(image from www.drchrischatzoglou.com)

Fermented foods and your health

Many of you have heard the saying, ”you are what you eat”.  As true as this statement is, I would like to go a bit further to state, not only are you “what" you eat but you are what you absorb, or what you digest.

Many of us who follow the path of healthy eating, taking in healthy fats, proteins and antioxidant containing fruits and vegetables yet end up feeling puzzled when falling short with digestive issues, immune system shortfalls and food sensitivities to name a few.  “I am eating a healthy diet, isn't that enough?"

I want to encourage you to also pay close attention to the terrain of your digestive tract.  And one way to improve healthy bacteria and enhance the digestibility of foods is with the consumption of fermented foods. Fermented foods are “live” probiotic-rich foods teaming with health benefits.  The fermentation process breaks down nutrients into a more easily digestible form, supplies your digestive tract with living organisms, and preserves nutrients.  In addition, ferments have been shown to function like antioxidants, scavenging “free radicals” from the cells of the body. Once you make it a habit consuming these types of foods can become part of your routine and you will wonder how you ever did without them. 

How can you add fermented foods into your diet and is it safe?

Many alternative grocery stores now stock fermented vegetables in the “raw foods” refrigerated sections in the form of sauerkraut or kimchi.  Other popular fermented beverages include beet kvass, kombucha, water or coconut kefir.  Adding healthy micro-organisms to the terrain of the gut in the form of fermented foods is a healthy and safe alternative for many.  So next time you are shopping at your local health foods store pick up some and try it!  When introducing any new food into the diet, start slowly with one to two tablespoons so as to not cause digestive distress. Next post we will discuss recipes for creating fermented foods at home.

(if you have a compromising health condition or disease or are under current treatment for one consult with your physician before altering your diet) 

Tips To Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

I don’t know about you but this time of year always makes me crave soup!  Not the kind that you get out of a can, but the homemade kind that mothers and grandmothers used to make.  The change of seasons is still part of my bio-rhythms having lived in the North all my life (until moving to the desert two years ago). In the Fall I begin to think of soup and my grandmother, and it conjures up a feeling of warmth, nourishment and of being cared for.  So, to me, it is no coincidence that October is breast cancer awareness month; let me explain.

Eat soup!

Studies show that homemade soup stock (yes, from the bones of healthy animals) provide rich sources of protein, healthy fats, vitamin A and D, abundant minerals, and one very important anti-oxidant, glutathione.  A recent study reported in the October 8^th issue of The American HealthCare Foundation states that, “women who had the highest levels of glutathione were more than 75 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those with the lowest glutathione levels.”   In addition, “glutathione acts directly against certain carcinogenic substances by binding to these toxins and eliminating them through urine or bile.”  Our stores of glutathione can become depleted as stressors increase.

Increase vitamin D!

Research shows that the risk of breast cancer may be reduced, when proper vitamin D levels are maintained.  Other protective nutrients include vitamins A &C, carotenes, coenzyme Q10, CLA (conjugated linoleic), and butyric acid (available in butter from grass-fed cows).  Check with your doctor about maintaining safe ranges of vitamin D.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

A study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment demonstrated that when we eat more anti-oxidant rich fruits and veggies we reduce our risk of developing mutations and an added bonus, we lower our overall oxidative stress levels.

Size Does Matter!

Risks were shown to decrease in women who maintained a healthy body weight.

Express gratitude!

I believe that one of the most powerful actions we can take is to develop an attitude of love and appreciation for ourselves and others.  Those who express gratitude, increase nitric oxide levels in the body and nitric oxide helps to relax blood vessels which may reduce healing time.

Women today are told they can do it all!  We are expected to work full-time, raise our families (sometimes alone), provide healthy meals, run a smooth household, and keep our youthful appearance!  Pressures on young women to be wage earners and mothers can place enormous stress on our bodies at a time when strength is needed to raise happy, balanced and healthy children.  This stress can create fertile ground for chronic disease.

