Digestion-The Full Story Part 1

Eating.  We've all been doing it for years.  Some of us faster, some slower.  Some messy, some clean, but- internally-we all do it the same.  Most of us don't even think about what happens after we swallow that cookie or bite of steak.  Once it is chewed, it is out of sight and out of mind.  Digestive issues are very common in our office and many people are amazed when they learn that their ailments are actually digestion related-eczema, for example.  In this series of posts, we are going to breakdown digestion to show how everything is connected and why our diet is so important.

Digestion actually starts in the BRAIN!  We have all been there.  Walking along a sidewalk and you get that whiff of a warm, freshly-made pizza.  That smell sends a signal to your brain to start producing enzymes and before you know it, your mouth is watering.  Salivary glands prepare to produce saliva when you begin to salivate after smelling that pizza, that is your body already starting the process of digestion!  Carb digestion actually begins in the mouth.  Amylase is an enzyme created specifically to breakdown carbs and it is secreted about this time.  Without proper amounts of amylase, that bowl of pasta you had for lunch would be sitting like a brick in your stomach.

FUN FACT

Humans do not produce adequate amounts of amylase until about 18 months old. 

This is why many doctors suggest not giving babies grain cereals as parents once did. 

Once your food has mixed properly with your saliva, it travels down the esophagus and into the stomach through the esophageal sphincter.  Many things can go wrong at this point.  Often patients come to us after being on acid blockers for years and are still suffering from acid reflux, indigestion, and other common digestive ailments.  The problem with acid blockers is that unless a doctor does an actual PH test on your stomach and verifies you have an overly acidic stomach, most patients do not have an issue with too much stomach acid, but actually it is an issue of too little.  That is why taking that Prilosec can give you some temporary relief, but in the long run you still suffer. 

Without proper stomach acidity, certain actions are not triggered in the digestive tract.   It is that acidity that triggers the esophageal sphincter to close and prevent reflux after the food enters.  The acidity breaks down fats and amino acids so our bodies can produce appropriate amounts of hormones and absorb nutrients properly.  It is also that acidity that acts as a first line of defense for our immune system.  Many patients are shocked to hear that 75-80% of our immune system lies within our gut/digestive system.

Just as Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.  Look for the next part in our discussion on digestion!

To Be Continued...
~Becca

Measles- What You Can Do

I just want to post something simple on the measles media that is going around right now.  I don't want to push one way or another.  I have my opinions and will keep them to myself but I do want everyone to know there are natural things we can do if you or your loved one happen to get measles.  It is not anything I am panicking about- lets put it that way.

My food for thought- why is there not a ton of focus on all the high fructose corn syrup or food dyes our children are getting that contribute heavily to diabetes, ADD, autism, etc.  Why are we not focusing cardiovascular disease and obesity that is a major killer in our society?  Why is there a lack of focus on poor nutrition and the importance of giving our children and REAL food for preventative reasons?  Our society is so driven on fear and I encourage you to focus on what the body needs and what will boost our immune system versus tearing it down or being scared it won't work properly.  I can guarantee it won't perform or work properly if it doesn't have the right fuel or nutrition. 

Anyways...
Measles.  It is a virus (so is chicken pox, mono, warts, shingles, the flu, etc.).  With that being said here is what I would do or have prepared in case it happens to hit our area or someone you love.  Below are all strong anti-virals.

Immuplex (by Standard Process)
-Preventative- 3 per day for adults, 1 per day for kids
-With the infection- 6 per day for adults and 4 per day for kids

VS-C TCM (by Nature Sunshine)- Specifically made for viruses
-Preventative- 2 per day for adults, 1 for kids (or use the liquid)
-With an infection- 6 per day for adults and 4 for kids

Silver Shield (by Nature Sunshine)
-With an infection- 1 TBS per hour for 12 hours for adults and 1 tsp every hour for 12 hours for kids

Astragalus (by Nature Sunshine)
-Preventative- 3 per day for adults and 2 for kids
-With an infection- 9 per day for adults and 6 per day for kids

There is plenty more to say on this topic and maybe I will another day.  For now I encourage you to not live in fear but be on the proactive side of things. 

For instructions on ordering Nature Sunshine click here.  Standard Process is available in the office and through health care practitioners. 

One Pan Cabbage Casserole

This time of year warm, filling recipes are usually on my family's meal planning each week.  This great 1 pan dish has become a family favorite.  We load it with our favorite veggies that we have on hand, so it tends to be a little different each week, but still tastes great!

Ingredients

1 lb of ground beef

1 onion diced

1 head of cabbage, chopped into small strips

3 large Carrots cut into half circles

1 Handful of Mushrooms diced

2 cups of Broccoli Flourets

1 tablespoon of real butter (can be substituted with coconut oil)

2 cloves of garlic minced

1 14.5oz jar or can of diced tomatoes

Instructions

1. In a large pan, brown the beef and add the garlic and onion.

2. Add all other ingredients. Stir to combine.

3. Simmer until the cabbage is soft-about 25 minutes.

 

Enjoy! 

~Becca

Coconut Oil Uses for Around the Home

Here are some simple uses for coconut oil around the home! 

Sanitizes Mouth Guards- If you use a mouth guard, use coconut oil as a cleaner. Just wipe some on your mouth guard and let it sit during the day. Rinse well before using. Use a thin layer on the guard each morning to help keep it clean.

Moisturize Skin after doing Dishes- Put on hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin

Shower Cleaner- Use a little bit on a damp cloth to clean a scummy shower. Wipe with coconut oil, then spray with white vinegar and wipe dry

Season Cast Iron Pans

Condition wood cutting boards- Rub coconut oil on cutting boards with a cloth

Lubricant on Small Motors/Electronics

Inside Car Cleaner- Use coconut oil to detail the inside of your car (add a little to a soft cloth and polish).

