Sugar Season is Here

By Cristina McMullen, Certified Wellness Coach, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

Have you ever sat back and wondered why “flu season” starts around mid-October and lasts all the way until March/April?  What is going on this time of year that makes our bodies an ideal environment for these microbes to thrive?

Sugar Season

This is the time of year when sugar is in abundance!  It starts with Halloween, continues with Thanksgiving, gets a huge boost at Christmas/Hanukkah, continues at Super Bowl parties, gets a big chocolate kiss at Valentine’s Day, and ends with Easter candy!

Sugar and its effect on the immune system has been studied since the early 1970s.  It has been proven time and again that simple sugars can suppress the immune system for hours after ingestion.  It does this by affecting the function of neutrophils, the major immune cell that engulfs and destroys microbes.  A normal, healthy white blood cell can destroy an average of 13 germs.  Consuming only 4 grams of sugar weakens our white blood cells so that they can only destroy about 10 microbes.  Increase this sugar consumption to 50 grams and our white blood cells can now only destroy about 5-6 microbes!  To put this into perspective, one miniature Hershey’s bar contains 4 grams of sugar, one miniature Three Musketeer contains 11 grams of sugar, 8 gummy bears contain 21 grams of sugar, and your typical slice of pie with one scoop of ice cream packs a powerful 50 grams of sugar!  Think about how much candy kids eat starting on Halloween night, and it no longer becomes a mystery as to why flu season is in full swing in early November.

The Vitamin D Connection

Our bodies synthesize vitamin D3 from the UV rays of the sun.  When the weather begins to cool down and our clothing layers come out of the attic, our skin is no longer exposed to the sun’s rays, making it next to impossible for our bodies to synthesize vitamin D.  Research has shown that vitamin D3 encourages the production of antimicrobial peptides known as cathelicidins.  These polypeptides play a critical role in the body’s immune defense against microbes.  Supplementing with Vitamin D3 during the fall and winter months is a great way to help support the immune system. (We recommend 5,000 iu per day for adults, and 1,000 iu per every 25 pounds of body weight for children in the fall/winter months.)

Holiday Stress

Let’s face it, the holidays are stressful.  Whether it is dealing with out-of-town family, fighting the shopping crowds, or figuring out how to pay for the extra holiday expenses, our adrenal glands are in over drive.  They enter into a state of constant “fight or flight” and begin producing large amounts of the stress hormone cortisol.  High levels of cortisol in the bloodstream suppress the immune system and can even stop the production of certain immune cells altogether.  Supporting the adrenal glands nutritionally with Vitamins B and C, as well as taking an herbal supplement to support the adrenal glands, can be another way to support the immune system and stay healthy during “flu season.”

So if you want to keep your immune system strong this coming season, limit your sugar consumption, supplement with vitamin D3, and combat stress with natural supplements that promote healthy adrenal function and relaxation.

Longevity’s Nutrition Shoppe carries a wide variety of natural sleep remedies and mood-elevating products.  Call or stop by to speak with one of our staff members about the best stress-relieving strategies and supplements for your family.  

Dr. Anderson’s Favorite Adaptogens

When you think of Adaptogens, think of these three S words: Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief!

To qualify as an Adaptogen, an herb must be completely safe and non-toxic, it must have broad uses for health, and it must specifically reduce stress, both mental and physical. To put it simply: Adaptogens help you adapt. By tonifying and rejuvenating the entire adrenal system, they promote the healthy regulation of cortisol, the “stress hormone.”

Adaptogens greatly improve your body’s ability to adapt to stressors, from a hectic schedule or rush hour traffic to extreme temperatures and high altitudes. This elite class of herbs impart strength, energy, stamina, endurance, and they improve mental clarity. In many parts of the non-western world Adaptogens are used extensively in high-risk, fast-reflex occupations, from athletes to miners to deep sea divers.

Ashwagandha: For exhaustion from physical and/or mental strain.

Of all the medicinal plants used in India’s several millennia old tradition of Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is the most highly prized. It is used to help increase vitality, energy, endurance and stamina, promote longevity, and strengthen the immune system. Today, herbalists often recommend it for people with high blood pressure, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and impotence associated with anxiety or exhaustion. It enhances endocrine function, especially the thyroid and adrenals.

Astragalus: The Immune Defender

Astragalus has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It was often combined with other herbs to strengthen the body against disease. Astragalus may help protect the body from diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, lowering blood pressure, treating diabetes, and protecting the liver. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, studies have shown that astragalus has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system, suggesting that it may help prevent colds. U.S. researchers have looked at astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus supplements seem to help people recover faster and live longer.

Eleuthero: For sexual function and overall vitality.

Employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to invigorate sexual function, boost vital energy and normalize overall body functions, Eleuthero enhances immunity and vitality overall. With 3000 studies and counting, Eleuthero has been studied more than any other herb on the planet! It helps the body adapt to stress and makes the stress response more efficient. It also strengthens memory and helps one stay clear-headed even under pressure. It helps sustain energy over the long-term without the jitters or energy roller coasters of stimulants like caffeine.

Holy Basil: For immunity and longevity.

Like other Adaptogens, Holy Basil enhances the body’s natural response to physical and emotional stress. But it’s also used to treat common colds and flu, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, earache, headache, heart disease, fever and ringworm. The natural chemicals found in this herb help decrease pain and swelling (inflammation), and stabilize high blood sugar.

Maca: For stamina and performance.

Maca root enhances energy, memory, libido and fertility. Women can use it for hormone balance, menstrual problems and menopause symptoms, and men can use it for sexual and athletic stamina. Maca is also used to treat anemia, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction and depression.

Panax Ginseng: For mental clarity and mood stability.

Ginseng is a tonic herb used for rejuvenate and invigorate. It is often used for improving thinking, concentration, memory and work efficiency, physical stamina, and athletic endurance. It’s also useful in treating depression and anxiety.

Rhodiola Rosea: For “burn-out” from prolonged stress and exhaustion.

A well studied Adaptogen, Rhodiola defends the body overall, and protects general health and well-being. Its anti-stress and fatigue-fighting properties make it one of the most popular botanicals in all of Siberia. It is known for fighting “21st century stress”: fatigue, mental fog, trouble concentrating, low energy and, perhaps, mild depression.

Schisandra: The liver and cell protector.

Schisandra is a potent general tonic, decreasing fatigue, enhancing physical performance, and promoting endurance. The berry counters stress by reducing the levels of stress hormones in the blood. This herb has particular benefits to the liver. It helps in the treatment of hepatitis, as noted in over 500 cases. Schisandra berries provide powerful antioxidant protection, particularly from free radicals and other toxins in the environment that may cause cellular damage.

A few things to note about Adaptogens:

  • Adaptogenic herbs do not alter mood or have a numbing effect, but rather, they help the body function optimally during times of stress.
  • Because many adaptogenic herbs have a stimulating effect, it’s best to take them before 3 p.m., so as not to disrupt sleep. Another class of herbs called nervine relaxants are more suitable for the evening hours (kava kava, avena sativa, etc, chamomile, etc).
  • Different Adaptogens affect people different ways. At Longevity, we favor the synergistic blends, but many of our patients do well with certain herbs over others and like to take one by itself. As you’re experimenting with these herbs, start with low doses and be mindful of your mood, energy and sleep levels. We can help you adjust accordingly.

Pumpkin: Fall’s Superfood

By Cristina McMullen, Certified Wellness Coach, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

Fall is finally here, which means it is time for pumpkins! Whether it be carving pumpkins, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, or eating pumpkin pie, pumpkins embody everything festive and comforting about fall and the coming cooler weather.  But there is much more to these gourds than pretty decorations, fun activities, and delicious (yet very sugary) desserts and drinks.  Pumpkins are full of nutrition and are actually considered by some to be a fall super food!

Here are some reasons why you may want to add some pumpkin into your diet this season:

Pumpkin Helps Protect Eyesight
Just one cup of mashed pumpkin contains over 200% of the RDI of Vitamin A, which helps with vision.  Pumpkins also contain beta-carotene, the compound that gives pumpkins their orange hue, which is converted by the body into a form of Vitamin A, adding more protection to your vision.  They are also loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that may help prevent cataracts and even slow down the development of macular degeneration.

Pumpkin Helps Boost Immunity
The same cup of mashed pumpkin also contains 20% of the RDI of Vitamin C.  This single vitamin helps boost our immune system so that we can be proactive in staying healthy this coming cold and flu season.

Pumpkin Seeds Can Help Protect Your Heart
Nuts and seeds, including pumpkin seeds, are naturally high in plant-based chemicals called phytosterols that have been shown in some studies to help lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Pumpkin Seeds Can Boost Your Mood
Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan.  This amino acid is important in the production of serotonin, one of the major neurotransmitters that impact our mood.

Pumpkins Can Aid in Weight Loss
Once cup of pumpkin contains 3 gram of fiber.  Because fiber is what helps us to feel fuller longer, pumpkin can help keep us from eating too much over the holidays and packing on those winter pounds.

Pumpkin May Help Ward Off Diabetes
Aside from the benefit of adding fiber into your diet, pumpkins have been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, and increase the amount of insulin your body produces.

