Ki Center Blog

Once again it's allergy season. I can tell because the amount of allergy medicine commercials has increased. The amount of money spent on over the counter medications is almost obscene. And none of these drugs address the cause of your allergies but only mask the symptoms. Wouldn't it be nice if you could actually alleviate the cause instead of just drying up the runny nose? Well, you can.

Dietary fats are important

One of the leading causes of over-sensitization to allergens is the amount of omega 6 fatty acids we consume. These fats are primarily found in vegetable oils. These oils make up a large portion of the ingredients found in processed foods, salad dressings and the like, and as a result are ingested in higher doses than the body can handle. When these omega 6 fats are out of balance, the beneficial omega 3 oils are overwhelmed and can lead to several diseases, hormonal problems, bad hair and skin and seasonal allergies. A significant change in dietary habits can alleviate these problems, make you healthier and help you to live a longer life with less illness.

As difficult as it sounds, reducing, and whenever possible, eliminating processed foods from your diet will be a huge step to correct this yearly ritual. Whenever possible eat whole foods, eat real butter not margarine and use oils such as flax and olive oil in your foods. You may have to take a tablespoon of raw flax oil each day for an extended period of time to balance the omega 6 to omega 3 levels.

Making these simple dietary changes will reduce the amount of omega 6 and linoleic fatty acids intake, and make a profound change in your body's metabolism. In addition, it will reduce the prostaglandin E2 production (which causes allergies) and increase the production of the good stuff helping to prevent these allergies. Getting on the right supplements, using a good quality air purifier and making sure your digestion is on track will be a powerful protocol for allergy health. In the clinic, we use a product from Standard Process called Allerplex with great results during the tough times. At times adding a digestive aid such as Multizyme (also from Standard Process) will greatly reduce a persons inhalant allergy.

Digestion important too

I need to emphasize the role of proper digestion in allergy relief. If you are a chronic antacid user, or suffer from consistent heartburn and digestive ailments, then we need to balance this issue before we can be successful with the allergy. I've noticed that many seasonal allergy sufferers also have a significant food sensitivity history, especially with proteins. I have written articles in the past that address digestive problems so I won't go into details.

If you are one of those who have severe seasonal allergies you may need to eliminate wheat, grains and dairy for a time. Sleep apnea and horrendous snoring can be a symptom of wheat sensitivity. Just because you are not allergic to wheat doesn't mean it is not playing a part in this disorder. Try this; eliminate all wheat and dairy for a week and see how you feel, and if you (and those you love) sleep better.

Water intake

Another player in allergy relief is dehydration. When we consume too much bread and sugars your body uses water to dilute and eliminate these excess sugars. So again we see the connection of a diet of high processed foods (high in sugar) contributing to dis-ease in the body. When the body uses up so much water, dehydration occurs. This then dries up the mucous membranes in your sinuses. This of course results in a reduced protective factor for inhaled allergens, dust, yeast and molds. Add to this the use of allergy medicines which dry you out even more, and it is no wonder dehydration is a part of the allergy puzzle.

Finally, there may be a need for overall liver support. When your body is trying to get rid of toxins (allergens), and your liver is struggling because of overload from poor diet, frequent medications and the like, you may need to give it some help.

Isn't it time to break the cycle? Come see us at the Ki Center and get a comprehensive evaluation for these and many other problems.

With so many prescription drugs being pulled off the shelves, most recently the drug Avandia, it would seem that someone somewhere should be raising a flag and asking some hard questions.

Why is this country, with all its wealth and resources, one of the lowest rated for life expectancy? Why is iatrogenic disease (health care caused) the number one cause of death in this country, even above heart disease and diabetes?

I strongly believe that our medical establishment has lost sight of a fundamental truth in health and wellness. You must treat the whole person.

