Attention Deficit Disorder: A Homeopathic Approach

By Beth Landau-Halpern ~

It is abundantly obvious that attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) are a common diagnosis among today’s children. This disorder is characterized by a short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and problems with forethought, judgment and impulse control. According to leading expert Dr. Amen, an untreated child is negatively impacted in all areas of his/her life.  They are more likely to be underachievers, have conflict in close relationships, and abuse drugs.

Statistics show that as many as one in ten boys are on medication for behaviors that fall under the category of ADHD. Some children do well on prescribed medications, yet many others find they experience side effects such as difficulty sleeping, suppressed appetite, diminished growth, depression, dizziness, nausea, and heart palpitations. Some parents are seeking alternative approaches to treating their child and evidence supports homeopathy as part of that alternative to drugs.

Homeopathy is a centuries-old holistic form of medicine. It seeks to heal the whole person as an individual with different ways of expressing inattentive, impulsive, hyperactive behaviours, resulting in a different, individualized homeopathic prescription. A program covers physical, mental, or emotional symptoms that may not part of the standard ADHD diagnosis. Diet is an important aspect of the healing process and is supported through supplementation with essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, naturally occurring neurotransmitters, and amino acids; and psychological and behavioral support for improving the ADHD child’s chances of flourishing.  Together, these integrated approaches can make enormous improvements in behavior, without any of the side effects of pharmaceutical medications.

Homeopathic medicines are safe, inexpensive, non-toxic, gentle, and free of adverse side effects. After taking a homeopathic remedy, expect to see a gentle but definite move towards improvement. Coupled with the other natural medicines, children with ADHD can improve dramatically, without reliance on pharmaceutical medications. I have seen children improve their performance in school, start to engage in healthy activities in a focused and confident manner, and get along better with their family and friends. I have seen fractured, frustrated families find peace and an easier way of functioning together, thanks to the wonderful impact of a natural approach to ADHD.  A balanced, calm child means a happy, healthy family!

photo by Carmela Nava

               About the Author

Beth Landau-Halpern is a Toronto-based homeopath with a special interest in treating children with ADHD and their families. Beth trained as a homeopath in London UK, after a first career as a dancer. She loves the deep connection she feels with the clients she works with and knows that listening well is a necessary step to healing.  Beth has worked as a homeopath for 12 years.  For more information, visit www.blh-homeopath.com and www.adhdhomeopath.com, and Beth’s Holistic United profile.

Rest and Rejuvenate: 9 Tips For The Winter Season

“When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy.”  Chinese Adage

By Erin Telford ~

Chinese medicine is all about living with the rhythms of nature.  We can follow the seasons and live our lives accordingly for maximum health.  We encounter problems when we go against these earthly cycles.  The majority of the animal kingdom hibernates during wintertime.  It is a period of restoration, quiet and inactivity in preparation for the giant burst that is spring.  What do humans do?  Race around frantically, travelling, attending holiday parties, amp up the workouts to avoid holiday weight gain, stress about the small stuff, and go to bed late.

These 9 Tips to Encourage Harmony and Balance will support you in the winter goal to replenish our reserves and conserve our Qi:

Eat warm, cooked foods. Just say no to salads and other raw foods throughout winter.  It’s cold outside and your diet should reflect this to stay in harmony with the season.  The foods to eat now are ones that naturally grow during this time of year or have been harvested and dried during autumn such as root vegetables, squashes, wintergreens, mushrooms, beans and lentils.  Your body wants and needs to stay WARM.  Cooking methods should reflect this – bake, roast, braise, stew and slow cook to introduce more heat into your meals.  Reach for broths and stews, add more ginger and cinnamon to your meals.  As always, organic, local and unprocessed products are most nutritious.

Here are some ideas of foods to add to your winter meals: beef, black beans, black mushrooms, blackberry, black sesame seeds and oil, black soybeans, blueberry, bone marrow, cabbages, celery, chard, chestnuts, cranberry, dark leafy greens, duck, eggs, ginger, goose, kale, kidney beans, kohlrabi, lamb, leeks, lotus seed, miso, mulberry, mutton, ocean perch, parsley, pine nuts, raspberry, rutabaga, seaweed, shrimp, soy sauce, string beans, turnips, walnuts, wood ear mushrooms.

