Reproductive Failures

Another awesome article from my ND. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good afternoon to all my faithful readers. Today I want to touch on the importance of health and nutrition in the planning of families. Like so many areas of our lives, we tend to just take things as they come. If our health practices are good, this poses no real problem. If we don't consider the impact of our nutrition on our children, the result can be heartbreaking. The choices we make ultimately affect our children and our future. Deuteronomy 30:19 states it very well. "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

Since I encourage people to eat food as close to it's natural form as possible, this would mean eating live foods. I know this isn't what was being put forth in the scripture passage, but it does apply nicely in the case of food choices.

Reproductive failures
When I see the increasing number of young couples wanting to have children, yet failing to conceive or carry children to term, I have to remember the works of Dr Francis Pottenger. Dr Pottenger did some awesome experiments with cats. He took three sets of genetically equal cats. He put them in groups. One group was fed a strictly raw diet. The second group was fed a diet of both raw and cooked foods. The third group was fed a diet of only cooked foods. By the third generation, the first and second groups were reproducing well. The third group had become sterile.

It’s presumptuous of us to think that what we eat, affects only us. As generations go on, degenerative changes are going on behind the scene. Diseases never known or seen before are coming into existence. With this in mind, it’s hard to swallow the idea of genetic shifts as explained in the theory of evolution, as being capable of improving on creation. From what I’ve witnessed, a gradual deterioration of the species sets in with the levels of pollution and chemical alteration found in our foods.

Dr Weston Price observed and documented these same degenerative changes attributed to the refining of grains in our diet. His book, “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration,” was out of print for years until resurrected by the International Foundation for Nutrition and Health. This book is a must read for anyone truly serious about having a solid education in nutrition.

The most profound thing a young man and woman can do is to take a serious look at the foods they’re consuming and take charge over their diet long before getting married and planning a family.

A farmer prepares his soil long before he ever puts seed in the ground. It’s far too difficult to work the soil once the seed’s in the ground.

Prenatal nutrition should be initiated at least a year before pregnancy, (and not just for the woman). The seed is every bit as important as the soil it’s planted in.

Placental transfer to the fetus involves amplification of whatever nutrients are in the mother. Cord blood from the placenta contains 1.7 times higher mercury levels than maternal blood. What does this mean? If Mom is just below detection of mercury induced disease, the baby will be above that level.

Breast milk has been reported to be so high in PCB’s, the FDA would outlaw it if tested. The breast not only concentrates nutrition, but like the placenta, concentrates toxins also.

If it takes three generations to make cats sterile, it can take a while with sound nutrition to restore health to a family. The creation of a healthy family is a group effort. If you are contemplating beginning a family in the future, consider getting proactive now with detoxifying your system and employing the use of healthy nutrition for yourself and your spouse. Healthy babies are fun babies!

Dr John A. Briggs N.D.
20 N.E. Lillich St.
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
503-728-4732

Are You Motivated by Fear?

Today I am thrilled to add a post by Dr. Briggs. His insight is accurate and necessary at the time when media and the news fill our hearts with fear about pretty much everything: economy, health, government, taxes, etc. You name it, they are the forefront shouting about it. But we, especially those of us who believe in God, should not be guided by the emotion of fear—after all, we should know Who is in control…

Enjoy the article.
__________________________________________________________
Today I had a patient who related how one of their associates was seriously considering not flying due to the flu scare. It's amazing how the media has hyped the flu to the point that people put their lives on hold. Few take the time to figure the fact that the mortality rate for this influenza outbreak is extremely small. When considering the large number of malnourished in this country and those taking immunosuppressive drugs, it's amazing there aren't more deaths.

If you take care of your health, how much more resistant you will be to these diseases. What have we to fear, but fear itself. One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. As you see, fear involves bondage. When we live in fear, we live under the bondage of those who instill fear in our lives.
________________________________________
What motivates you?

Truly successful people are motivated by burning desires that cannot be extinguished by someone else's imposed fears. Isn’t it amazing how our media pedals fear into our society? When moved by fear, success is rare because you're focused on failure. What you meditate on, you ultimately will experience.

The use of scares like swine flu and human papiloma virus, serve to influence a population into blindly accepting vaccines which are unproven, untested, and usually, unsafe. The major fear annually stirred up over the flu stems from the millions that died in the flu pandemic of 1918. Scientists recently found it wasn’t the flu, but secondary streptococcal infections that occurred concurrent with the flu, that caused the exceptionally high mortality rates. Today, we are well able to deal with these secondary infections. This makes the flu, a little more than a nuisance.

The drug Tamiflu which people have been clamoring for, has been banned for children in Japan, and has been reported to have reactions every bit as severe as the very disease it’s being given to prevent. Why is it that Japan has more common sense than we do here in America?

