The Natural Reader

Gloria Gilbere, DHom, ND, PhD

Did you know that Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is formulated differently in Europe than that in the U.S.? This fact recently surfaced while I was doing an investigative search, I was livid!

I’ve been teaching, lecturing, and reporting about the dangers of food additives for over 15 years, and to think that other countries have been successful in forcing manufacturers to remove harmful ingredients, and in the U.S. we haven’t been, is mind-boggling.

In 2008, Kraft removed artificial colorings, like yellow#5 and chemical sweeteners like aspartame, from the products they distribute in Europe, Australia, and other developed countries. This occurred due to consumer concern over the scientific link of these synthetic ingredients to hyperactivity and asthma in children, and a myriad of other health disorders too numerous to mention in this context – why hasn’t the U.S. done the same?

Thanks to organizations like MomsRising, a petition has been started to write Irene Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods and a mother of two, requesting Kraft Foods remove these same ingredients from their U.S. products.

The letter campaign simply requests that Kraft value the health of our children as highly as they value children in other countries.

Together, we CAN make a difference, get involved.

Here’s the link to sign the letter. Complacency leads to Complicated Invisible Disorders – are you willing to take the responsibility of illnesses in your children and others that you could have prevented by adding your voice? Be proactive before a disorder emerges and you’re forced to become reactive?

I salute MomsRising for practicing what they teach….involvement and education to make a healthy difference – naturally.

Your Partner in Health,

Dr. Gloria Gilbere (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist

Creator of certificated courses for health professionals to become Wholistic Rejuvenists. Visit my website at www.gloriagilbere.com. Sign-up for my free weekly Blog on www.yourhealthdetective.com.

Gloria Gilbere, DHom, ND, PhD

Exciting news was released regarding the effectiveness of Vitamin D, yes, the sunshine vitamin again.

In a new effort to discover new ways to fight the dreaded H1N1 virus, the Canadian Public Health Agency recently announced it intends on testing the blood of people contracting H1N1 to check for deficiency.

Recent Research Regarding Vitamin D and H1N1

In recent testing, the effect of Vitamin D was the strongest in those with asthma and other lung diseases or who are predisposed to respiratory infections.  The Canadian agency is now taking extraordinary efforts to see if having hefty amounts of Vitamin D in their bodies prevents individuals from developing the virus or having deadly reactions to it.

If researchers determine that the vitamin protects against H1N1, it will give health officials another great line of attack against the pandemic that is much safer and enhances so many other immune functions, without vaccination and their dreaded possible side-effects.

In early 2009, a study determined that people with the most deficiency of Vitamin D were 36% more likely to develop respiratory infections than those with sufficient levels – according to research in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Among asthmatics, those deficient in D were five times more likely to get sick or sicker than their counterparts with healthy levels. This finding translates into twice the risk of respiratory infection in vitamin D-deficient clients and the increased risk of the more serious pneumonia.

In a future Blog post, I went into great detail about the differences between supplementing with Vitamin D₃ verses D₂; you may want to search the archives for that specific information in a few weeks. Vitamin D₃ is the preferred one by integrative medicine professionals because it’s a natural source like that made in our body; Vitamin D₂ is synthetic and mostly recommended by conventional physicians. Readers and clients keep asking me for sources of Vitamin D in food, here it is:

Note: Very few foods in nature contain much Vitamin D.

• Flesh of fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) and fish oils are some of the best sources
• Fortified foods provide most Vitamin D in the Standard American Diet
• All U.S. milk is fortified with 100 IU/cup of Vitamin D – other dairy products made from milk (cheese, ice cream, etc.) are not fortified generally

Selected Food Sources of Vitamin D

*IUs = International Units.
**DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of products within the context of a total diet. The DV for vitamin D is 400 IU for adults and children age 4 and older. Food labels, however, are not required to list vitamin D content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient.

From Where I Sit

In light of all the new research and findings regarding more susceptibility to viruses and infections in those with low Vitamin D levels, I’m recommending all my clients have their levels tested, when possible, and supplement with the new standard recommendation from integrative medicine professionals; 35 IUs of Vitamin D₃ per pound of body weight. Additionally, it only takes 10-15 minutes of sunlight a couple of times per week to really help maintain good levels.

If you’ve already been a victim of the seasonal flu or H1N1 this year, supplement anyway to provide additional immune support…and so many other benefits, naturally.