Drugs not always the answer

Using toxic chemicals to drug a person's symptom into submission isn't working for the long term. Side effects from these drugs are the cause of many other problems that are then treated with even more drugs. The cycle continues, and a severe decline in health is seen. For the most part, it is the elderly that suffers I believe, more so than the rest of the population. However, I have noticed an increase in the number of clients that are younger now having the same problems as the elderly. I hope this trend doesn't continue, but unfortunately, unless we as a nation re-examine the national health care system, I believe it will continue.

There is room enough in our health care system for alternative practitioners and allopathic (traditional) practitioners to work together. I have had the opportunity to share my information and findings with a few of my clients physicians. It is refreshing to find a physician open enough to discuss what I find and what course of action I take to correct the imbalances. The treatment is enhanced when qualified alternative practitioners and traditional medicine is combined. The patient benefits, they get better quicker and their health care costs go down as the need for long term medication is eliminated.

Profit over health

Too much emphasis has been put on drugs for everything and nothing but drugs for anything. The profits are too high to stop and the lobbyists are too numerous to ignore. Frankly I think the emphasis is on money and profit and not on the individual. There is a good reason why more people are migrating to holistic practitioners and alternative therapies. People want more choice in their health care. They are becoming more educated about alternatives, and with detailed information available on the internet have more resources to better educate themselves.

Alternative therapies work. Nutritional deficiencies are rampant in this country and no amount of chemistry will change that. Much of the heart disease in this country could be alleviated by simple additions of key phytonutrients to the diet. Balancing the energetic and emotional components of health is a much better choice than toxic, side effect laden drugs for depression. My case files are full of people weaned off of heavy depression medications and now living drug free and happy.

Western medicine does not get it

My concept of an ideal health care system would be one that each person has the ability to choose which type of treatment to participate in. The insurance would cover any qualified practitioner and its components. Allopathic and alternative professionals could and would work together for the good of the patient and holistic (whole body, mind and spirit) care would be the norm.

Most physicians will tell you that vitamins and minerals don't work. They will tell you that studies have shown no significant improvement in conditions when vitamins and minerals were used. And quite frankly, in most cases they are correct. However the use of synthetic, fractionated nutrients will never give you the same results as clinically pure, whole food phytonutrients. There is a huge difference between a vitamin you buy in the local market and a true whole food nutrient that is tested to your body for efficacy and accuracy.

It's about balance

At the Ki Center we practice true clinical bio-chemistry. In addition, we balance the emotions, structure and energetic components of the body. In other words; we treat the whole body. And whenever possible, we will work with your regular doctor and offer the information to him or her and extend the hand of cooperation.

Each modality of health care has its merits. Each has value and can be incredibly beneficial. I will be the first to acknowledge that I cannot help everyone. Some folks are so devastated by illness and disease that strong drugs are the only answer, and are the most appropriate. I cannot however agree that drugs are the only answer to all maladies. I have witnessed many people get better with simple phytonutrient protocols, wean off of prescription drugs and finally have relief from years of discomfort.

I am not a big fan of vaccines. Every year we are bombarded by reports and warnings about potential flu epidemics and scare tactics designed to separate you from your money—at the expense of your own health. I am also very wary of anything the carries the support of the FDA, CDC, WHO, UN, AMA, or any other government agency testifying to the safety and efficacy of drugs.

Creating Panic

Remember the swine flu epidemic of 1976? How about the SARS epidemic from Hong Kong and of course the H5N1 Bird Flu that was going to potentially kill 20% of the population? And of course who can forget (recently) the Swine Flu pandemic (H1N1) that brought most countries to a level 6 medical alert? What do all of these events have in common? They never happened.

What did happen though was that a lot of money was made by organized medicine. In addition, Congress passed legislation that exempted drug makers from being sued by anyone harmed or killed by these vaccines. Stay tuned for more hype and regulatory shell games as there is now a new super bug identified in Japan that is resistant to all forms of antibiotics.

