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.

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.

Some of my favorite clients are the four legged variety. At the Ki Center we not only help people achieve health, but animals as well.

Function specific not species specific

All of the techniques and products we use have proven to be effective on dogs, cats, horses and any animal, as what we do to achieve balance is function specific not species specific. By that I mean that the liver functions the same in a human as it does in a dog or cat, and will respond to therapy and treatment in the much the same way. As we do not use drugs or chemicals, but natural whole food products and herbal medicines, the body, be it human or animal, responds predictably and quickly to natural methods of healing.

Good food is important

One of the key factors for health of a pet is the type of food you are feeding them. There is an old phrase in computer repairman have that states, Garbage in garbage out. What this means is if you put bad things in, you will get bad things out as a result. I cannot emphasize enough that poor quality pet food is a primary cause of health problems in our four legged family.

What do you think would happen if all you ate was dry, nutrient deficient cereal for every meal? You certainly wouldn't thrive and be the picture of health. Arthritis, allergies, poor hair quality and lack of energy would probably be the least of the health concerns you would experience. And yet so many pets are fed a dry kibble for every meal, and even more are fed the cheapest brands or whatever is on sale. It is no wonder that our pets suffer with many of the same afflictions that we do, and have such short lives.

Fortunately, as in humans, animals respond quickly and successfully to proper nutrition and the healing protocols that we use at the clinic. There are many quality organic foods available today for pets. They are more expensive of course, but if a healthy happy pet is your goal, I encourage you to look around and do some research. One of the best feeding methods for dogs is the BARF diet. I know this sounds terrible but what it stands for is bones and raw food. Genetically, animals are wired to digest raw natural foods found in nature. Feeding them quality raw foods designed for them, chicken, turkey, vegetables and raw meaty bones will in fact alleviate many of their health problems quite quickly. If a raw diet is not practical, at least consider giving them raw meaty bones as a treat. A good source of this type of food and other organic foods is the Exclusive Pet Food store in Troutdale. The owner is dedicated to pet health and very knowledgeable. Their phone number is (503)491-1111.

Once a pet is on a good diet, we can then evaluate their imbalances using the same testing methods I use on my human clients, and then make recommendations based on the findings. I am happy to report I have seen many a pet return to health in a relatively short time. Follow up with a proper maintenance program and your pet will stay healthy for as long as possible.

I have noticed that pets respond very well to the energy work we do at the clinic. They enjoy the healing touch of Reiki and will calm them down and almost go to sleep during the treatment.

They have feelings too

There are emotional and behavioral problems in animals that are a direct result of emotional trauma. Just look at all the pets abandoned, abused or ignored, and how they respond to humans afterward. Rehabilitating these animals is often time consuming and frustrating. To address emotional problems of all types in our human clients, we have Rapid Eye Therapy as part of our healing protocol. Fortunately, this type of therapy will work for animals as well and is now available at the Ki Center. Call us for more information on this therapy and how it works. The animal doesn't have to be present, which is good, because horses would present a problem in the office.

I would like to emphasize that holistic healing is not exclusively alternative practices, but a combination of traditional medicine and alternative medicine. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and are most effective when combined. Having a good veterinarian that you trust is essential, just as having a good family practitioner is important.

There seems to be a fair amount of confusion about fat and its importance in the diet. We hear about omega-3, omega-6 fats, but what does it all really mean?

Whats Good

These are defined as essential fatty acids. This means that they are necessary for normal bodily function. But what is most important, is the ratio of these essential fatty acids to each other.

Omega-3 fats are those which can be found in fish oil and flax oil. By far, the most important fat you need for good health is omega-3. Besides being critical to normal hormone production, these fats are brain food. Your brain is composed of 60% fat and without a good intake of omega-3 fats, you could see a decrease in brain function. Everything from mild memory loss to other more serious neurodegenerative diseases can be attributed to this type of nutritional deficiency. Fish oil from salmon, cod, mackerel and other deep cold water fish, are the healthiest and the most potent of the omega-3 fats. Flax oil is a good source as well, however, it is from a plant, and lacks the same potency as compared to fish. It has been estimated that it takes 10 times the flax oil to equal the same benefit from fish oil.

Omega-6 fats are those found in corn, safflower, sunflower, peanut, soy and canola oils. You can find these types of fats in many of the processed foods we eat. Dietary experts have stated that the average American diet consumes 50 times the amount of omega-6 fats as they should. Excess amounts of this fat can cause inflammation in the brain, which is the main culprit of all neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons and ALS. An essential fatty acid, and important to good health, omega-6 should be consumed in moderation, as too much can lead to problems.

Another type of omega-6 fat, one that is more beneficial, can be found in many types of plants in minute amounts but the most prevalent source is evening primrose oil, borage, and black currant seed oil. This is a specialized form of fatty acid high in GLA, (gamma-linoleic-acid), essential for female hormone balance.

Balance of Fats

A healthy and balanced diet will contain more omega-3 than 6. Almost everyone I test during their evaluation is low on essential fatty acids. This will show up as an imbalance and can be the culprit behind many symptoms. I can supplement with fish oil capsules or flax oil to increase the amounts of omega-3. A reduction in the type of fats in many of the cooking oils and processed foods will usually be in order as well.

It should be mentioned that if your gallbladder is not working properly, or you routinely have problems eating fat of any type, we will need to clear that up as well. You can take the best supplements in the world, but if your body cannot metabolize what you take in, then it's a waste of money and will have very little benefit.

Dietary Considerations

Generally speaking, whenever I see someone on a low fat diet, I suspect that it will be synonymous with low nutrition. If they are on a low fat, high protein diet, then I know we will have some work to do in regaining good nutritional balance. What I would like to see is a moderate protein, low carbohydrate and adequate amounts of good fat diet!

Fat (the good kind) is essential for good health. Too much omega-6 fats as found in the oils mentioned earlier, is bad for you. Animal fats from bacon, and marbled meat, and dairy are fine in moderation. At least these are real fats that your body can use and will metabolize. I use real butter and no margarine of any type. Frankly, in my opinion, I don't feel margarine should even be considered as food. If you do not eat fish on a regular basis then I would highly recommend a good fish oil supplement. Standard Process Labs produces an excellent product called Tuna Omega-3, which we carry at the clinic. If you cannot tolerate the fish oil or just can't stand the taste of fish, then I recommend you add flax oil to your diet, 1 tablespoon a day. There are several good brands that I can recommend.

Just remember that good fat is essential to your health. If you have been on a low fat diet and you really haven't seen any improvement, or you feel worse, it may be time for a change to an eating plan that makes sense.

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.