Get extra sleep. This is such an active, social season for most people that we tend to get less sleep during a time when we need it the most.  The Tao suggests that we go to bed with the moon and rise with the sun.  While it is unrealistic for us to crawl into bed at 5pm, I’m sure many of us would like to!  Where possible, try to add an extra hour to your sleep routine.  Cut out the extra hour of TV or internet surfing to add rest to your schedule.  We really notice how much sleep we actually need when we finally get that much needed good night’s rest.  Getting up earlier also allows us the chance to absorb more of the sun’s warming energy and vitamin D!

Support your adrenal system. The stress of the holiday season can be exhausting.  Stress triggers our sympathetic nervous system or our “fight or flight” response.  These days this reaction is elicited by an overwhelming line at Whole Foods rather than the need to outrun a tiger.  Our body’s adrenal system (the kidneys) still interprets our stress in the same way, no matter what the cause.  Adrenal overload leads to adrenal exhaustion and a very burnt out person.  You can combat this by cutting down on coffee, sugar and other stimulants. Research shows deep breathing is an effective way to calm the nervous system.

Wash your hands. This is the number one way to prevent spread of viruses and bacteria.  Wash your hands as soon as you get home, get to work, get to school and before and after EVERYTHING.  Anti-bacterial hand soaps and sanitizers reduce your skin’s ability to kill germs on its own.  They are a last resort if you are unable to wash your hands but I do advise against them.

Reduce stress  Find a method to add peace and calm into your life on a daily basis. The effects of stress have been documented. There are lots of easy ways to keep stress in check, but it takes daily action.

Slow down. This is not the season to strive and push through. Each season in Chinese medicine corresponds to a different organ system.  Winter is the time of the Kidneys and the Bladder.  The qualities of those organ systems are also the qualities of winter – rest, reflection, conservation and storage.  The Kidneys are considered the source of all the energy in the body.  They also store all of our “reserve” energy.  The amount of reserve energy that we come into this world with could be compared to the strength of our genetic code.  It has a strong effect on our physical and mental development as well as our aging process.  We should naturally reduce our activity levels to conserve our energy at this time so as not to deplete our reserves.

Change Your Workout. By reducing the intensity of your workouts, you will boost energy and not deplete it.  This is a time of year for nurturing and rebuilding the stores of the body in anticipation of bursting back to life in the spring.  Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong are perfect winter appropriate forms of activity.

Know your cold! There are two different types of colds-a ‘hot cold’ and a ‘cold cold’.  Hot colds are characterized by a burning, painful sore throat, more copious sticky yellow phlegm and a possible fever and body aches.  A cold type cold will present as a scratchy throat and a runny nose with clear phlegm.  Each type requires different care as far as herbal remedies and dietary therapy.

At the first sign of a cold or flu, rest and see your acupuncturist. Try not to “push through” your illness or use antibiotics as a quick fix.  Illness is our body’s way of telling us to slow down and take care of ourselves.  Acupuncture and herbs can stop a cold in its tracks, ease your symptoms and lessen the duration of an existing illness.  If you do decide to take antibiotics, acupuncture and herbs can work alongside Western treatments to compliment them.

Photo by Olga Oslina

               About the Author

Erin Telford is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a private practice in Manhattan.   She believes in the powerful healing dynamic between patient and practitioner and the body’s innate ability to move towards balance. She uses Chinese Medicine to harmonize the body, mind and spirit. For more information, visit Erin’s site at http://www.radiantheartacupuncture.com/ or her Holistic United profile.

Looking for a holistic provider? Search our directory to find a holistic practitioner in your area.  And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.

Overindulged? Learn to Shed Post-Holiday Weight

by Monica D. Riley ~

Who doesn’t indulge a little over the holiday season? From office functions and parties to festive dinners, it’s difficult to resist temptation. It’s been said most people gain at least 5 pounds during the month of December. For those of you who have difficulty shedding unwanted layers, you’ll want to learn how to support metabolic function and clear up some misconceptions about your metabolism.