What to do now

So what are we to do? I, like many of my clients, pursue natural immune enhancement that will strengthen the body's ability to mount a normal and powerful defense against viruses, bacteria and microbes. Notice that I said mount a defense not prevent? We will still be exposed to various things that can make us sick. The key is to stop it in its tracks or severely limit the duration and severity of the attack.

Things that can be done now to strengthen the immune system are eating a variety of whole foods, organic when possible, and limit the amount of processed non-foods that have no redeeming nutritional value. Eat the colors of the rainbow. By that I mean to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are deeply colored as these foods contain thousands of enzymes, micro and macro nutrients, sterols and fatty acids that combine synergistically, that is, they work together perfectly and are absorbed properly because they are whole foods, not synthetic non-foods. Getting exercise, drinking clean water, getting adequate sleep will support and strengthen your immune system as well.

Powerful natural products

When I need extra help, especially during cold and flu season, I use and recommend to my clients three basic products. They are Congaplex, Immuplex, and Echinacea Premium, all from Standard Process Labs. These are the big guns as they go straight to the heart of immune building.

Congaplex is for systemic infections, fever reduction and stimulates the thymus gland to produce more white blood cells. I have used this product personally with great success--and is generally used short term. Immuplex will also support and enhance the body's immune response. It is primarily used for viral and bacterial infections and can be used as a long term immune system building agent. Echinacea premium on the other hand is made from both Echinacea angustofolia and Echinacea pupurea. Both are needed to be effective and be properly assimilated by the body. When these products are combined, the immune response is impressive--quick and effective, and generally successful within 24-48 hours.

Overuse of drugs

Of course, if you have been diagnosed with a massive bacterial infection of any type, then a course of potent antibiotic may be necessary to get you out of the danger zone. If that is the case, then a follow up of immune building products like I have described, would be of great benefit for the recovery and preventing possible recurrent infections.

Over use of antibiotics has created more resistant strains of bacteria, this is a medical fact. The use of stronger medicines to offset this resistance can and will lead to more serious side effects. Why not use powerful natural products, with proven efficacy, to stave off infections in the first place? Or, if infected, let the body (with help) fight it the way it has been designed to do. The end result will be an immune system stronger than before and much more capable of resisting future infections of all type.

Let me take a moment to say thanks to the East County Gazette for allowing me the opportunity to contribute to their publication. In the articles to follow I hope to surprise you, raise questions and possibly even make you angry. Above all what you will get is pertinent, accurate information designed to make you think and hopefully encourage you to check out information for yourself. I will never tell you what to think. You have enough of that already. You are in charge of your health care; do not let anyone convince you otherwise. What you need is good information to make informed decisions. Lets get started.

The Wrong Information

I get so angry at the established medical community scaring their patients senseless with incomplete information about their cholesterol levels. Thousands of unsuspecting intelligent people have been convinced to take liver damaging drugs to artificially reduce their cholesterol numbers. Maybe you remember some 20 years ago that the medical profession informed the public that if your cholesterol was 180-200 then you were sick and needed a pill to correct this life threatening disease. Then a new line of Statin drugs came out which could lower the numbers even more. More recently the number has dropped to even lower levels because of, you guessed it, newer drugs. When you take into account that these drugs gobble up vitamins such as Coenzyme Q-10, Folic Acid, Vitamins B-12, K, D, E and Iron you have a recipe for disaster.

The Facts

Let me give you some facts to help you decide for yourself what you need. Cholesterol is essential for life. Just as the banana peel protects the fruit from damage and oxidation, your cholesterol protects your cells from damage and oxidation. It’s quite a bit like a bullet proof vest for the cell. People have been duped into believing that the lower their cholesterol is the healthier they are. This is not true and frankly the opposite is true. If your total cholesterol numbers get to 125 and lower you are sick and in danger of serious disease and illness. Did you know that when you have damage to a blood vessel or any damage for that matter your body uses cholesterol as a bandage to repair the area? Weaknesses in the blood vessels are patched with cholesterol. So a question remains; is the cholesterol building up in your veins because of fat or repair of weak areas?  If your total cholesterol gets too low the cells can be damaged by free radicals, toxins and drug interactions. Cholesterol protects these cells from damage.