Pumpkin May Reduce Cancer Risk
We now know that pumpkins contain very high amounts of beta-carotene.  Research has shown that people who eat foods rich in beta-carotene may have a lower risk of developing certain forms of cancer, especially prostate and breast cancers.

So go ahead and make both of these amazing pumpkin recipes this fall!  They are both full of flavor and guilt-free!

PUMPKIN CHOWDER

Ingredients:

  • 2 sugar pumpkins (also called pie pumpkins), peeled and diced into cubes
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 5 organic celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 large organic carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 poblano peppers, seeded and diced
  • 2 tbsp crushed garlic
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp Himalayan salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 3 organic, free range chicken breasts
  • 3 quarts organic vegetable broth
  • 1 stick organic, pasture raised butter
  • 1 cup gluten free flour
  • 2 cups almond milk
  • Sriracha (optional)

Directions:

  • Before cutting up the vegetables, add the chicken breasts and vegetable broth to a large stockpot, cover, and cook on high in order to start cooking the chicken.
  • In another large pan, melt the coconut oil. Add the vegetables, garlic, and seasoning and cook until the vegetables begin to soften (about 7-10 minutes).
  • Add the vegetable mix to the stockpot of chicken and broth. Chop ½ bunch of cilantro and add to the soup.  Continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Remove the chicken, cool a bit, and shred before returning it back to the pot.
  • While the chicken is cooling, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the gluten free flour to make a paste. Begin to incorporate some broth into the flour paste one cup at a time until it begins to have a soupy consistency and then add this mix to the stockpot.
  • Bring the soup to a boil and allow it to thicken for a few minutes.
  • Add the almond milk.
  • Serve the soup and garnish it with extra fresh cilantro and, if you want some extra kick, some sriracha.

 HEALTHY PUMPKIN FUDGE

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups coconut butter (I used Nutiva’s Coconut Manna)
  • 1 ½ cups organic pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup raw, local honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt

Directions:

  • Melt the coconut butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring out all of the clumbs
  • Remove from heat and mix together with the remainder of the ingredients
  • Spread out on a baking sheet and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours, or until the fudge hardens to consistency
  • Cut into pieces and enjoy!
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Susan Flaherty’s Testimonial

Here at Longevity, we love hearing testimonials from our patients who have experienced amazing transformations with their health.  Enjoy this story from a patient who has seen miraculous improvements in her quality of life.  If you have a testimonial to share, we’d love to hear from you and use your story to encourage others! 

It just seems like I remember always being what could be described as “robust but fragile” all of my life. Maybe my immune system was always a bit weak, because although I could excel at sports, I would catch things easily. It was not until 1990, at age 38, when the situation took a turn for the worst, and I experienced a fever that held on for 12 days and increased as the days went by. I kept getting weaker and weaker, and finally numbness began to move up my legs starting at my feet. By evening I could no longer stand up and had to be rushed to the ER. After many tests, the doctors were still unsure of the cause, but treated the symptoms as they saw fit (with steroids). The doctor of infectious disease mentioned that he “suspected Lyme disease” but could not confirm it through the testing.(I have since learned that traditional testing is not adequate to confirm Lyme disease and that more sophisticated testing is needed.)

Two weeks later when all the dust settled, I found myself paralyzed from the chest down, with several doctors telling me I would likely never walk again. I was single, and rehab took about a year, so my new life was an incredible challenge.  In a strange way, I found all of this to be a time of spiritual awakening, as I came to trust a higher power to see me through all of this. In an unexplainable way this experience had a beauty about it that was profound.

So, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and tried my best to learn to walk again. Over several months, I was able to get around and walk, but always with a severe stiff legged limp. Over the next many many years I experienced diverse symptoms that included: joint pain (with visible joint damage) skin rashes, severe allergic reactions, sounds in my ears, itching all over, insomnia, dry uncomfortable eyes, eye lids twitching, flashing lights and floaters in one eye diagnosed as “inflammatory vitriol detachment”, memory loss, severe brain fog and dizziness, neck pain that would become unbearable and make me have to lay down, irritability, depression, foot pain that seemed to be in the bone, Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, chronic severe constipation and heart palpitations. I think my worst symptom of all was severe fatigue to the point of being unable to participate in life. The list could go on and on but I think you have the picture. The Doctors I would see did not have helpful advice.  They offered drugs to mask the symptoms, but I declined.  I then began to try eating a much healthier diet, which I feel certain may have helped to tide me over until I found the real cause of the problems. At least with good nutrition I was not exacerbating an already difficult situation.

