medium vanilla beans
• 1/3 C raw almonds
• 1/3 C raw walnuts
• ice cubes

1. Add all ingredients to Vitamix or other high-power blender in the order listed.
2. Blend on high for 60 seconds or until creamy.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious smoothie!

Tropical Mueslix

• 2 1/2  cups dry rolled whole oats
• 1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts
• 2 T ground raw chia seeds
• 3 T shredded coconut
• 1 cup sliced banana
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup mango chunks

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl (we get our kids involved by mixing up a large batch; larger amounts can be mixed using the ratios listed in the recipe and then kept in the freezer for future use).
2. I recommend using nut milk(s), soy milk or rice milk instead of cow milk.
3. For a mushy mueslix (which may be better for younger children), use more liquid and let the mueslix soak for 10-15 minutes.