MARCH 8, 2018 Oysters

Oyster is the  for a number of different families of  molluscs that live in marine or  habitats. In some species the valves are highly calcified, and many are somewhat irregular in shape. Many, but not all, oysters are in the superfamily Ostreoidea

Do you eat oysters ? Oysters are very nutritious There are a number of parasites or diseases you can acquire from eating ' bad' oysters. 

Some kinds of oysters are commonly consumed by humans, cooked or raw, and are regarded as a delicacy . Some kinds of pearl oysters are harvested for the pearl produced within the mantle

The history of the Oyster is unique. I decided to purchase and start reading Oysters: A Global History in the Edible Series  The author is Carolyn Tillie. I love learning facts about plants, animals, and people. I highly encourage the Edible Series as a gift for someone special

The oyster holds a special lore for those that know about oysters. It is said to be an aphrodisiac

I found out that the first oyster pie recipe dates back to 1604 in a painting Lancelot de Casteau. Did you ever see a painting of the Goddess of Love ?  - Aphrodite by the Greeks and Venus by the Romans. Notice paintings of her- she is emerging from a oyster shell. 

The book gives recipes, website and apps that are most useful. 

Buy this book

Until tomorrow....

MARCH 7, 2018 BIELER'S BROTH

There are many names for this broth- conscious cleanse, detox cleanse, or the cleansing cleanse. It is reserved for the individual who cannot hold anything down

 The person who cannot hold anything down including water. I have seen many ways to make this broth.  It can used for the stressed out stomach

This is the version of the broth that I like the most

1. Cut up equal amounts of the following:

1. parsley 2. celery 3. green string beans   4. zucchini squash

2. Put in a pan and add just right amount of water to cover the vegetables

3. Bring to a boil  and then simmer for 10 minutes

4. Remove from pan and place all in a blender and liquefy it all

If need strain the broth and have the individual do one teaspoon every 10 minutes

There are different versions on the Internet. This is the mother of all vegetarian broths- A real superhero

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 6, 2018 CHILOMASTIX MESNILI

Chilomastix mesnili: This is a pear shaped intestinal flagellate which is transmitted through direct ingestion of the cyst stage. It is not a common parasite. It can occur in the small bowel but mainly in the cecum. Most literature I read it is considered a commensal organism, it can play a role in chronic disease

In our case, it was found in a male who has had cecal carcinoma and now is in remission I never did a stool analysis in the recent past so did not discover this organism

Interestingly this is a non parasitic member of the primate gastrointestinal microflora , commonly associated but not causing parasitic infections  It is associated in 3.5 % of the adult population in the United States.  As I stated before, it lives in the cecum and the colon. In addition to human it is found in chimpanzees, orangutans, monkeys and pigs.t population in the United States. This organism has a similar lifestyle to Giardia lamblia.  It does other with other parasitic infections. Upon researching it, it can create a false positive which can result in unnecessary treatment

Recently this patient traveled the Camino Trail There needs to be questions whether he consumed pork on this trip which might have been undercooked.

Until tomorrow..

MARCH 5, 2018 MICROBES AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

The incidence of autoimmune diseases has sharply risen over the last decade. I would say I am seeing at least 3 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis per day. Is it  only related to gluten sensitivity or is the answer found in the gastrointestinal system. Today functional doctors like myself focus on the gut-brain connection and the type and amount of bacteria in the microbiome. This is the hot topic.

Once a patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease we know that there is already tissue damage. We do know certain bacteria are associated with certain autoimmune disorders. As an example Klebsiella bacteria is associated with ankylosing spoondylitis; chlamydia with multiple sclerosis; Yersinia bacteria with Hashimoto's thyroiditis; and multiple bacteria with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Recently on a stool analysis I found in a 60 year old white male the presence of Chilomastix mesnili This intestinal flagellate resides mainly int he cecum . More to be revealed.

Until tomorrow...

MARCH 3-4, 2018 OBESITY

We have more overweight Americans than ever before. Metropolitan cities like New York City, now has overweight people.It never used to be like this . Each year obesity related deaths are increasing Today more than 70% of adults are overweight with 37% of those being obese and 5 % are morbidly obese.  You must reduce body fat. You must reduce calories., You must stop the sugar

Obesity is one of the twin epidemics --the other being diabetes. Both obesity and diabetes lead to the number one killer--Cardiovascular Disease. In addition abdominal obesity is linked to chronic diseases and cancer as breast, uterine and gallbladder in women and prostate and colon in men.