Here are 4 Metabolism Myths to steer you on a permanent path to healthy weight loss:

Metabolism is a “thing”: The amount of energy – that is, calories from food – that your body requires to function is called your basal metabolic rate.  So, even when you’re sitting in a chair doing nothing, your body is hard at work breathing, pumping blood, growing new cells and regulating hormones.

Some people are just born with “high” metabolisms: Your basal metabolic rate is based on your height, weight, sex and age.  However, what can the variable differences that affect metabolism is activity level and amount of muscle.  According to Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietician and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association,  “Activity has a huge impact.  It causes the body to burn calories for energy and the more you do, the more calories your burn.”

Dieting increases metabolism: The positive effects you can have on metabolism, through diet, come through digestion.  “When you eat foods that are whole, and not processed, your body burns more calories simply digesting it,” Blatner says.  Any diet, where your body feels like it is in starvation mode, will actually slow down your metabolism.

Metabolism slows down as you age:  Age does affect your basal metabolic rate, but this is because as you age you gradually lose muscle mass.  The less muscle mass you have, the fewer calories your body will burn at rest.  Resistance training, two to three times a week, can help you stay lean.

Nature has provided support to increase metabolic function. These herbs, along with a healthy wellness plan, may speed up your metabolism and allow you to burn calories and fat faster! Keep your metabolism burning bright with these 12 Special Nutrients and Herbs:

Green Tea:  Green tea has a thermogenic effect, raising metabolism by increasing body temperature and inducing the body to release norepinephrine.  This is a chemical that speeds up calorie burning.

Kelp:  Kelp, as well as other seaweeds, raise metabolism in two ways:  they affect the thyroid gland and they increase basal metabolic rate.  Iodine, an important component of kelp, has a direct effect on basal metabolic rate.

Cinnamon:  Cinnamon is an herb that has many properties, and is included in herbs to increase metabolism. When you ingest cinnamon your body heats up, burning more calories than normal for three to four hours.

Cayenne Pepper:  Hot peppers are foods that speed up your metabolism, and adding cayenne pepper to your meals will speed up your metabolism for hours after you eat.

Turmeric: Found in turmeric, Curcumin is used to reduce inflammation and is being toted for having anti-cancer properties.

Ginger: Research has shown ginger to have the ability to ease arthritic pain.  It’s also commonly used to settle an upset stomach.

Saffron: Although not in your toolbox, Saffron has been found to reduce PMS symptoms by 50%.

Vinegar: The acid found in vinegar (acetic acid) has been shown to support the breakdown of fat and reduces its accumulation.

Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach; add vinegar to salads or other foods.

Spirulina: Take this nutrient rich food before each meal and it will help to decrease your appetite. Its nutrient content will nourish your thyroid and provide protein to vegans.

Holy Basil: This herb proves to be a natural painkiller, with strong detoxifying, antioxident and antibacterial properties. It is an adaptogen that helps reduce cortisol and blood sugar levels.

Hawthorne:  One of the herbs to increase metabolism is Hawthorne. This herbal ingredient stimulates your thyroid gland, which has a big responsibility in controlling your metabolism. You will also feel more energy, and will eliminate water retention.

Eat citrus: The University of Western Ontario found that a flavonoid in citrus fruits called naringenin causes the liver to burn excess fat.  It has also helped improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

*Be aware, specific drugs can be affected by eating grapefruit. Check with your doctor if you are on any medications and would like to enjoy grapefruit.

At the end of the day there is no escaping it. We need to be more active, so here are 4 Ways to Sneak In Activity.  If activity is the key to boosting your metabolism, you can fit it in anywhere!

Inconvenience yourself:  Skip the conveniences like car washes, the drive-thru and valet parking and opt for a do-it-yourself-attitude.

Pack flats:  Keep a pair of flats or sneakers in your car or desk and get walking!

Walk and talk:  The next time you meet with your boss or catch up with a friend, why not suggest a walk together instead of a calorie laden lunch?

Small bursts of exercise: In addition to regular exercise, small bursts of exercise are easy to incorporate and the extra calories burned add up – on average of 300 more calories burned each day.  The extra burst will provided you with more energy and reduces stress built up through the day.