In America, the majority of medicine is directed at symptom control. Rarely is a patient put on medication with the intent of eventually getting that patient free of the drug. This is the tragedy of our failing medical model. Instead of restoring the patient’s health by finding the cause of disease and correcting it, we find ourselves taking drugs to mask symptoms in hopes the problem will eventually go away.

This head in the sand approach adds up to a mountain of financial expense and continued damage to our liver and kidneys. Doesn’t this sound similar to our nation’s financial disease? We don’t want to deal with being more disciplined in our spending, we just want to keep spending.

When I address the primary foundation of disease to my patients, (their diet), I find them to be in one of two classes. Either they’re serious about getting and staying well and are quick to comply, or they just want a pill to make it all go away so they can continue to eat the very foods that have been making them sick.

The most common cause of chronic disease in America today is failure of the digestive system, causing an overloaded liver. This promotes malnutrition and all the diseases that accompany it. Americans are among the most severely malnourished, over-fed people on the face of our planet. The person carrying an additional 50, 100, or 200 pounds is malnourished and over-fed. The best approach to health for such a person is to correct their diet and heal their liver.

When more people die from swine flu vaccine than from swine flu itself, it should be in all the papers. Why isn't it? Wake up America! No one will care for your health better than you will. When it comes down to ethics or making billions on drugs that mask your symptoms, drug companies are concerned with only one thing; Profit!
________________________________________
Dr John A. Briggs N.D.
20 N.E. Lillich St.
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
503-728-4732

Phosphorous, The mineral too often ignored!

Our society tends to be very calcium aware while failing to recognize the importance of the mineral phosphorous. Phosphorous is the second most abundant mineral in the body, and is responsible for maintaining proper levels of calcium in the tissues. The ratio between calcium and phosphorous must be within a 10 to 4 range to maintain the calcium concentration in bones and tissues at proper levels. When this balance is disturbed, calcium leaves the bones and will tend to deposit in areas around the body, creating many problems.

When calcium precipitates out in the eyes, it will cause cataracts. In the teeth, it's called tartar. In the joints, it’s arthritis. In the kidneys, it's kidney stones.

Phosphorous is important in the synthesis of lecithin and cerebrin, both of which are needed by the brain. The approximate fifteen million brain cells need a generous supply of phosphorous. Phosphorized fats constitute the solid matter of brain tissue.

Grey and white matter of nerve and brain tissues are comprised of 16-18% phosphorous. This is required for higher levels of brain function.

Phosphorous is essential for synthesis of both RNA and DNA. Damage in these areas can allow for genetic damage resulting in various diseases.

Phosphorus is important for the construction of healthy bone and teeth. Phosphorous stimulates hair growth and helps maintain the healthy pH of blood. Phosphorus maintains bone density and hard tooth enamel.

A deficiency of phosphorous can create arthritis, loss of memory, failing eyesight (specifically in the left eye), cataracts, neuralgia, rheumatism, tooth decay, bleeding gums, and fatigue.

Phosphorous is the element your body uses to construct the high-energy molecule known as (ATP) adenosine tri-phosphate. Phosphorus is required for energy production and can be viewed as the accelerator of the body while potassium can be viewed as the brakes.

A person who cannot relax and slow down may be deficient in potassium. When the person cannot get off the couch, they may be deficient in phosphorus.

Phosphorus is destroyed by excess sugar in the blood-stream. Just sucking on a piece of candy will permit sugar to enter the bloodstream by way of the salivary glands allowing phosphorus in the blood-stream to be destroyed resulting in tooth decay and bone degeneration.

When phosphorous levels are low and calcium has deposited into tissues, patients will many times complain of damp environments causing increased pain of arthritis. Many times these people find relief in a more arid climate. Avoid trashing your phosphorous levels by cutting excessive sugars in your diet. Sodas aren’t worth a lifetime of pain and misery.
________________________________________
Dr John A. Briggs N.D.
20 N.E. Lillich St.
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
503-728-4732

Doc’s Corner: Gluten Sensitivity

A while back I posted about going gluten-free (see here and here), while trying to resolve some of my health crisis. After being tested I found out that I WAS NOT gluten intolerant. However, what I did find out from my personal observation of my body was that any time I have bread (home-made, although with store-bought organic flour) I have excess of mucus build up, which I find very unpleasant and aggravating. I did not notice it in the past, until I started to clean up my diet and became more in-tune with my body. So, ever since going gluten-free for two months, and actually breaking that food-dependency, I restrict my gluten intake, and only strive to get to a point where, unless I grind my own flour, I will not eat gluten-products. Now, if I observe that I have the same reaction to any other gluten-containing foods, even whole and unprocessed, I will have no problem dropping it, since I was able to wean my body off it already.

This week Dr. Brigg’s newsletter covered Gluten sensitivity, and I thought it would be a great one to share on my blog.

Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 8, 2009

Good afternoon. As I pondered what to write today, I was reminded of a recent patient who continued to suffer multiple symptoms with extreme fatigue, weight gain, and sky high cortisol levels. Upon further investigation we found that she was very gluten intolerant. Treatment had to be directed to adrenal and intestinal repair with strict avoidance to gluten containing foods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gluten Sensitivity

Last week we looked at toxins and their influence on health. Today I want to touch on the condition of gluten intolerance. The big question is, why does an otherwise healthy person develop intolerance to gluten, which is found in wheat, oats, rye, spelt, and many other grains?

Part of the answer can lie in the fact that we're exposed to an abundance of solvents in our environment. Xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, benzene, and other aromatic hydrocarbons are plentiful in food, air, and water sources. These elements break down the fats in our cells. When this happens, cell walls become very porous, allowing various elements to pass boundaries they shouldn’t.

In the intestines, this can allow gluten directly into the blood stream. Since undigested gluten is considered a foreign element in the blood, the body creates antibodies against it. This creates an allergic reaction. This allergic reaction leads to swollen and damaged surface of the intestines, blocking absorption of essential nutrition.

When undigested foods are allowed into the blood stream, the body begins to create antibodies to that particular food. This is what can give rise to the anti-gliadin antibodies seen in a gluten sensitive individual.

When we look at some of the solvents used in preservatives, flavor enhancers, and colorings, it's easy to see why, over a period of time a person may develop a sensitivity to otherwise healthy foods. Many systemic problems can be due to gluten intolerance. Things like headaches, psoriasis, colitis, inappropriate weight gain or loss, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, arthritis, and chronic allergies can be directly linked to gluten allergy.
The use of herbicides and pesticides in growing wheat, combined with the use of genetically modified seeds can predispose consumers, who rely heavily on wheat products, to suffer this problem.

A term for gluten intolerance is Celiac disease. In this condition, the intestinal wall becomes swollen and there is a loss of the micro-villa that allow absorption of nutrition. Healing the intestines requires the complete avoidance of gluten in all forms.

When it comes to grains, the only safe ones to consider are rice, corn, amaranth, buckwheat, and millet. Avoid all wheat including; einkorn, emmer, spelt, kamut, wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, cracked wheat, hydrolyzed wheat protein, barley, rye, and triticale.
Wheat requires zinc to be metabolized, and without adequate nutritional replacement, causes reduction of prostaglandin 3 which is responsible for reducing inflammation. If you suffer lots of inflammation, you may be gluten sensitive. Try living without any of the gluten foods for a while and see if the inflammation reduces.

To treat gluten sensitivity, zinc and essential fatty acids, which are usually missing from most wheat-based foods, are essential. Use of full spectrum B vitamins assist in the repair of the intestinal tissues. Many times, the only way to get absorption of these B vitamins is through vitamin B shots due to this poor absorption. Supplements must be evaluated for wheat content. Most of the supplements I prefer to use for nutrition have some sort of wheat base. This is where I have to modify my approach. All patients are different and need their own specific program. This is where a good "nutritionally trained physician" can make all the difference in the world.

Dr John A. Briggs N.D.
20 N.E. Lillich St.
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
503-728-4732
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time: EAT HEALTHY!!! BE HAPPY!!!

LIVING CLEAN IN A TOXIC WORLD

Dear Readers, it is such a pleasure for me to start two new Categories on my blog.

I believe that we are personally responsible for our health—we are our best ADVOCATE! However, those of us who have experienced health issues in the past and are now taking steps to reversing them, or just maintaining our physical bodies to the best of our abilities—we need help doing that. I find it SO important to find the right people to help us on our journey with this task. I also find it important that people that help us have same beliefs and values as we do, at least as much as possible.

When we lead a healthy life-style we don’t need too much help from outside, but people that should be on your list should include: a Nutritionist, Chiropractor, Naturopath, Dentist :), a LOCAL Farmer, an owner/manager of a LOCAL health food store or a Co-Op and other helpful people. I have my DREAM TEAM lined up :) I know that the care/help I get from these specialists is worth every penny I spent on them. Unlike Allopathic medicine that concentrates on treating symptoms rather than problems, these folks will help you dig to the root of the problem (take it literally with dentists : )), take care of it once and for all, and teach you how to take better care of yourself to avoid same issues in the future. Their goal is to get you better not to make you a life-long patient.

From now on I will try to feature an interview or an article from my Dream Team members. I think it is very important that we hear their point of view to complement the nutritional changes that we strive to make.

This week I will start with featuring our wonderful Naturopath—Dr. John Briggs. Dr. Briggs is currently working with our family to help us work out a couple of problems—leftovers from our former life : ) (and I don’t mean that we reincarnated : ) ). I heard about him from our Farmer (that is why networking is SO important). Our farmer, whom I hope to feature on here in the future, was helped by Dr. Briggs when “traditional” medicine told him that his condition could never improve and had given him no hope.

