SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 MEDICINES DEPLETE NUTRIENTS

Many of the medications that we take can deplete all of nutrients You should stop your medications but check with a health professional that deals with functional medicine. You should be aware of these pitfalls so you can supplement what you are missing.

One of the most frequently prescribed medications are antacids. These medications decrease stomach acid but also calcium, phosphorous, folic acid and potassium .I feel the antacids are the major cause of symbiosis or small bowel intestinal overgrowth ( also known as SIBO)

In the same way antibiotics deplete the good bacteria, B vitamins and Vitamin K

There are studies that indicate 16- 52 % of woman experience depression. I think this can be attributed to the fact that oral contraceptives deplete B vitamins, magnesium, folic acid, selenium zinc , tyrosine and serotonin.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 2, 2019 PAU D'ARCO - IMMUNE BOOSTING TEA

The weather is changing this week. I tend to drink more herbal teas int he Fall and in the Winter. A tree that is located in the South American rainforest is a great immune booster I have used it in my HIV patients as well as my cancer patients. The herb is from the Lapacho and the Taheebo tree. It has a botanical name, Tabebuia avellandae.

1. Make a decoction with 1/2 oz or 12 grams of Pau D Arco herb and 2 pints of water

2. Chop two pieces of allium- one small onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Chop in a tree oyster mushroom

3. simmer until soft

4. For an added touch add in watercress just before serving the soup

5. Have a cup of soup daily for one week

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 30, 2019 CONSTIPATION

There are many causes for constipation and there are many treatments There is smooth move tea, and there is triphala. There is magnesium oxide at bedtime. There is psyllium seed ingestion.

One remedy that an older woman told me about is prunes. I know about prunes I told her. She said- “ Not this remedy- I use licorice soaked prunes or figs “ She told me her remedy which intrigued me. She uses

1. 1/2 teaspoon of licorice root

2. 2. 1/2 cup of water

3. 3 stewed prunes or 3 stewed figs

Makes the tea by simmering licorice in water for a couple of minutes. Removes from heat and let it steep for 15 minutes Strain and soak fruit for at least 2-3 hours. Eat slightly cold or warmed

It will work ( she assured me )

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 29, 2019 CHILDHOOD TEA

There is a lot of talk of measles and vaccination and the New York State regulations. I am not going to discuss this at this point. Most likely your pediatrician will suggest bed rest for the measles. If you want to lessen your child’s duration of the illness I have a suggestion. This is from an older herbal remedy book. I buy a lot of books- both old and new on a variety of subjects like herbs, plants, bees and nutrition. I came across a childhood tea It uses

1. 1 teaspoon burdock root

2. 1/2 teaspoon of bupleurum root

3. 1 teaspoon of catnip, lemon balm, mullein and even throw in elder flowers

4. 1/2 teaspoon of yarrow flowers and peppermint leave

Combine burdock and bulpleurum in a saucepan and simmer for 5 - 7 minutes. Let stand and add the other herbs. Strain and allow your child to drink as much as possible Toi be honest 2 cups a day for a 50 lb child

As my daughter is 31 years old today I can ask her how it tasted years later

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 28, 2019 BONE MARROW SOUP

Give soup to strengthen and nourish the body. It is good or rather excellent for convalescence. Your grandmother did. It my childhood my grandfather also went to the butcher for the bones. Actually my great Uncle Jimmy and my Poppy had a butcher shop in Queens.

It is simple to make bone marrow soup. Today many use store bought Bone Broth ( a nicer name- but the same thing ) Bone marrow soup is simply the stock or broth made from chicken, turkey, duck, veal and venison and beef bones. The vegetarians are cringing right now. I understand. Toss these potent health laiden nutrient vessels in a pot and simply STEW

You get the calcium and magnesium like no other source. I throw everything in - bones, garlic, onions ( both from the Lily Family - genus Allium ) , carrots, celery and much more. I add 2 tablespoons of apple cidar vinegar to the water.

Slow heating enhances the extraction of some nutrients and improves the flavor. It is delicious and the BEST for the body

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 27, 2019 CALIFORNIA POPPY

When I think about Poppies, I can’t help think of the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz which celebrated its 80th anniversary yesterday. The Wicked Witch has the four walk through a field of poppies which makes them sleepy. This is because the flowers and leaves have a sedative or hypnotic properties. Of course Glenda the Good Witch comes to the rescue and has it snow so the four can wake up. What you didn’t know is that the snow was toxic asbestos flakes falling from the sky.

The botanical name for California Poppy is Eschscholzia californica- the state flower of California This is similar but less toxic than its cousin, The Opium Poppy.

I utilize this plant for gentle sedative properties useful in anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness. It is great for a long plane flight or a long plane ride ( if not driving) I combine it with chamomille for restlessness and cramp bark for insomnia. It is great for nerve pain when combined with St Johns Wort.

It is best to use the fresh undried whole plant if you can get

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 26 , 2019 GENETICS AND GUT INFLAMMATION: OUR PROGRAM

Inflammation or irritation of the digestive system is very common. The most common cause is a dysbiosis which is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. There are two free radicals that can be the culprit - zonulin and peroxynitrite. If a patient has genetic genes that reduce levels of natural antioxidant as gluthathione- this inflammation can get out of hand. There are many genetic variants that do not help digestion allowing the body not to clear toxins.

When dealing with gut inflammation consider genetic testing . There are many variants in HLA genes that contribute to gluten sensitivity. For example there is a FUT2 gene may impact the production of pre biotics which support probiotics

I am delighted that two of my doctors at Connecticut Integrative Medical Center have trained with Peter D’Adamo at the Center of Excellence. I worked at the Center of Excellence for one year. These two doctors, Dr Jenny Goto and Dr Katie Zinn utilize Dr D’Adamo’s program - OPUS After our weekly discussions I am able to give these patients the IV support I feel our program gets to the root of the gut inflammation

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 23-25,2019 MEMORY - A SHAME TO WASTE

Learning is a continuous way to increase our capacity to increase our memory Additionally, as we age, memory impairment is thought to be a consequence of decline in neuronal function and increase in neurodegeneration, with oxidative stress as a major factor in brain aging and memory impairment. More than one million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed annually with a chronic brain disease or disorder, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most prevalent cause of adult-onset brain disorders.8 Research estimates that in the U.S., 35.8% of those 85 or older have moderate or severe memory impairment, and individuals 85 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. In 2016, There are many ways to increase our memory- there are recall exercises, there are botanicals as Hu[perzine and Vinca alkaloids , and there are nutraceuticals There are medications which have not to date shown to be effective

There is SYNAPSIN - which is a patent pending powder with ginsenoside Rg3 and nicotinamide. It was designed to support neurological health as well as cognitive health. I am utilizing this now in my practiced with tremendous results. It must be prescribed by a medical doctor.

There are many reasons to use Synapsin. It supports healthy mitochondrial function for all cells, especially the brain. It supports NAD production in the central and peripheral nervous system.

For those that are interested, Rg3 is one of several ginsenosides found int he plant genus of botanicals called Panax Rg3 is extracted from genus Panax to support neuroprotection

Until tomorrow…