• Take the stairs
• Mow the lawn and rake the leaves
• Dance
• Go walk your dog
• Exercise between commercials
• Complete a set of wall push ups
•  10-20 squats before leaving the bathroom

Andropause: Male Menopause

~ by Lisa Weeks

The “change of life” not only applies to women; men go through their own version of menopause called “andropause”.

Now you may not see men fanning themselves and turning red during a hot flash, but this change of life does affect their stamina, drive and overall vitality.

Andropause typically occurs in men between 40 and 50 years of age, when testosterone levels decline to levels that result in fatigue, depression, lack of vitality, increased irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, hair loss, a decreased sex drive, night sweats, loss of muscle mass and/or problems in achieving or maintaining an erection. Testosterone levels can even start to decline in men at the age of 30 and drop continually over time. This occurs gradually so effects may not be as noticeable as in women, whose hormone levels drop more rapidly.

Testosterone is an elixir of life that helps to make men feel strong, young, and virile. It maintains bone integrity; preventing against osteoporosis and preserving muscle mass. Testosterone protects the heart and prevents cardiovascular disease. Obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, some medications, a poor diet and stress can all interfere with the action of testosterone.  If you are overweight, your body can actually convert testosterone to estrogen! Not only does this make testosterone levels drop; when estrogen levels get really high, men may start to develop breasts (called gynecomastia).

What can you do to enhance testosterone levels?

Lose excess weight by following a healthy exercise and eating plan. Fat cells in our body actually produce estrogen, even in males! Don’t limit your fat intake completely, however – choose healthy sources of fat such as avocado, fish oil, and raw extra virgin olive oil instead of animal fats and trans-fats.

Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol. Limit beer as it has been shown to have estrogenic effects, which mask the benefits of testosterone in the body.

Quit smoking and talk to your doctor about any possible side effects of your medications.

Eat organic fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and poultry. This will reduce your exposure to pesticides, antibiotics and hormones which can impair the action of testosterone.

Eat liver-supporting foods. Include eggs, onions, garlic, dark leafy greens, lemons and limes, artichokes and beets to help your body detoxify from harmful types of hormones.

Avoid using plastic food and beverage containers and eating canned foods (their lining is made of plastic) as these contain hormone-disrupting bisphenol A.

Go green with cleaners and body care products to avoid exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals in conventional cleaning products.

Exercise to maintain muscle mass and decrease fat mass so you can optimize testosterone levels.

Eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, rutabaga, and turnip as these help to reduce estrogen levels in males.

Relax and de-stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, reduces the action of testosterone. Meditate, do yoga or deep breathing exercises to take it easy.

Eat zinc-rich foods to maximize testosterone levels. Include cremini mushrooms, spinach, sea vegetables, pumpkin seeds , chickpeas, oysters, crab, lobster, clams, salmon, turkey, and lamb.

Get your fiber in to reduce estrogen levels. Choose steel-cut oats, organic vegetables, brown rice and whole grains to keep you regular.

Your Naturopathic Doctor can determine your testosterone levels by doing a salivary hormone test. This will test for various hormones and will allow them to choose the most appropriate herbs and nutrients to support healthy hormone levels.

With a little help, you will be able to increase stamina, drive and overall vitality!

photo by Kyle May

Lisa Weeks, HBSc., ND, is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Toronto and Markham who unites her extensive scientific research background with Naturopathic therapies and philosophies to offer you a holistic approach to healing. She believes Naturopathic Medicine can benefit the whole family, from infants to seniors and focuses on women’s health, kid’s health, immune system support, pain management, digestive health, skin issues, sleep support, stress relief, energy support and more. For more information, visit her website and her Holistic United Profile 

Looking for a holistic provider? Search our directory to find a holistic practitioner in your area.  And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.

Conventional Vets – Holistic Disguise?

~ by Dr. Kim Bloomer

An article entitled Pet Owners Turning to Acupuncture for Their Furry Friends reminded me of how many veterinarians are offering “alternative” therapies such as acupuncture. In the US, only veterinarians are allowed to perform acupuncture as it is considered a form of  invasive surgery.