Lubricate Kitchen Scissors when Cutting Sticky Foods- (like dates, marshmallows, etc.).

Gum Remover- Use to remove chewing gum from your shoe, carpet, or other areas where gum has gotten stuck.

Guitar String Lubricant

Ideas and sources: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/hwnl_9-4.htm, http://www.broccolicity.com/2013/08/50-ways-to-use-coconut-oil/, http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/natural-health-tips/using-coconut-oil

Bone Broth Recipe

Here is our first blog post from Becca!  She has great recipes, ideas and an awesome educator.  Look out for her blog posts in the future!

Throughout the year, especially during these cold winter months, I often have a crock pot on my counter making broth.  It is such a nutritious food and has so many uses!  My family likes to drink it by the mug when we are sick, use it for soups the next day, and to freeze it for future use.  It is one of the easiest healthy foods that you can make for family-not to mention one of the cheapest.

 

Bone broth is rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and many trace minerals.  If you are like me and need to avoid dairy, this is a great way to get your daily calcium!  Broth is also great for digestive ailments like ulcers, IBS, and leaky gut because of the great amount of gelatin that it contains. Most women will love hearing that cellulite is simply fat cells that lack collagen and broth contains a lot of collagen!  Below is the recipe that I use frequently.  You can easily get the bones at Whole Foods or any local Farmer's Market.  Just be sure that the bones you use are organic and preferably grassfed or pastured to ensure highest quality of nutrients:

 

2-3 pounds of Soup or Marrow Bones (your animal of choice)

2 TBS of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tsp of Sea Salt

1 head of garlic peeled

5 Quarts of water (or enough to cover about an inch above the bones)

 

Put everything in your crock pot on high.  Once the water boils, drop the setting to low and cook for at least 12 hours.  You can go as long as 24 hours.  The longer you cook it, the more nutritious the stock.  Once it is done, let cool and then strain into a bowl.  We will leave some in the fridge to drink throughout the week and freeze the rest.  Ideally, your broth will take on a gelatinous form after being in the fridge.  Don't worry if you don't achieve this the first time, though, it took me a few tries.

If you have any questions regarding the recipe or how to get bones for the broth email BeccaPotterNRT@gmail.com.
 

Coconut Oil Skin, Body and Hair Care Uses!

Besides the great benefits of eating coconut oil here are some other fun uses! 

Be on the lookout for future posts with other great ideas for the home!

Shaving Lotion- Great for a close shave and a moisturizer at the same time

Facial and Body Scrub - Combine coconut oil with Himalayan crystal salt and apply to face each night for a scrub. Combine coconut oil and sugar for a body scrub. 

Makeup Remover - This is amazing for taking makeup off!  No mascara can withstand a simple swipe of coconut oil.  And healthier, stronger and longer eye lashes are just a bonus!

Homemade Deodorant - You only need a few ingredients in addition to coconut oil.  Mix 6 TBS melted coconut oil, ¼ cup corn starch, ¼ cup baking soda.  Mix together and you are good to go! For a blog post just on this click here. 
 
Dry Feet Treatment - Mix with salt to form a foot scrub

Elbow Rub - Helps manage the dry skin on your elbows

Sunscreen- Coconut oil even offers some protection from the sun, about an SPF 4

After Shave – Don’t want unpleasant bumps and rashes after shaving? Coconut oil soothes sensitive skin and promotes healing.

Deep Moisturizing Hair Conditioner- Cover from roots to tips of hair with coconut oil.  Massage into scalp too.  Put hair in a shower cap for an hour or more. When you wash make sure to put shampoo on your hair before getting it wet.  Scrub shampoo in thoroughly and then rinse with water. 

Defrizzer of Split Ends- Just put a tiny amount on your hands and run them through the frizzy areas.

Dandruff – Massage coconut oil into the scalp to ease symptoms of dandruff, both itching and flaking.

 

 

We have quarts and gallons in stock!  If you are in need of any stop by the office! 

Ideas and sources: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/hwnl_9-4.htm, http://www.broccolicity.com/2013/08/50-ways-to-use-coconut-oil/, http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/natural-health-tips/using-coconut-oil

 

 

Clay Detoxing Baths

NEW at MTCAM!  Clay Detoxing baths!  They are available at the office and we can muscle test them to see which one is best for you.  There are instructions in the box but you add the clay to your bath which helps to pull out toxins while you soak.  It gives you enough for around 10 baths (for adults) and 15+ for children.  They are safe for kids too!  You do 3 per week until the box is gone.  The descriptions are below!

Clear Out
This Clay Bath assists in eliminating in mercury, lead, arsenic, and aluminum. This bath's herbal components also assist in addressing issues of parasites, allergies, anxiety, mood, memory, and more. Clear-Out also relieves muscular and joint pain, increases circulation, enhances digestion, calms the nerves, and brings about general health and overall youthfulness to the body.

Tox-Away
This Clay Bath assists in eliminating Tox-Away is a general detox formula for all metals, including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, tin, and more. This bath does have an herb that assists in liver detoxification.

Environmental
This Clay Bath assists in eliminating generalized toxic exposures in our daily life, including inorganic and organic chemical residues, nicotine, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, industrial pollution, food preservatives, phthalates (plastic residues, artificial fragrances), PCB’s, VOC’s, PFOA’s (non-stick surfaces), radiation exposures (nuclear, medical, food, etc), various carcinogens, and more.