Finally, last summer my symptoms became unbearable and I was finally fed up with suffering.  For many years I had been hearing from people about a wonderful homeopathic doctor. A veterinarian, a chiropractor, a well respected friend and an MD had all spoken of this man to me with great respect. His name they said was Seneca Anderson and he “got results”. They say when the student is ready, the teacher will come, and this was the case with Dr. Anderson.  One day I just decided that I needed to see the “gift in my challenge” in order to be healed. A week after I decided to change my attitude, I found myself talking to a stranger about Dr. Anderson and how he had helped her. That was it. I was going to see him!

Thankfully the wonderful office staff helped me get in ASAP by placing me on a waiting list. I was a bit familiar with Dr. Anderson’s testing equipment and was not too surprised when I was told I had the spirochetes bacteria.  I had read other stories of people who had been treated for the disease with standard medical protocol and were placed on antibiotics for anywhere from one to two years and then relapsed.  I just could NOT go there. I was so happy to hear that Dr. Anderson used methods that supported the body but were effective in killing the bacteria. I was also relieved to see that Dr. Anderson understood how sick I had been and had compassion for me rather than trying to convince me it was “all in my head”.

As excited as I was to have found this wonderful resource, I could not have been totally prepared for how this healing was going to try out my patience in a way like never before. I think when you are resigned to being ill you become lethargic and lose hope. But when you begin to get hope once again, it is a vulnerable feeling and you must exercise your faith like never before so you can go the distance. The healing time I was told would be six months to one year, and so we began. Dr. Anderson sent me home with first a bioenergetic balancing card to wear on my body, as well as some supportive supplements that included a special silver that could kill bacteria. I was asked to eliminate certain foods for a while and to drink plenty of pure water.

It seems that for a good while I felt more tired than before.  I was hopeful that this meant my body was using energy to heal itself with the help of the various supplements and therapies. For several months I was able to be patient as I think I had this idea that it would take “six months” for me to get better. I had sort of set a time limit like that in my mind so when six months arrived I was getting anxious. I felt a good bit better, and many of my symptoms had reduced or disappeared slowly but surely, and I could see clear changes happening. I think the scary thing for us Lyme folks is that our symptoms come and go and move around so much that when we start to get a real cure, we feel worried that it will not last, but my symptoms were now going and not coming back! Yahoo! It did take me almost eight months to clear the spirochetes from my body, and at that time I felt great improvement in my overall health. It would take a little longer to tweak some of the symptoms as I had this disease for close to thirty years, but I was ever so much better and felt like myself again!

In closing, I am ever grateful to Dr. Anderson for following his heart call to become a healer of not only bodies, but of hearts and minds, as he gives his patients much hope and support. The staff at Longevity is just a fine group of caring individuals who encourage you on your journey back to health. Healing will require you to be strong and go the distance, but you can do it, and you deserve to really fight for your life!  Just let Dr. Anderson help you and never give up.  We are all deserving of great health.

May God bless you on your journey, Susan Flahert

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Sharon’s Health Transformation

Here at Longevity, we love hearing testimonials from our patients who have experienced amazing transformations with their health.  Enjoy this story from a patient who has seen miraculous improvements in her quality of life.  If you have a testimonial to share, we’d love to hear from you and use your story to encourage others! 

Dear Prospective Patients,

I wanted to write about my experience with Dr. Anderson and the entire Longevity Health Center team.

When I first saw Dr. Anderson in 2004, I had been ill with Lyme Disease for three years (Diagnosed in 2001).  I had received intensive IV treatment from Lyme-literate doctors in three states.  I felt that the MD’s had saved my life, but I still had little vitality and was very sick.  I have always been open to alternative therapies, and I had used many of them.  But it took three years for me to make the leap to entrusting the core of my treatment to Dr. Anderson.

After only ten minutes of testing, Dr. Anderson told me that that I had two parasites. One of them was toxoplasmosis, which he said could be cured with an herbal remedy in one month.  I was flabbergasted.  I had been to several MD’s, including a gastroenterologist, for debilitating diarrhea over the course of a year.  I had several invasive tests, as well as tests for parasites.  The MD’s found nothing.  After taking Dr. Anderson’s herb for one month, my diarrhea was gone!  If I had any doubt that this man could help me, that doubt now disappeared.

The Lyme treatment was much tougher.  It took well over a year with Dr. Anderson for me to regain some strength and vitality.  But I got to the point where I could work part-time, which was a huge improvement.  I continued to see Dr. Anderson regularly for five years.

I had a serious relapse in March of 2015.  I had experienced significant emotional and physical challenges, including travel and caring for my 91-year-old mother living in Michigan.  When I returned to Atlanta, I was in bad shape.  I was very weak and had trouble thinking.  I had no appetite, and my digestion was terrible.  Trying to stand felt like I was hoisting an elephant.  After six weeks without improvement, I called Dr. Anderson’s office.  He was unavailable for several months, but Cristina was available in two days.  I made the appointment with her in late April.