As the demand for alternative health drives mainstream medicine to offer alternatives to surgery and medication, it’s an important time to define what holistic healthcare is all about. The term holistic has been abused and misused to the point of being rendered utterly useless in describing REAL health care for us and our animals. Offering a few holistic services does not mean the clinic is run under holistic principles. It is merely conventional care with a little bit of so-called “holistic” care thrown in.

Holistic is defined as identifying with principles of holism in a system of therapeutics, especially one considered outside the mainstream of scientific medicine, as naturopathy or chiropractic, and usually involving nutritional measures.

The definition of naturopathy is 
a system or method of treating disease that employs no surgery or synthetic drugs but uses special diets, herbs, vitamins, and massage to assist the natural healing processes.

The word alternative means there is a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility.

NATUROPATHY encompasses the principles in a holistic health practice. The foundation of animal health and natural healthcare is centred on natural feeding practices. The two leading causes of health problems in our pets can be linked to over vaccination and feeding man-made, processed “pet” foods.

The veterinary care industry is now on a campaign to warn you of feeding your pets a natural diet, in particular dogs and cats, the diet they were designed as carnivores to eat: raw meat and bones. This industry is flooded with misperceptions of whole food diets. Vets are often “educated” on nutrition by pet food industry representatives. Which brings me back to the why of it all? Maybe the individual doctors don’t know the “why” but the industry itself does. More illness equals more income. Once your pet has been set up for disease via vaccines and processed junk food, then you’ll need to take them in for “healthcare” and “medicine”. When they are really sick you can either pay for specialty care OR you can get them to do some form of “alternative” care.

There is a HUGE gap here in understanding what “health” is versus “disease” management. Everyone should be entitled to choose – although if you are a natural health care practitioner the choices are often squashed or taken away because the agenda is not health, but often about money.

As for me and my house, we will promote and build health in my animals following the naturopathic principles laid down through God’s laws of health mandated in nature. If I need something such as acupuncture, I’ll seek it out from a true holistic veterinarian who doesn’t mix in all the allopathic stuff. And if I have a true emergency, then I will seek out conventional care to patch up the situation but aid the body’s innate healing process after the emergency is over and my pet has survived, using a naturopathic approach.

Photo by digital_image_fan

Kim Bloomer, C.V.N.D., N.D. is a certified animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal health. Having worked in veterinary medicine as a veterinary assistant for years, she later went on to earn her doctorate in animal naturopathy from Kingdom College Of Natural Health. Dr. Bloomer is Co-Founder of the American Council of Animal Naturopathy.

Dr. Bloomer’s articles have been featured in various publications such as Animal Wellness Magazine, Natural Horse Magazine, Pet Connection, and Dogs…Naturally! Magazine. She is the co-author of Whole Health for Happy Dogs, co-authored with holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jill Elliot. In addition Dr. Kim has authored the book,Animals Taught Me That – a collection of short stories about the animals who have graced her life and the important life lessons they have taught her.

Dr. Bloomer is the host and creator of Animal Talk Naturally Radio show which she hosts together with her like-minded colleague and friend, Dr. Jeannie Thomason. For more information on Dr. Bloomer, please see her Holistic United profile.

Begin Your Year With Clear Vision

~ by Cheryl Hiebert

Over the past few days I have been mentally reviewing this past year and wondering if I’ve accomplished anything. Have any of my dreams and goals been fulfilled?

As I reflected, it felt as though maybe I hadn’t accomplished much, so I decided to flip back 
to the beginning of my 2011 daytimer. My list of 
accomplishments was many. I could truly be happy with how hard I had worked, but the most important one was not completed. I had promised myself I would have a published book by the
 end of the year and I didn’t achieve it. I had made a deal with myself to set time aside every day to write. I had not followed Al
 Secunda’s 15-second principle of committing to 15 seconds each day to work on a goal.

Take some time and reflect for yourself… get out your old calendars and lists. How do you feel about what you achieved last year?

Now let me ask you this – how often do you sit and think about what you really want in life? What you REALLY want.