Practically every organ in the body manufactures cholesterol. If your eating habits, exercise and life style are relatively good the cholesterol in your system will regulate itself. If you have adequate fat in your diet, and I am talking about good fat, omega 3 and 6, you won’t have the elevated levels that are truly a problem. If your numbers are 280 and above then yes we need to make some changes to allow the body to bring these levels back into balance. Let me say that this is possible without drugs. I have seen it in my clients reductions of 50 points in 30 days or less just by giving the body the tools it needs to regulate the process. And a real shocker for them is when I tell them to increase their intake of dietary fat. Well that just flies in the face of conventional drug profit wisdom doesn't it? Heaven help us all if we start to get healthy without medications!

In fact the older we get the higher the cholesterol numbers should be up to a point. If the body is in balance, in other words if the ratio to HDL and LDL are good, your triglycerides are in normal range and you eat relatively well and get exercise, then a number like 230-245 (if your in your 50s and older) is great! You want that protection around your cells to keep the degeneration and break down of tissues as we get older from running rampant. Cholesterol lowering drugs damage your liver, period. Just because someone has said that you're sick if you have cholesterol above 150 doesn't make it true, especially if that someone has a profit motive for you to buy their drug.

Case History

Medications can be a life saver when needed. But it just makes more sense to try something less invasive and easier on your system first. By the way that client I have that reduced her cholesterol by 50 points; she went from total cholesterol of 295 to 215 in 45 days without drugs. You know what her doctor said? Thats a good start but I think you still need to be on this drug. You decide.

Every journey begins with the first step. If you could make positive life style changes for just thirty days, and reap benefits from that investment for the rest of your life, then that would be an investment worth making, don;t you think?

Dietary Mis-information

There is so much hogwash about health and nutrition out there today that finding correct information—not just the current fad diet or wonder product with a wonderful marketing plan, can be an exercise in frustration. Who do you believe? What study is correct? One week we hear that a particular product is toxic, then, the following week we hear it;s beneficial. It;s enough to make your head spin.

Self Repair

There are a few facts I want you to know about your health. First, the body is designed genetically to heal and renew itself constantly. As long as the body has the right tools to work, it will repair itself every second of every day. When we cut our finger, the area heals, new skin is formed and the new skin is perfect. If a bone is broken, new bone forms that is stronger then the old bone, all without pills or drugs.

Secondly, people who eat a Western diet of sugar laden, chemically-altered non-foods suffer high rates of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, joint problems, osteoporosis and cancers of all types. In fact, most degenerative diseases, which eat up approximately eighty percent of the annual 4.5 trillion dollar bill spent on health care, can be attributed to this Western diet.

Another interesting and true fact is that people who eat real food, traditional diet, whether it is high fat, high protein or high carbohydrate, will generally not have these health problems. The difference is that they eat real foods instead of overly-processed, chemical concoctions produced by a Western food industry.

So we have a body designed for perfection, and what we do is feed it junk. Unable to heal properly without proper nutrition, it's no wonder our bodies suffer so many maladies. And on top of that, we have an industry designed to make money by convincing you that you are sick and need this drug or that program to feel better. All it takes is money and blind obedience to the experts that want to relieve you of that money and your long term health.

The Western diet is not the cause of our problems, we are. It is our decisions that produce the consequences we suffer from. Instead of choosing real foods in moderation, exercise and a healthy life style, we choose to eat non-foods and take pills to counter the results, all at the expense of our own health.

Your Body is the Key

I am in the business of helping people to heal themselves. I've seen this miracle of genetic engineering produce amazing results in a short period of time. If you can give me thirty days to make changes in your lifestyle, nutritional (chemical) balance, emotional and structural health, I know that you can see dramatic positive results that will be life changing.