This time of year marks a change of seasons, autumn, a time of year where traditionally (except here in the desert) the leaves begin to fall away, the season before winter; where we look inward and begin to reflect on what we have accomplished.  Take time to nurture yourself and express gratitude for those around you.  Louise Hay, in her book, You Can Heal Your Life notes that breast problems may arise with a refusal to nurture one’s self, putting everyone else first.  The breasts lie within the fourth chakra which is the location of the heart; this is about personal expression and emotion, healing and forgiveness.  The heart suffers when there is a sense of separation or isolation.  This month take time to nurture yourself, spend time in nature and rejuvenate your spirit!  Being loved, accepted and nurtured is how we move forward in life.  Learning to nurture ourselves and putting ourselves first not only models this self-nurturing activity for our children, it will strengthen us to step into our lives with a sense of power, health and wholeness.  And above all else eat good nourishing food, like homemade soup!  All these things will help reduce your incidence of breast cancer, and go a long way towards increasing health.

U.S. Senate passes 

Naturopathic Medicine Week 

resolution

  

On September 10th the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution 

designating October 7 - October 13 as Naturopathic Medicine Week.

  

The resolution recognizes the value of naturopathic medicine in providing  

"safe, effective, and affordable health care..." and encourages 

Americans to learn about the role of naturopathic physicians in 

preventing chronic and debilitating conditions.

  

Passage of this resolution is an historic achievement for naturopathic medicine.  The Congress has now officially recognized the important role naturopathic medicine plays in effectively addressing the nation's health care needs as well as in addressing the increasingly severe shortage of primary care physicians.

 For the latest information about Naturopathic Medicine Week (NMW), 

visit the NMW page on  AANP's website (above logo is clickable link).

The resolution (Sen. Res. 221) is not yet available on Congress' official 

web site but will be soon.  

Watch for exciting updates from NS as 

we approach this historical week!

extra! extra! new- five to thrive magazine

NATUROPATHIC SPECIALISTS    is proud to participate in announcing the release of    Dr. Lise Alschuler and Karolyn Gazella's NEW Five to Thrive Magazine Published by the authors of the Five to Thrive book, this digital magazine is completely multi-media with an audio message, two different video messages, and hyperlinks to websites.  Each issue is packed with information designed to help readers THRIVE! Enjoy your free copy of the first issue of Five to Thrive digital magazine!  Click here to view your free copy          480-990-1111

One more reason to ban artificial sweetener from your diet. Sweeteners like Maltodextrin may encourage E.coli growth in the small intestine, increasing GI woes. http://ow.ly/jKUUy

FREE NS EVENT talk with a doc    presented by       Dr. Melissa Coats    Given all we are subjected to day-to-day it is important to find balance in our lives.                  Are you leading a balanced life?     Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 6:00pm   Stress is pervasive in today's society and we are generally and constantly bombarded with it.   Indeed we believe that stress reduction can prevent chronic disease.    However it is not always easy to find a way to reduce stress in our lives.  Oftentimes people are treated for stress with medication, while some people may require such intervention, there may lie other solutions to treat the impact of stress other than pharmaceutical based management.     At times it is possible to uncover the keys to each person's biochemistry and balance themselves from the inside out.  This can be done by discovering what their nervous system needs - the perfect balance of neurotransmitter via the appropriate nutrition and supplement program.                   Neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to: trouble sleeping anxiety irritability mood swings depression fatigue excess energy poor concentration loss of libido cravings chronic pain arthritis constipation diarrhea headaches/migraines PMS menopausal symptoms frequent illness compulsive of binge eating weight issues and more                 At Naturopathic Specialists we offer neurotransmitter specialty testing.  Once abnormalities  are discovered, the appropriate  nutritional intervention is prescribed and taught as part of  a personalized treatment plan to correct each person's signal imbalances; all in effort to help you feel better faster.

Come learn how neurotransmitter balance may be vital to your health    RSVP to this limited-seating event today  Join us March 13th at 6:00pm      480.990.1111     be a happy, healthy, well informed member of the NS community