MARCH 4, 2021 CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate has many nutrients that can positively affect your health. Do you eat dark chocolate ? You should. Chocolate is derived from the cacao tree .

A 85 % cocoa 100 grams bar has 11 grams of fiber, 67 % required iron,. 58 % required magnesium, 89 % required copper, 98 % required manbganese. It has other trace minerals as zinc, and selenium

Remember it does contain sugar so consume with mdioeration ( like anything in life ). The best is that darkl chocolate has organic compounds that are bioloigical active which function as antioxidants. These are polyphenoils, favinoids and catechins.

Studies show that dark chocolate can decerase blood pressure as it produces nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels thus decerasing blood pressure. It raises HDL and protects the bad cholesterol ( LDL) fromn oxidation. By being protective against LDL oxidation it can decerase your risk for heart disease

Start consuming dark choclate in moderayion to help your health

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 3, 2021 AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Autoimmune diseases are more common than you think. There are more than 80 diseases under the umbrella name ‘ autoimmune’ Some of these are common with the layperson as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hashimoto’s thyroiditis and even Celiac disease. There are more women affected than men in many of these diseases. I read this and never knew why. There are some theories

It has been known that testosterone levels protect men. There is a link between testosterone and protection against autoimmune diseases. There are studies that prove that testosterone reduces the number of B cell lymphocyte. Testosterone also reduces protein BAFF which makes the harmful B lymphocytes more viable. So now there are answers to why women have more autoimmune issues.

There was another study that found than women carry a molecular switch called VGLL3 in their skin . This VGLL3 pushes the immune system into overdrive leading to this self attacking. We call this auto immune

This is interesting information. There is much to know about autoimmune diseases. We do not know a lot. I do know from research and studies that two things work. I ask patients with autoimmune diseases to have a gluten free lifestyle. I also ask if the individual would try ;low dose naltrexone ( LDN ). There are many studies on the benefit of LDN and autoimmune diseases.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 2, 2021 ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

This past weekend I saw a mother and her 21 year old daughter. The discussion involved endometriosis in the family and the use of oral contraception. The first approved oral contraceptive was introduced in 1960 — more than 60 years ago. What have we learned about contraception ? There are many published studies on oral contraception. We do know that 46- 60% of women who start them—discontinue them within the first 6 months.

This is good news as it have been shown and studied that oral conception depletes the body of necessary vitamins and supplements,

There are more than 14 different nutrients that are depleted in 10 million women in the USA. Some of these include vitamins B1, B2 B3, B12, C, E and minerals as magnesium and selenium. Both tyrosine and coenzyme Q10 are also depleted. We already that todays foods are depleted of such vitamins/minerals when compared to 70 years ago. This is another story for a different blog

These vitamin/mineral depletion or deficiencies can lead to an increase in diseases as depression, sleep issues, blood clots, diabetes, and even a weakened immune system. Selenium is an important trace mineral involved in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to thyroid hormone T3. Both folic acid and B12 lead to nutritional anemias.

If you are considering oral contraceptives—please discuss with your health care professional.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 1, 2021 11 YEARS

This year marks 11 years since I started to write this blog. It has been a pleasure writing on a variety of subjects. These have raged from herbs, to supplements, to diseases and to life lesson I have learned. This is a new month. It has been a difficult year - This ‘pandemic’ was the reset for many individuals including me. I used this year to ‘perfect’ my simple habits. It is really progress , not perfection. Living a full healthier lifestyle is easier than you think. Here is my list of 7 things that might improve your life.

1. GRATITUDE: It is gratitude not attitude. This is a life lesson from my 12 step program. Having gratitude has changed my perspective. It has made me appreciate the small things in life.

2. MEDITATION/PRAYERS: I have meditated for more than 20 years. This year I changed the type of meditation to improve my flow of life.

3. NATURE: I need Mother nature or what I call, Earth Mother. You should be part of this beautiful world- flowers, plants, animals, insects ( honeybees ) Watching my honeybees drink water from the pond is amazing. You begin to feel alive

4. EXERCISE: Do some exercise. This past year with many closures it has been difficult. You can exercise at home or simply just walk in your neighborhood.