I am not a miracle worker or some self-proclaimed healer extraordinaire. I simply understand what balance can do to heal your body. The tools I use are made from organic phyto-nutrients (food). They work quickly and have no side effects. When you combine these tools with understanding of how the body works, and have a method of accessing the innate wisdom of your own body to find the cause of the imbalance, you have a very powerful weapon against illness and disease. The beautiful thing about all of this is your own ability to heal. It;s automatic! Give your body what it needs and it does the work.

I strongly believe that we are in a battle with an industry designed to convince you that you are sick-- there are trillions of dollars at stake, after all. Most of the foods we eat (in a Western diet) are produced cheaply and cause health problems. Furthermore, and in my opinion, the medical industry has a vested interest in having more sick people around to keep the money flowing.

If they (the food and drug industry) are so concerned about our health and prevention, then let’s see some action toward that end. Allow people to use their insurance dollars to see alternative professionals and get second opinions from a holistic perspective. And by all means, give real nutritional and health education to our kids instead of the party line from food and drug industrialists.

I am not one for conspiracy theories. But if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck then it must be a duck. Anyone who has followed my column for any length of time is familiar with my views on drugs and vaccines. They can be appropriate but honestly, I believe they do more harm than good.

Government out of Control

Most recently, the CDC has released the 2007-2008 recommended immunization schedules for adults. The schedule includes 11 different types of vaccines including tetanus, HPV, measles mumps and rubella, influenza and herpes zoster (shingles). When you consider the amount of toxic chemicals in these vaccines, it is no wonder that our society is experiencing a dramatic increase in auto-immune types of diseases.

If that is not enough, legislation is being introduced to force parents to immunize their children with a toxic cocktail of drugs during their most formative years. There are documented instances where a parent not choosing to immunize their child has had them taken away and made a ward of the state. Since when have we as a nation given up our right to choose what is best for ourselves and our children?

The HPV immunization for young girls is a perfect example of this type of government control. It (the vaccine) has only been on the market since 2006, with a small percentage of women being immunized. Of those women, 82 serious side effects have already been reported. That of course is only what is reported; many problems do not get reported. This drug is far too new and untested to evaluate the potential for harm over the long term. Frankly it scares me to death that it may be mandatory at some point.

I have had clients that couldn't have their kids in school unless they were medicated for ADD/ADHD. How many stories are out there of adverse side effects for these types of psychiatric drugs? I see more and more physicians, as well as specialists in the field of psychiatry, rallying against the use of powerful drugs for unwarranted conditions. But when you get the pharmaceutical industry, along with their powerful lobbyists and combined support from the insurance industry, you have a recipe for profound abuse of these chemicals.

Any diagnoses of mental conditions carry an insurance code based on a recognized malady. This will qualify the patient to receive re-imbursement from their insurance company, receive a label for their condition, and most likely a drug of some sort to hopefully correct the problem. As an example, here are a few of the new insurance recognized maladies that will be covered by your insurance, along with drug therapy---Mathematics disorder, caffeine disorder, disorder of written expression, telephone scatialogia (I don't even want to know), and malingering! It's no wonder we are nation on Prozac.

The industry is even working on a vaccine for cavities! The CDC has actually defined dental carries (cavities) as an infectious, communicable disease. This is beyond ridiculous! There are many cultures in the world that have no tooth decay whatsoever. And it is a result of eating indigenous foods appropriate for their nutritional type, not processed food and sugar.

In my opinion, and I am in good company on this, nutritional deficiencies are the main cause of most of our disease and illness problems. When you combine a diet devoid of any nutrition from processed foods, toxic chemicals from our environment, an over abundance of toxic drugs and immunizations, what do you expect your body to do? It will revolt and do it's best to get your attention to correct it.