I’ve decided to get back to the basics and create a vision board that really works. We can dream and talk about things for years and years, but taking action is key to success. A vision board creates a tangible object for you to collect and focus your intentions on, adding more along the way. I have a huge one in my office that I add to all the time. I have pictures of someone doing Yoga, a runner, a couple in a canoe, a couple cycling together, food, quotes, words and phrases I love, gorgeous vistas and much more.

Here’s how to make a vision board for yourself:

Brainstorm: Make a list of all of the things you would like to see in your life – let it free flow without judgment or limitation. How you would like to look and feel, the activities you would like to consistently partake in your leisure time, vacation spots, your home, car, books, a romantic partner, poems, quotes and phrases that inspire you.

Write it down: Anything and everything that comes to mind should go down on paper as a potential intention.

Start Clipping: Put on some music, go and collect all of your magazines and
 catalogues, and begin to cut out everything related to that list. Don’t stop there – cut out anything that catches your eye; anything that intrigues you and inspires. It might be a sunset, a gorgeous colour, or a big fresh salad. The images don’t have to make sense, but you do want ones that make you happy and satisfy something deep inside of you. You will find ideas that you never thought
 of as you search through your magazines or browse on the web. Don’t limit yourself, this is the time to go outside of your comfort zone and dream BIG BIG BIG. The internet is a great place to find and print out images and quotes you might like to incorporate into the vision board.

Get Creative: Now that you have your huge pile of images, let’s build it. You will need a glue stick and a large piece of cardboard poster stock (2’x3’ for sure.) Arrange all of the images on the table beside the poster paper before you start gluing them on. Have fun and be creative as you mindfully place each item on your board. Now hang your vision board in a place where you can easily see it every day.

Here are 4 Visualization Techniques for you to experiment with:

• Take a few minutes each day and visualize everything you have on the vision board, or stand in front of it and take note of each aspect you have placed upon it. Allow yourself to see, feel, taste, touch and smell it in as much detail as you possibly can.
• Another visualization technique for you to try in the morning before you get out of bed – take a few moments to visualize clearly everything you want in your life; begin your day that way, with that frame of mind. This part is key to manifesting: visualize the goal as if it has already been achieved… notice how it feels to have it now. Take a moment and think of one thing you would like right now. Close your eyes and see it before you… that life you want, a new car… feel the feelings of being in that place… allow yourself to see it, feel it, taste it. The more sensations you can bring alive while you think and dream, the more powerful your manifestation process will be.
• One of the other things I did for myself last year was make up a binder filled with all of my favourite articles, quotes and items that motivate… that set me on fire! That keeps me on track. It is beside my bed and I review it almost every night.
• Try it! Make that commitment to yourself that only you can make. In one year from now you can look back proudly and say: I did it!

Cheryl Hiebert is a Personal Wellness Coach with a mind body spirit approach to wellness. Her goal is to help you feel empowered on your individual path and help you jump out of bed every day loving your life. To help you create a life where you feel happy, full of energy and first on your list. You are worth it!

To see how you can get more support from Cheryl, make sure to visit her website or her Holistic United profile.

Looking for a holistic provider? Search our directory to find a holistic practitioner in your area.  And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

I Don’t Have Food Allergies – Do I?

by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc, ND

Most people have food allergies and are not aware that they do. Why? Because the common conception of food allergy is that your throat closes up and you have to rush to the hospital after eating something you are allergic to. There are many different forms of food allergy, some doctors refer to the less severe reactions as food sensitivities or intolerances rather than allergies. What’s the difference? Your immune system produces five different types of antibodies – IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.

IgE Antibodies

IgE antibodies are responsible for the more severe, potentially life threatening allergic reactions like what we associate with peanut allergies. Most people who have these are aware that they have them because the reaction is so immediate and severe. The type of symptoms people can experience with an IgE mediated food allergy reaction are lips tingling, itching in the mouth, throat tightening or closing, difficulty breathing, hives and full blown anaphylactic reaction, usually fairly immediately after exposure to the food allergen. Medical doctors test for IgE related allergies by a skin prick test. IgE antibodies tend to hang out in the skin, so a skin prick is a viable means of testing of this type of antibody.