Cristina was extremely helpful.  She found that I had six different tick-borne infections, including Borrelia, Babesia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  She told me it would probably take six months to feel well.  I didn’t find the treatment easy, but I followed it diligently.  I took certain supplements away from food and stopped consuming almost all gluten, soy, and dairy.  When I had questions and concerns, I phoned the office.  I always got a call back promptly.  Nicole, Cristina, and Melina patiently listened to me and gave me informed, caring answers. I can’t emphasize enough how much it meant to me to know that these wonderful people were available to talk to me during this frightening time.

I did not notice any improvement for a long time.  The months passed slowly, and I had terrible depression.  When I saw Dr. Anderson in September, I still felt miserable.  He modified the treatment for my specific type of Babesia.  He found that I was not absorbing B-12 or folic acid properly, and he prescribed a cream to help with the methylation process.  He also gave me additional adrenal support.  He predicted that I would have better energy and thinking ability in about two weeks.  It actually took five weeks, but then everything suddenly got better!  At first, I had two days in a week where I could stand easily.  The next week I could stand easily for four days.  The following week I had five good days, and the next week I felt good every single day!  My energy and appetite were back, and the depression vanished.  Cristina’s prediction had been correct.  It had taken almost exactly six months for me to regain my health. 

I am absolutely elated!  It is now seven months since I returned to Longevity for treatment for Spirochetes.  I have felt well every single day for a solid month.  Although I still have some limitations from the tick bite, I now have energy and can be up and around most of the day.  I can think, carry on a conversation, shop, cook, and teach dyslexic children to read.  I really feel like I have come back from the dead. 

My mood is excellent, and I have my sense of humor back.  My 26-year-old daughter said one of the big differences she notices is that I can be silly again.  (When you are just trying to survive, there is no energy to be silly.)

There are not words to express the gratitude I feel toward Dr. Anderson and the entire team at Longevity.   This is a very knowledgeable, caring group of people who are dedicated to helping suffering people feel well again.  I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Sharon Moeller, Atlanta, Georgia

Improve Sleep Quality the Natural Way

One of the most common complaints we get from our clients at Longevity is trouble sleeping.  Some people can’t get to sleep, some can’t stay asleep, and then others just don’t feel like they go into a deep, restorative sleep.  Millions of Americans are plagued with insomnia, which is why sleeping pills, including tranquilizers, are the most prescribed group of medications in our country.

When we go into a deep sleep, our parasympathetic nervous system takes over.  This relaxed state is ideal for healthy digestion, detoxification and healing.  The trouble is most of us never go into that really deep, restorative sleep.  Besides interfering with our daily activities and quality of life, sleep deprivation compromises our immunity, making us more susceptible to all the colds and flues that are going around right now.  The bottom line is, when we don’t get enough sleep, we’re more toxic, sickly, grumpier and less productive people!

Protect Your Sleeping Environment

One major barrier to restorative sleep is electromagnetic frequency stress.  Many people are sleeping with electronics plugged in close to their heads.  Transformer plugs emit a 5-foot electromagnetic field.  Be sure to plug in cell phones, iPads, laptops and anything else with a box plug at least five feet from your head.  Don’t sleep with the television on, and if you use an electric blanket, turn it off before going to sleep.  Make sure your room is quiet and dark (important for the production of melatonin), and that the head of your bed is at least ten feet away from your home’s air conditioner condenser units.

Natural Sleep Aids

When it comes to natural sleep remedies, what works for one person may not work for another.  Sometimes a little trial and error is required to find a product that is right for you.  Here are the most common natural sleep remedies we recommend at Longevity. Before you resort to Tylenol PM, Ambien and other addictive sleep aids, why not try a more natural approach?

Magnesium – Magnesium is a good first step when trying to improve your sleep quality naturally.  It’s the most common mineral deficiency, so most of us could use more of it anyway.  We recommend the Natural Calm powder at bedtime (available in our walk-in Nutrition Shoppe).  Magnesium is also helpful for muscle aches, constipation, PMS and a plethora of other symptoms.

L-Tryptophan – This essential amino acid assists with healthy sleep patterns.  In addition to insomnia, L-Tryptophan is used to treat anxiety, depression, PMS, ADD and digestive disorders.  Turkey contains large amounts of L-Tryptophan, which explains why everyone needs a nap after the big Thanksgiving meal!

Melatonin – This is a natural hormone made by the pineal gland, which regulates our circadian rhythms.  During the day the pineal is inactive, but when it gets dark outside, it is triggered to release melatonin into the blood stream.  Typically, this occurs around 9 p.m.  and levels stay elevated about 12 hours, or until light returns in the morning.  Melatonin is especially helpful for people who need to reset their rhythms after traveling across time zones or working night shifts.