Stress leads to an increase in a stress hormone, cortisol which is linked to increases in sugar and central obesity

Do you want a quick fix. ? I feel these are not as effective but I do know a lifestyle change is effective. Here are some suggestions

The plant, Giffonia simplicifolia can promote saiety which thus leads to reduced calorie intake can be effective.  There are 4 berberine derived plants which can balance sugar, balance lipid concentrations and combat obesity.

Chromium is an effective supplement that facilitates glucose uptake in cells as well as lowering body weight

All of these suggestions must be applied to a lifestyle change that increases dietary and exercise lifestyle as well as addressing addictions, meditation, self esteem, anger and self love

Until tomorrow...

March 2, 2018 CBD - CANBIOLA

 Education is knowledge. Cannabidiol , also known as CBD is one of many compounds found in the hemp plant and other cannabis varieties. CBD IS NON PSYCHOACTIVE

CBD wil NOT get you "high" This is one misconception that must be cleared up. Only the THC from the plant will get you high. Hemp plants are non psycho active with less than 1 % of THC

There is a network in the body called the Endocannabinoid system ( ECS) CBD and its other compounds act upon the ECS which have receptors throughout the body including the brain . The ECS helps regulate the biological processes of the body. CBD is a non toxic way to support the ECS

CBD has many uses. Some of the major reasons I utilize CBD is for anxiety, sleep and inflammation. It goes beyond that. It is anti bacterial, can inhibit the growth of cancer, and can be neuro protective.. It ahs been studied to reduced seizure and the use of epileptic drugs

One company, Canbiola has invested a lot into education of the public and medical professionals on CBD Please see www.canbiola.com

Their source of CBD is from the US using Pharma Grade isolates. They combine their CBD with other nourishing essential oils to reduce pain, inflammation, and stress while promoting anti aging and healthy living. 

Until tomorrow...

March 1, 2018 HONEY

Honey is the nectar of flowers transformed by the honeybee ( Apis mellifera) into this sweet secretion that is deposited in the honeycomb of a beehive. I didn't appreciate the efforts of honeybees until I became a beekeeper 12 years ago. Just to sit and watch honeybees flying into the hive with pollen .I await April of every year with anticipation. This pollen is converted to honey by the specific worker honeybees.

Honey is a syrup composed of fructose, glucose, water, protein ( as in pollen ) enzymes, minerals and the pure essence of the flower it was taken from. Honey has been used for thousands and thousands of years, medicinally and as a food source. 

Honey not only can be used for wound healing in many studies. but it also inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori. ( like another natural substance, a resin from the Mastica tree)  Honey contains pollen grains from a wide array of local plants.  Daily use of local honey results in approved immunity to the local allergens and thus can be used to treat allergic symptoms. 

I usually have One  teaspoon of local honey every morning. At night I have a teaspoon of raw honey as it  can increase your own level of melatonin.

Until tomorrow....

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 PLANTS AND CANCER

I have been fortunate as a non-Oncologist  to teach Oncology to the naturopathic medical students. It has enriched my knowledge base as well as having benefited my patients. As an integrative physician I have always believed that botanical medicine has been effective for a treatment of a variety of diseases. 

Some plants have provided conventional medicine with chemotherapy for cancers . These include the following: 1. Taxol from the Pacific yew tree; 2. vinblastine and vincristine from the Madagascar periwinkle, and 3. Irinotecan and Topotecan from the Happy Tree.

Conventional oncologist tend to avoid supplements during chemotherapy. Research has been done and articles written on the effectiveness of Tumeric ( Curcuma longa) given during chemotherapy.  Studies indicate that 50 - 60- % of cancer patients use herbs and supplements during their chemotherapy.  The use of turmeric has increased over the years There are many studies to validate the use of turmeric ( Alternative and Complimentary Therapies Vol 24, No 1. February 2018 )  Curcumin has the ability to target cancer initiation, growth and tumors in many ways.  Studies are equivocal. More studies need to be done on turmeric especially randomized controlled trials.

Until tomorrow...