IgA Antibodies

Celiac disease is an IgA related food allergy to gluten or gliadin, a protein similar to gluten. Both are proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. Oats are often contaminated with gluten from being processed in the same facilities as gluten containing grains. Common symptoms of celiac disease include: anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bloating, and irritability. Celiac disease can have severe consequences if sufferers are not following a gluten-free diet, so thorough testing for celiac disease is vital. Testing should include blood tests for tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysial antibodies, IgG and IgA antibodies to gluten/gliadin.

IgG Antibodies

IgG antibodies to foods are extremely common. In testing several hundred patients, only three of them haven’t had any IgG antibodies to foods. The rest have had multiple food intolerances, usually 8-12, and were not aware they had any food allergies. However, once all of the food allergies are known and these foods excluded simultaneously, people will usually notice dramatic improvement. The type of symptoms people experience with IgG food allergies are skin rashes like acne, eczema and psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, mucous in the stool, rectal itching, rectal leaking, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sinus congestion or recurring sinusitis, vaginal irritation not related to yeast, environmental allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lupus. IgG antibodies tend to be located in the blood stream, so the best means of detecting IgG food allergies is a simple blood test.

IgM and IgD antibodies are not generally tested for food sensitivities.

Dr. Pamela Frank, ND maintains a busy, diverse naturopathic practice with a special interest in women’s health and fertility. Pamela was twice voted “Best Naturopath in Toronto” by the readers of NOW magazine. She has been the clinic director at Forces of Nature in Toronto ON for the past 12 years and is a member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. For more information on Dr. Pamela Frank, ND please visit her Holistic United Profile or visit http://www.ForcesofNature.ca or http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca

photo by carolynconner

BodyTalk Empowers Children

by Barbara Hames ~

A lot of pressure is put on children these days to perform, compete and achieve. BodyTalk is a healthcare system that provides children of all ages with a way to improve their focus and performance.

The BodyTalk system is a comprehensive system of energy medicine that supports communication throughout the body. Children who have difficulty concentrating have found that BodyTalk helps them to remain on task more easily and happily. Through the inclusion of some basic BodyTalk techniques in their daily routine, either in school or/and at home, they are able to access their highest potential.

‘Tapping your Cortices’ is one of the most valuable and powerful BodyTalk techniques and can be easily incorporated into the morning schedule (eat breakfast, clean teeth, tap your cortices). This balances the communication between the right and left sides of the brain so that there is an efficient interface between a focus on details to a focus on ‘the big picture’. Children have reported feeling calmer, more relaxed, and are able to work with greater attention. They are also able to deal more appropriately with difficult situations. BodyTalk is extremely useful during times of stress (e.g. after injury, at times of sadness or anger) as it gives the child strategies to improve his/her ability to release the emotions that impede recovery.

BodyTalk is a tool that children can easily use, and offers them a way to connect with each other when they practise in pairs. It also improves their ability to connect with themselves through self administration.

For more information, email barbarabodytalk@gmail.com and visit www.bodytalkbrain.com and www.bodytalksystem.com

Looking for a holistic provider? Search our directory to find a holistic practitioner in your area.  And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

HU Likes: The Vitamix Blender

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HU Likes: Jungle Prescription

by Lisa Chilvers ~

I was watching David Suzuki’s Nature of Things and the episode on treating drug addicts with a tea made from plants of the rain forest was something I had to share with Holistic United readers.  The substance Ayahuasca is known as the “vine of the soul” and two Canadian doctors are using it to treat addicts in Vancouver’s west side.

The narrow prescription-based model that western medicine relies on is not working to heal addicts, and the worldwide problems related to drug addiction are worsening.

These two doctors have discovered that counter to what they learned in medical school, the human body’s mechanisms are very much related to emotional states.  The controversy around using Ayahuasca comes from its ingredients – one being an alkaloid called N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT is one of the most psychotropic substances known, yet the formula seems to be working – by unlocking emotional memory it has had life changing effects, and the detox centre success rates have quadrupled that of average clinics in Vancouver.

Photo by MacJewell

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