Adaptogens  – Adaptogens are herbs that increase attention and endurance in fatigue, and reduce stress-induced impairments and disorders related to the neuroendocrine and immune systems.  Additionally, the Adaptogens are metabolic regulators that have been found to improve carbohydrate metabolism, and counter the catabolic processes associated with any form of stress on the body.  Adaptogenic herbs such as Holy Basil, Shizandra and Ashwaganda help with mood, energy and stress.  They are more lifting, but they help to nourish our adrenal glands, and therefore reset our circadian rhythms.  Rhodiola root is the Adaptogen that is particularly helpful for sleep.

Nervine Relaxants:  Nervine herbs specifically support the nervous system.  This group includes tonics like Skullcap and Avena Sativa, to mildly calming herbs like Catnip and Chamomile.  There are also strong sedatives such as Valerian and Kava Kava and Hops.  Nervines can be used to relieve nagging muscle tension and spasms, circular thoughts, insomnia, and the occasional worry we all experience occasionally. Some of these herbs provide multiple nervine actions, such as Skullcap which relaxes the muscles, helps calm worried thoughts, and nourishes the nervous system. Others such as Avena Sativa help restore and support healthy nerve functioning when taken on a regular basis.

Call or stop by our Nutrition Shop to get a recommendation on the best sleep aid for you. We have natural supplements that help manage stress and anxiety naturally as well.  Sometimes our clients need to try a few different kinds, or different combinations, before they figure out what works best for them.  We also recommend not using bright electronic devices or watching violent or intense television just before going to bed.  Instead, read a book, take a warm bath or pray/meditate the last half hour before you turn in.

Do you have a favorite natural sleep remedy?  What helps you most when you can’t sleep?

 

Curcumin: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant

Although you may only know it as a spice used in curry, Turmeric is an extremely powerful and effective herbal supplement.  It comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which has a very tough brown skin and orange flesh.  Turmeric is also referred to as curcumin, but there is a difference between the two.  Turmeric is the yellow powder used to flavor food, while curcumin is the chemical contained in turmeric.

Curcumin has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from fever to eye infections to skin conditions, but recent research shows it has strong anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties.  You can think of it as a natural aspirin or ibuprofen, reducing inflammation without stressing the liver and kidneys.  It’s particularly helpful in treating arthritis, IBS, Crohn’s disease, injuries and autoimmune diseases.

Benefits of Curcumin:

  • Promotes healthy skin
  • Supports eye health
  • Helps with healthy liver function
  • Boosts antioxidant protection against free radicals (Cellular Protection)
  • Builds the immune system
  • Promotes skeletal system and joint health
  • Supports the digestive and circulatory systems
  • Maintains the cardiovascular system and promotes healthy cholesterol
  • Aids in healthy female reproduction
  • Helps keep blood sugar levels in the normal range
  • Assists the neurological system’s response to stress

At Longevity, we’ve been recommending Curcumin to our patients for years, but one of our favorites is Theracumin. Theracurmin is the first water dispersible curcumin, which means it dissolves instantly in the body, making it 27 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin.

If you’re dealing with pain and inflammation, or you just want a really powerful antioxidant, Curcumin could be just the supplement for you.  Call or stop by our pharmacy to learn more.

Don’t Let Allergies Spoil Your Spring Fever

The long, harsh winter is finally winding down, and spring has officially sprung in Georgia!  We can’t wait to get out and enjoy walks in the park, spring festivals, baseball games and a few days by the pool.  Unfortunately, spring also brings a little baggage in the form of pollen, making people feel crummy.  Pollen allergy symptoms include congestion, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue, just to name a few.  When people who are allergic to pollen come in contact with it, their bodies release histamines, which cause the uncomfortable symptoms that keep them from enjoying the glorious spring weather.

At Longevity we’re already getting calls right and left from patients asking how to manage their spring allergies.  If you usually struggle with pollen and other allergies, you don’t have to wait for the symptoms to come before you do something about them.  Take steps to arm your immune system now.