First time I met Dr. Briggs was over the phone. He was kind enough to grant me time to interview him (which I strongly encourage all people to do before making a commitment to be treated by ANYONE; I actually refuse to be treated by person that refuse to be interviewed). I presented him with our issues and had asked how he thought he could help us. Without going into details you might have guessed that he “passed” and we hired him as our Naturopath (I prefer to look at things this way, rather than thinking that I became someone’s patient). Dr. Briggs does not abide by the same dietary guidelines as we do, however his diet is pretty clean compared to majority of the people living around us. He takes care of himself—he radiates with health and happiness. And, the good thing is, he never tried to dissuade us from our dietary guidelines. We are blessed to know that Dr. Briggs also shares same spiritual convictions as we do, which helps our treatment plan immensely.

I found out that every week Dr. Briggs sends out a Newsletter, so I made sure to sign up for it. I wanted to know what he had to say. I have enjoyed his insight for several months now. I find his advice to be sound, purposeful and educated—no quackery here! I was disappointed that he does not have a blog, and after unsuccessfully trying to convince him to start one, I asked for his permission to post his Newsletters on my blog, to share it with people from around the world. He was gracious to grant me his permission.

So, without further due, let me introduce two new categories: My Dream Team and Doc’s Corner.

Enjoy Dr. Brigg’s insightful advise. If you are in need of a great Naturopath, wherever you are located, Dr. Briggs offers in-person and over-the-phone consultations.

DISCLOSURE: I do not get any “kickbacks” or financial incentives for featuring Dr. Brigg’s material on my blog. Rest assured that the only gain that I am looking for is to help you improve your life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 2, 2009

We are patiently awaiting spring here in the Northwest. The ground is still too wet to till for crops and weather is expected to drop into the 30's again next week. Still, spring cleaning is in the air. I cleaned my office the other day and realize how we need to seriously consider doing spring cleaning for our bodies following a sluggish winter with heavy foods and lack of activity. This is when I love to get started with good detox programs so we can be ready for the activities of summer.

LIVING CLEAN IN A TOXIC WORLD

We can live healthy even in the presence of an abundance of environmental toxins. Besides having most vital nutritional elements stripped from our food, damaging elements like preservatives, flavor enhancers (MSG, Hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, and ect.), hydrogenated oils, sugar substitutes, and pesticides have been added.

Many commercial water supplies contain heavy metals and drug residues. Our air contains by-products of factories, internal combustion engines, and cigarette smoke. To top it all off, pharmaceutical and recreational drugs add to this milieu. When digestion is incomplete food begins to putrefy and rot in the system creating autointoxication. This allows highly toxic elements to accumulate in the body.

The first step in living clean involves reading labels. Avoid Dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, and elements with aluminum in them. This includes deodorants and antiperspirants. Drink only pure spring water whenever possible. Clean water, free of chlorine and fluoride, is essential to cleansing the body.

Hardwood flooring can reduce overall toxins from carpeting. The strong smell of new carpets is primarily due to the use of formaldehyde in the manufacturing process. This same element is responsible for the ‘new car’ smell. Hardwood flooring reduces growth of dust mites and potential of mold growth. Off gassing of formaldehyde from carpets and furniture can take years. This chemical is used in preserving corpses. Memories of the cadaver lab in school aren’t my fondest. Since formaldehyde is inhaled in a gaseous form, it goes right into the blood stream, damaging metabolic systems throughout the body.

The inside of your home can be far more toxic than outside. The better the airflow throughout your house the better. Allow windows to be open as often as possible.

Toxin exposure through skin can be far more deadly than many think. We spray bugs with a mask over our face but neglect the skin of our arms and hands. In embryonic development, the tissue that gives rise to skin is the same tissue that creates the nerves. Whatever affects the skin ultimately affects the nervous system. Most bug sprays contain neurotoxins. These are the active components that kill the pests. They will ultimately damage your nervous system if exposed.

Consult organic gardening sources for safer alternatives. Focus on eating foods that support the detoxifying properties of your body. Foods in the cruciferous family like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and especially Spanish black radish help drive the mechanism of detoxification in the liver.

The detoxification program I love to use involves four specific products which support cleansing of the liver, kidneys, spleen, bowel, blood, and lymph. The program involves dedicating three weeks of dietary discipline, and the payoff is over the top. From now through May 15th we are offering a 10% reduction in the cost of the complete detoxification kit. To get started, call Cheryle of Julie and we will get you going.

Dr John A. Briggs N.D.
20 N.E. Lillich St.
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
503-728-4732
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time: EAT HEALTHY!!! BE HAPPY!!!