In addition to the various conventional methods of diagnosing a patient's problems, we choose to incorporate the underutilized and highly accurate approach to diagnosis: letting the body tell us what's wrong.
I've often told patients that the body is very chatty; one only needs to know how to listen in order to pick up the hidden signals of dysfunction. Here are a few of the ways that the body tells us its problems:
1. Nails (finger and toe)
Most people are familiar with mineral deficiencies that are connected with brittle nails. My guess is that there is less understanding about nail appearance. Spoon-shape, horizontal or vertical ridges, white spots or bands on nails or nail beds, yellow or darkened nail beds or soft, easily peeling or tearing nails and opaque white lines all are indicators of different endocrine or organ dysfunctions.
Another even less well known indicator of meridian imbalances is the development of a hang nail or breakage of one or more specific nails as a constant occurrence. That is not just a mineral deficiency; it points directly to the early indication of a specific organ weakness that, if left unchecked, will eventually lead to more dire problems.
2. Skin
As our largest organ, the skin shows what's going on, revealing our body's deepest, darkest secrets. Dry, scaly and/or itchy areas indicate either one or more hormone imbalances or lack of certain fatty acids in the diet. Moles or small red "freckles" on the face usually correspond to meridian organ deficiencies. Vertical lines on the upper and lower lips each correspond to an area of intestinal imbalance. Discoloration of the face indicates energy imbalances. Frequently, as we age, we develop tiny red raised or flat discolorations all over our body. These don't just "pop up" because we age. They usually develop along specific meridians, again, indicating energy imbalances that need to be addressed or there will be problems, later on.
3. Tongue
The tongue is an excellent indicator of impending dysfunction. Vertical or horizontal lines, discolorations, geographic tongue and deep crevasses all are very useful diagnostic indicators.
I have had occasion to see most of the above-mentioned indicators in patients over the years. I can say that, once correctly addressed, the nails will heal, the skin will change (even including the disappearance of spots/moles/freckles) and the tongue will revert back to looking healthy, again. The body not only is chatty, but it really, really wants to live in balance within all of its systems. It just needs a little help.
Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Lifestyle Choices Can Seriously Affect Your Health
Part of my assessment of new patients includes a toxicity screen to enable both of us to see how the body is reacting to internal and external toxins. Many people do not realize how their choices directly impact their health and how simple changes can reverse even the most significant and chronic of symptoms. Once we identify the offending products/chemical exposure, we are able to restore wellness to the patient. Let's take a look at what small changes may result in large rewards.
1. Cleaning products
Take a look at the label of the products you use on a daily basis. Frequently, the chemicals used are either petroleum based or highly toxic when used over a long period of time. America's Test Kitchen tested many of the popular, conventional cleaning products and found the best one is, "The Method." It's a completely natural, non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner that is both cost-effective and a germicide. You can make your own cleansers, but as that can get a bit messy and time-consuming, I'm not including that method. Remember, anything that you get on your skin is absorbed and circulates in the blood...affecting the entire body. As much as possible, switch your cleaning products to the natural, organic brands.
2. Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener
This is another group of products that causes a lot of chemical toxicity. Borax (a brand that has been around forever) along with a natural soap (Costco has some excellent brands for a very reasonable cost) cleanses effectively and safely. Fabric softeners, including those used in the dryer are full of chemicals that are stored in our fat and accumulate over time.
A fantastic way to soften clothes is to use pure lamb's wool. HSN offers lamb's wool balls that you simply put into the dryer with the wet clothes. We have some pure lamb's wool that had been made into small blankets that we cut up and use in the dryer. It works beautifully and lasts for years. Your clothes won't have any smell to them, but will be very soft. Remember, clean shouldn't smell!
3. Personal care products and cosmetics
This is the category that contains the greatest exposure to harmful chemicals because women use make-up, hair conditioner/shampoo/coloring/sprays and gels on a daily basis. Remember, all these chemicals are circulating in your bloodstream as you read this, if you aren't using organic products. My favorite companies are "100 percent pure" "Just Natural" and "Naturtint." Aveda carries many wonderful hair colors that are around 96% harmful chemical-free, if you don't want to color your own hair. Change just one product at a time, if you can't change every personal product at once.