  • Cut down on dairy and sugar intake. The over-consumption of dairy products is the leading cause of allergies.  Cow’s milk, which contains a protein called casein, is notoriously the most mucus-forming food we can consume.  Alternatives include goat’s milk, rice milk, almond milk and coconut milk.  Eating too much sugar can also suppress your immune system.  Whenever possible, reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet, or replace it with an all-natural sweetener like honey, xylitol or stevia.
  • Bulk up on produce. Fruits and veggies are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect your immune system.  Greens like kale and spinach, berries and pomegranate are especially high in antioxidants.
  • Rid the body of toxins with water and exercise. A great way to keep your immune system strong is to cleanse it of toxins with plenty of water.  Sipping about half your body weight in ounces per day will not only lessen the severity of allergy symptoms, but also keep your skin looking healthy and enhance athletic performance.  Regular exercise loosens toxic buildups that accumulate in your muscles and joins.  It also helps move your lymphatic system, one of the major battlegrounds of immunity.
  • Get plenty of rest. When you sleep at night, you go into the parasympathetic, or the relaxed state, which allows your body to repair from the damage caused by daily stress and exposure to toxins.  Don’t cheat your immune system out of the eight hours of rest it needs!
  • Stock up on natural home remedies. Instead of reaching for the Zyrtec or Claritin, head on over to our nutrition shoppe and pick up the following preventatives:
    • Quercetin – This phyto-chemical is derived from the skins of apples and red onions (eat up!), and is also sold as a dietary supplement.  Once in the body, quercetin acts as a powerful antioxidant, anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.
    • Vitamin C – Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C’s many benefits include guarding against immune system deficiencies.
    • Probiotic – Taking probiotics, or friendly bacteria, in the form of a supplement supports general wellness and smooth immune system function.
    • Immunoglobulin – This is just a fancy word for the antibodies that neutralize germs in the digestive tract.  Unfortunately, many of our bodies don’t release enough immunoglobulin due to stress, poor foods and toxins, so we’re more susceptible to allergies.  This is when it may become necessary to take these antibodies in the form of a supplement.
    • Netty Pot – As part of a regular hygiene routine, netty pots use a salt water or saline solution to cleanse your nasal passages and prevent allergy symptoms.

Containing quercetin, bromelain and vitamin C, Natural D-Hist is our most popular allergy season supplement.

Let us know if you have questions about these tips, and we’ll be happy to make a recommendation.

Happy Spring!

How to Stop Seasonal Allergies Before They Start

By Cristina McMullen, Certified Wellness Coach, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

Spring is just a few weeks away!  The time of year when the days are longer, the air is warmer, and birds are chirping everywhere.  If you are anything like me, you have been eagerly awaiting this time of year since the first cold front last fall.  But if you are one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be dreading the upcoming pollen that causes your head to spin, your nose to run, your eyes to itch, etc.

Mainstream medicine recommends that those who suffer from seasonal allergies take over-the-counter drugs like Claritin and Zyrtec the second things begin to bloom.  While these mask the symptoms, European research has shown that this approach leads to more chronic, long term illnesses that develop later in life such as asthma, skin rashes, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases.  Instead of masking the symptoms of allergies, why not get to the root cause(s) of why you may have symptoms in the first place, and then fix the underlying issues?

In order to know how to eliminate allergies, we first have to understand exactly what allergies are and what is going on in the body during an allergic response.  By definition, an allergy is a hyperactive response of the immune system to certain substances that are ‘foreign’ to the body.  Airborne allergies are caused when pollen, a foreign protein, enters the body and causes the IgA antibody of the immune system to over-react.  This starts an inflammatory response in the body, releasing the chemical histamine, which causes the all-too familiar allergy symptoms of sneezing, itching, eye irritation, and runny nose.

We see more and more people suffering from the effects of seasonal allergies because the immune system has become severely compromised.  Whether we are injecting damaging chemicals into the body through vaccinations, taking pharmaceuticals, or dealing with the everyday exposure to dust, metals, and other environmental chemicals, our bodies are becoming more and more toxic.  Combine these environmental exposures with poor nutrition and lack of exercise, and you have a recipe for disaster.  The immune system cannot keep up, and it begins to hyper-react to just about everything, producing even more histamine and causing even more severe allergic reactions.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE ALLERGY SEASON HITS

Excessive amounts of histamine in the blood can be toxic, and the liver is the organ responsible for removing it quickly.  The rate at which the liver can remove this histamine determines the severity of allergy symptoms.  This is why the number one thing you want to do when getting ready for allergy season is to support the liver!  This is done by reducing your exposure to environmental toxins and repairing any potential damage that has been done to the liver.  Certain foods that help to protect and detoxify the liver include apples, beets, carrots, red onions, garlic, eggs, brown rice, artichokes, dandelion, spinach, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.  Milk thistle is one of the best herbs for detoxifying and even repairing the liver.