5. SLEEP: We all need to sleep better. This is one lifestyle habit that is life changing. There are many ways to improve your sleep- meditation, yoga, chanting and you can take some herbal supplements

6. DIETARY CHANGES: Stop eating processed foods. This is a no-brainer Stop the sugar in your life. This decreases inflammation in your body

7. FAMILY/FRIENDS: We all need human connection. It is the key to living a vibrant life. Surround yourself with positive individuals

The last and final words of wisdom - LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 27-28, 2021 SHOULD YOU TAKE DHEA

Should you take DHEA ? This is a hormone that is sold over the counter in most vitamin /health food stores. Please do not confuse with the oil , DHA which is needed for good brain function.

DHEA has its place in your medicine cabinet and should be taken after consultation with an integrative practitioner. DHEA can increase stress tolerance, and lowers the cortisol ( stress hormone) in your body. We are all under stress in this world we live in. DHEA has shown to increase the lifespan of animals. DHEA does not affect the hormone aldosterone - so you would not get fluid or water retention.

DHEA may be converted to testosterone. This is why I recommend a consult with a practitioner before starting. It can stimulate hair follicles and oil glands. For this reason it can cause acne.

I have seen some of my patients get irritated, anxious and even have palpitations when taking DHEA. I use the 7 keto DHEA for these patients, as the 7 keto DHEA does not convert to testosterone

I am always asked how much should I take. I always prefer to start with a low dose 10- 25 mg for women and 50 mg to 100 mg for men. For sensitive patients I can start at 2.5 mg to 5 mg. You can check your levels of DHEA by a blood test.

Ask your doctor about DHEA

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 BASIL

When i think of Basil I think of my Poppy’s Italian cooking. Basil ( Ocimum basillicum) is part of the Mont Family. It is native to the tropical climates. It is a fragrant herb. I find it easily grows in my home in Connecticut. I prefer to grow all of my herbs in clay pots There are many types of basil- the most common is sweet basil. You should know there is purple basil, lemon basil and even Thai basil.

When I think of basil I think of the oil form. This is called the Oil of Renewal. I often suggest the use of oil of basil for patients who feel overwhelmed, fatigued, and are stressed. This could be anyone today with the world happenings. I feel it helps patients achieve a better balance in their lives.

It is definitely an energizing herb as well as a herb for rejuvenation .

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 WHAT TEA SHOULD I TAKE

As a medical doctor/ registered herbalist I am more than familiar with different herbs for different illnesses. I never have a tea that can be used for all except maybe gastrointestinal disease. I have consulted with Botanical Bounty to make some generic teas called “ Calmly”, “ Lovely”, “Sickly”, “Streamly” and our most popular “ Gutsy” Check out www.botanicalbounty.org or call 646 723 1823.

We can also make a tea just for you —just tell us your symptoms and fill out the forms on their website.

For example you suffer from arthritis. I can think of 10 different herbs I can use. Examples of herbs used in tea for arthritis include burdock root, vervain, blessed thistle, devil’s claw and nettles.

I had a parent call me about bedwetting for their 7 year old. There can be many causes. I prescribed a tea of chamomille, St John’s wort and added some ginseng. It worked for this child. I tried the same formula on a different child and it didn’t work. This is why I like to make herbal teas for patients that I meet in the practice.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 COVID UPDATE

This last yeaqr has been numb to many including me. WE all have sufered in some way- I witnessed first hand the devastation that corona caused killing friends, family and patientgs. More than 500,000 have died from COV ID in the United States

We are now in a vaccine frenzy? Should I or shouldn’t I? According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ( VAERS) there have been 12,697 injuries following vaccination and 653 deaths. This is what was reported. Is it true? Are there much more that haven’t not been reported ?

Of cases reported between December 14 2020 and February 4, 2021 , 3.69 % were life threatening and the numbner of deathjs were 5.14. Pzifer accounts for 58 % of deaths while Moderna 41 % What is more disturbing was looking at January 2020 to January 2021 where you find that COVID 19 vaccines account fdor a 70 % of annual vaccine deaths

Do you get vaccinated ? Some of us have no choice. Health care professionals will eventually need a vaccine to renew their medical licenses There are many who at at risk with heart disease, diabetes, autoiummune disorders and cancer.

You evenbtually have to enter the real world. There will be a time where a vaccine passport will be mandated. There are many countries who have acquirted grants to work on the future state of affairs. In a recent article ‘ Papers Please’ on Dr Mercola’s website you can read about the increased surveillance with vaccine passports.

The world has changed—don’t be fooled . With all the grief we now must deal with the future of ‘ normal daily life’ with a type of vaccine passport.

Until tomorrow…