4. Water purifiers
Since we need to drink half of our body weight in ounces of water, daily, we really need a high quality water purifier on our cold water faucet at the kitchen sink, at the very least. There are many very good ones out there. Do a little research to get the one that best fits your needs and budget. Please, don't just buy bottled water in plastic...plastics contain estrogen-mimicking chemicals that have been wrecking havoc on our reproductive hormones for a couple of generations.
5. Food
I know many believe that buying organic foods is just too expensive. Changing from a conventional to an organic diet all at once can be very hard on the budget. So, my suggestion is to start with the most important part of our diet, first...vegetables and fruit. Buying organic produce saves us from ingesting more harmful chemicals than I could list. Washing fruit and vegetables is of no real help in ridding them of these chemicals, especially when it comes to those with seeds. The food is sprayed at the seed stage and the produce develops with the poison in it. " One small change at a time"....say it with me.
In my next blog, I'm going to tell you about unconventional markers that the body develops that indicate possible imbalances and/or toxicity before any symptoms appear. The body always signals us when there is a developing imbalance; the problem is that most doctors/practitioners are not trained how to identify these indicators.
Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com
1. Cleaning products
Take a look at the label of the products you use on a daily basis. Frequently, the chemicals used are either petroleum based or highly toxic when used over a long period of time. America's Test Kitchen tested many of the popular, conventional cleaning products and found the best one is, "The Method." It's a completely natural, non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner that is both cost-effective and a germicide. You can make your own cleansers, but as that can get a bit messy and time-consuming, I'm not including that method. Remember, anything that you get on your skin is absorbed and circulates in the blood...affecting the entire body. As much as possible, switch your cleaning products to the natural, organic brands.
2. Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener
This is another group of products that causes a lot of chemical toxicity. Borax (a brand that has been around forever) along with a natural soap (Costco has some excellent brands for a very reasonable cost) cleanses effectively and safely. Fabric softeners, including those used in the dryer are full of chemicals that are stored in our fat and accumulate over time.
A fantastic way to soften clothes is to use pure lamb's wool. HSN offers lamb's wool balls that you simply put into the dryer with the wet clothes. We have some pure lamb's wool that had been made into small blankets that we cut up and use in the dryer. It works beautifully and lasts for years. Your clothes won't have any smell to them, but will be very soft. Remember, clean shouldn't smell!
3. Personal care products and cosmetics
This is the category that contains the greatest exposure to harmful chemicals because women use make-up, hair conditioner/shampoo/coloring/sprays and gels on a daily basis. Remember, all these chemicals are circulating in your bloodstream as you read this, if you aren't using organic products. My favorite companies are "100 percent pure" "Just Natural" and "Naturtint." Aveda carries many wonderful hair colors that are around 96% harmful chemical-free, if you don't want to color your own hair. Change just one product at a time, if you can't change every personal product at once.
4. Water purifiers
Since we need to drink half of our body weight in ounces of water, daily, we really need a high quality water purifier on our cold water faucet at the kitchen sink, at the very least. There are many very good ones out there. Do a little research to get the one that best fits your needs and budget. Please, don't just buy bottled water in plastic...plastics contain estrogen-mimicking chemicals that have been wrecking havoc on our reproductive hormones for a couple of generations.
5. Food
I know many believe that buying organic foods is just too expensive. Changing from a conventional to an organic diet all at once can be very hard on the budget. So, my suggestion is to start with the most important part of our diet, first...vegetables and fruit. Buying organic produce saves us from ingesting more harmful chemicals than I could list. Washing fruit and vegetables is of no real help in ridding them of these chemicals, especially when it comes to those with seeds. The food is sprayed at the seed stage and the produce develops with the poison in it. " One small change at a time"....say it with me.