It is also important that we strengthen the immune system to that it does not hyper-react to the proteins found in pollen.  Again, decreasing our exposure to environmental toxins takes stress off of our immune system.  Supplementing with colostrum is also a great ideas as it is a sure way to build up the immune system.  You can also use raw, local honey to ‘desensitize’ your immune system to the pollens specific to your area.  The honey, which is made from pollen, exposes your body to very low levels of what the immune system reacts to when it is exposed to large amounts.  So much like an immunization or homeopathic remedy, low doses of what typically causes a response by the immune system can actually help alleviate the symptoms.  I recommend that you ingest 1 tablespoon of the most local honey you can find every day starting now and continuing throughout pollen season. (We sell raw, local honey in our Walk-In Nutrition Shoppe!)

WHAT TO DO DURING ALLERGY SEASON

If you begin to feel the effects of pollen season, there are natural remedies to help your body combat the excessive levels of histamine in the system.  These include anti-inflammatories like quercetin, bromelain, and turmeric.  These tend to have a synergistic effect when they are combined into one formula, much like the AI Formula and D-Hist that we carry in the Nutrition Shoppe.  There are also other Chinese herbal combinations that help relieve the symptoms of hayfever, but without the nasty side effects of conventional over-the-counter allergy products.

Be proactive about allergy season this year!  Call or stop by our Nutrition Shop for supplement and lifestyle recommendations to stop your symptoms before the pollen arrives!

How HOCATT Transformed My Quality of Life

 

Here at Longevity, we love hearing stories from patients who have experienced amazing transformations with their health. Enjoy this Q&A with a patient who has seen vast improvements in her quality of life by incorporating HOCATT into her protocol. 

The acronym HOCATT stands for “hyper-thermic oxygen and carbonic acid transdermal therapy.” The HOCATT acts as a personal steam sauna, in which a person sits with just his/her head exposed to room air, while the body receives the benefits of infusion through the skin of tri-oxygen, carbonic acid, steam, infra-red light, photon light therapy, oxygen and aroma therapy. Now in use in over 20 countries, this therapy is safe and effective for all people seeking vibrant health or pain management.

What were your primary health concerns and symptoms when you started HOCATT therapy?

I began a series of ten HOCATT treatments in hopes that the acute attack of Spirochetes bacteria on my spinal cord, brain and heart would cease. I was experiencing a myriad of symptoms, including:

  • Crazy unpredictable heart rhythms, racing and skipping at random times throughout the day
  • Debilitating headaches
  • Severe pain at my brain stem and down my spinal cord
  • Weakness and dizziness that preventing me from driving myself
  • Muscle spasms around the abdomen area
  • Neuropathy and idiosyncratic nerve sensations down both legs and in my hands, arms and back
  • Arm and hand weakness and exhaustion (To the point where my hands shook just trying to hold my phone for longer than a minute or two, and even brushing my teeth was challenging.)
  • Severe and heavy brain fog (I had trouble remembering events from the previous day.)
  • Severe imbalance and inability to walk on my own
  • Uncontrollable emotions

What was your initial experience and response to the treatments?

To be completely honest, I expected to feel better a little quicker. At first, I would say I actually felt worse, was weaker and more off balance. Around the fifth treatment I started to turn a significant corner. I quickly started regaining my balance and muscle strength, and was able to walk again! I continued to improve each treatment thereafter.

Describe your overall health picture today and the differences you’ve experienced.

Today, I am much more “normal” physically than I was before the 10 HOCATT treatments. My brain no longer feels impeded, and my balance is vastly improved. The weird neuropathy and muscle spasms are gone! My emotions are more consistent, and my heart is no longer out of rhythm.

What would you like to say to others who are going through chronic illness?

Chronic disease almost always has an underlying emotional component that has caused the individual’s immune system to be stuck in overdrive as well as adrenal burnout. Luckily, the immune system can be reset so it’s not always on high alert. I think it’s imperative that people deal with their stress, emotions and past traumas while detoxifying and rebuilding their immune systems.

I would also recommend patients be informed of the need to really allow their bodies to REST after each HOCATT session. The treatments cause the body to go into intense detoxification mode, so people should take it easy and try to reduce stress while going through their series.

What is your overall impression of Longevity Health Center?

Longevity has been a beacon of hope for me after being medically diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, for which there is supposedly “no known cause or cure.” All I was offered were prescription drugs to manage my symptoms, but that never address any root cause (and cost upwards of $60K a year!). Coming to Longevity and learning I am dealing with a chronic Spirochetes infection, and just knowing that healing is possible, and experiencing my own physical progress has been a huge shot in the arm!

What is your overall impression of the practitioners and staff of Longevity?

Longevity is a true place of hope and healing. The staff members are humble, kind and understanding.  I love and appreciate all of them so much. The HOCATT practitioner, Lisa, is a fantastic communicator, advocate and friend, and she really cares about each patient and wants to help. She is just wonderful.

If you have a testimonial to share, we’d love to hear from you and use your story to encourage others! 

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