Distorting the facts

We are in the flu shot season now. I have stated before I will not participate in this debacle as there are no statistics to prove efficacy of this drug. What you have heard from the CDC is that in 2005 there were approximately 36,000 people who died of the flu. This is a gross distortion of the facts. There were only 1806 people who died of the flu in that year. The statistics that the CDC sites here is that anyone dying of pneumonia can be classified as having the flu, so when their numbers came out, and rest assured the pharmaceutical industry will grab a hold of this for marketing purposes, it looks as though the flu is a scary problem bordering on an epidemic.

If you are healthy and you have a strong immune system, your body has an amazing capacity to fight off many of the problems we face today. But a continual diet of processed foods, drugs for every little symptom, and subscribing to the fear- based marketing programs that big business throws at us, we will continue on our downward spiral as one of the sickest nations on earth.

Every time I hear the term syndrome attached to a disease or illness, it makes me shudder a bit. I know that this generally means that the cause of the problem is unknown, and there will be a new drug available to mask some of the symptoms, but that the root of the problem will probably not be addressed. Such is the case for Restless Leg Syndrome.

There are three major causes of RLS: insufficient calcium to the legs, structural problems affecting the legs, and inadequate blood circulation into the legs.

Calcium Deficiency

On the issue of calcium deficiency, but the body’s inability to digest and assimilate calcium…that is, getting it to the legs. This deficiency begins in the stomach with poor digestion, especially for those over the age of 65. A large majority of this age group also takes antacids which is a set up for serious calcium malabsorption. Combining regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis, which further depletes digestive enzymes, you can see why RLS is so epidemic.

As calcium absorption problems increase, the body will begin to calcify ligaments, tendons and cartilage. This is the formula for osteoporosis and arthritis. The usual treatment of choice is more drugs, which mayl cause even more problems with calcium assimilation. As the lower spine suffers, the result can be a narrowing of the spinal canal with pinched nerves that feed the legs. This can cause a constant nagging irritation, often producing muscle twitching, spasms, pain, burning and more.

Bad Drugs

Even if you have enough digested and absorbed calcium in your blood, without adequate delivery (circulation) the needed nutrients are not reaching the legs. If this is the case then we need to look at the heart for possible imbalances to ensure adequate circulation.

So now we have three major contributors to RLS, all of which are easily corrected with a holistic approach. The drug of choice from most doctors is Requip, an anti-Parkinson drug. The listed frequent side effects include: nausea, vomiting, dizziness and melancholy. Occasional side effects: 12-15% of patients experience hypotension, abnormal vision, dry mouth, hallucinations, viral infection and more. If that is not enough, there are reports of falling asleep during activity (driving) with the use of this drug.

So what will be done if you come to the Ki Center clinic for this problem? First, we will evaluate your calcium need. If you are found deficient, then I will use the most useable form of calcium I know of, Calcium Lactate (not from dairy) from Standard Process Labs. If there is also a calcium transport problem, then an excellent product called Cataplex F, which is a form of unsaturated fatty acid, will help your body use the calcium it has and get it to the legs. If there is a circulation problem on top of everything else, then I will test you for the use of Cataplex E2. This nutrient vastly improves the oxygen carrying capability of the blood, which in turn improves circulation.

If a structural component is part of the problem, such as osteoporosis or arthritis, then an aggressive protocol to correct these problems will be necessary. This may include changing your eating habits, life style and exercise routine.

Finally, we will evaluate your for possible digestive problems. If you are not digesting your food properly, then you will have a serious problem digesting and assimilating any calcium products you take. Digestion is one of the easiest and quickest problems to correct holistically.

There is no good reason for RLS to be so epidemic in America. It is simply a symptom of imbalance in one or more of the areas discussed here. Treat the underlying causes of this syndrome and the symptoms go away. Allow six to twelve months to resolve tough cases. Keep up with the protocol and you will have cured an otherwise incurable disease. Incidentally, if you are having trouble sleeping, with or without RLS, try wearing a pair of wool socks to bed. There have been clinical studies showing people will sleep better when their feet are warm; lots of people have cold feet at night and don't even know it. And it is not acceptable to put your cold feet in the middle of your partners back to get them warm!