In my next blog, I'm going to tell you about unconventional markers that the body develops that indicate possible imbalances and/or toxicity before any symptoms appear. The body always signals us when there is a developing imbalance; the problem is that most doctors/practitioners are not trained how to identify these indicators.
Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Exercise May Keep Your Brain Young
A study out of the University of Miami, connected with the larger Northern Manhattan study, shows that moderate to heavy exercise can delay the cognitive aging of the brain, including delaying the onset of Alzheimer's.
People who participated in speed walking, running, raquetball, aerobics and similar high-intensity exercise were shown to have higher baseline scores and slower cognitive decline in comparison to those who were less active.
Unfortunately, strolling, golf, bowling and yoga showed no cognitive benefits for the older members of the population. Our daughter would heartily agree with the idea that golf is of no physical benefit. She maintains that it's an activity, not a sport. However, the way my husband used to play...speed golf, where he ran between every shot.... that type of golf might be reconsidered as "significant exercise," by some.
This study, in my opinion, helps illustrate the idea that lifestyle choices can truly add up when it comes to the condition of your health. I'll elaborate more on that in my next blog.
Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com
People who participated in speed walking, running, raquetball, aerobics and similar high-intensity exercise were shown to have higher baseline scores and slower cognitive decline in comparison to those who were less active.
Unfortunately, strolling, golf, bowling and yoga showed no cognitive benefits for the older members of the population. Our daughter would heartily agree with the idea that golf is of no physical benefit. She maintains that it's an activity, not a sport. However, the way my husband used to play...speed golf, where he ran between every shot.... that type of golf might be reconsidered as "significant exercise," by some.
This study, in my opinion, helps illustrate the idea that lifestyle choices can truly add up when it comes to the condition of your health. I'll elaborate more on that in my next blog.
Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com
Monday, March 7, 2016
Feed Peanuts to Your Baby to Help Avoid Future Nut Allergies
The following is an excerpt from the latest study about nut allergies in children.
"A bold and controversial experiment that showed feeding peanuts to babies and young children could protect them from developing allergies later has shown long-term effects, doctors reported Friday. The children were largely protected a year after stopping peanuts.
After avoiding peanuts for a year, just 5 percent of the children who were given peanuts as babies developed a peanut allergy, the researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine. That compares to nearly 19 percent of children who didn't get peanuts as infants.
The findings reinforce guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups, which recommend giving children small amounts of peanuts to help avert allergies. For children at high risk because of a family history of allergies, or because they have eczema or other allergies, this should only be done under a doctor's supervision.
'This study offers reassurance that eating peanut-containing foods as part of a normal diet--with occasional periods of time without peanut--will be a safe practice for most children following successful tolerance therapy,' said Dr. Gerald Nepom of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle.
'The immune system appears to remember and sustain its tolerant state, even without continuous regular exposure to peanuts,' added Nepom, who also heads the Immune Tolerance Network, a research group sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com
drkollars@gmail.com
"A bold and controversial experiment that showed feeding peanuts to babies and young children could protect them from developing allergies later has shown long-term effects, doctors reported Friday. The children were largely protected a year after stopping peanuts.
After avoiding peanuts for a year, just 5 percent of the children who were given peanuts as babies developed a peanut allergy, the researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine. That compares to nearly 19 percent of children who didn't get peanuts as infants.
The findings reinforce guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups, which recommend giving children small amounts of peanuts to help avert allergies. For children at high risk because of a family history of allergies, or because they have eczema or other allergies, this should only be done under a doctor's supervision.
'This study offers reassurance that eating peanut-containing foods as part of a normal diet--with occasional periods of time without peanut--will be a safe practice for most children following successful tolerance therapy,' said Dr. Gerald Nepom of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle.
'The immune system appears to remember and sustain its tolerant state, even without continuous regular exposure to peanuts,' added Nepom, who also heads the Immune Tolerance Network, a research group sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com
drkollars@gmail.com
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