Your Partner in Health,

Dr. Gloria Gilbere (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist.

Creator of certificated courses for health professionals to become Wholistic Rejuvenists. Visit my website at www.gloriagilbere.com and my weekly free Blog at www.yourhealthdetective.com.

Resources:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=vitamin-d-deficiency-linked-to-more-2009-02-23

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/health-agency-to-test-link-between-flu-vitamin-d/article1231852/

Gloria Gilbere, DHom, ND, PhD

Are you aware of products that contain this deadly ingredient? If not, you should be.

PPA is known to cause hemorrhagic strokes or cerebral bleeding, even with the very first use. It has been linked to to these complications in just three days after taking; especially in women ages 18-49 and infants. Severity of complications were not, however, the same for men and the scientists still don’t know why.

Pharmaceutical companies have known about this danger for years. Unfortunately, the victims of this toxic substance have not. Medications containing this ingrdient were supposedly being recalled, however, they are still available over-the-counter in many areas.

ALL drugs containing PPA are dangerous! You may want to call the 800 number listed on most labels to inquire if they’re removed PPA and about a REFUND; another critical reason to make it a practice to read labels.

1. Adutrim Diet Gum
2. Acutrim Pluss
3. Acutrim Maximum Strength
4. Alka-Seltzer Plus  Children’s Cold Medicine
5. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
6. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Flu
7. Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus
8. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold
9. BC Allergy Sinus
10. BC Sinus Cold
11. Comtrex Flu and Fever
12. Contact 12-hr Day & Night
13. Contac 12-hr caplets
14. Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
15. Dexatrim (all varieties)
16. Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable
17. Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
18. Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
19. Dimetapp Elixir
20. Dimetapp 4-hr Liquid Gels & Tablets
21. Dimetapp 12-hr Tablets and Extentabs
22. Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
23. Permathene Mega-16
24. Robituss CF
25. Tavist-D 12-hr Relief
26. Triaminic DM Cough & Expectorant
27. Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
28. Triaminic, Triaminicol Cold & Cough

Note: A client recently informed me that the makers of Alka-Seltzer have taken PPA out of their products. I have not been able to confirm this, however, there may still be some on store shelves or in your home….read labels!

I called the 800# on a container of Triaminic and they informed me that they are also recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children…dah!

• Orange 3D Cold & Allergy, Cherry (Pink)
• 3 D Cold & Cough Berry
• 3 D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

With the cold and flu season upon us, READ LABELS, your loved one is not nearly at risk from complications of the flu as they are PPA.

Your Partner in Health,

Dr. Gloria (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist  www.gloriagilbere.com, Health Blog: www.yourhealthdetective.com

Creator of Certificated courses for health professionals to become Wholistic Rejuvenists (CWR).

Gloria Gilbere, DHom, ND, PhD

Being in natural health and working with victims of chemically-induduced immune system disorders for over 30 years, I have observed first-hand the effects of flu in those who already have a weakened or overstressed immune system.

The news reports are enough to frighten even the healthiest indivdual, and then there are those who always do exactly as they’re told and run to get their immunization shot.

Allow me to share a real case history: For over eleven years, I practiced in a small town, not far from where I am currently located. All the educators in the school district got their annual flu shots. Little by little some of the teachers became clients and asked if there was a way to protect themselves without the shot because every year they got sick and their frustration with a system that is suppose to protect them, just didn’t.

I offered many options. Some for strengthening their immune responses and killing bacteria and viruses before they catch hold; homeopathic silver that’s made with lightening and the particle size is effective and does not build in the body, loading up on both Vitamin C (usually 3,000 – 5,000 mg daily to bowel tolerance), andVitamin B 100 (usually 2 caps a day with meals which equals 200 of each B along with the folic acid to assist absorption), a homeopathic influenza remedy that I’ve used for 20 years and found to be very effective if taken prior to developing symptoms (for teachers and healthcare workers I suggest beginning August 1st each year), and all the usual precautionary measures of hygience mentioned previously by my blogging colleagues. Well, NONE of the teachers that used the above mentioned suggestions ever caught the flu and so they continue to this day calling my office in August each year to restock their arsenal. Their colleagues still get the flu shot and still get sick every year. Dah, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there ARE other methods available that are safe and effective without the shot.

You ask, “why the Vitamin B complex?”….because most of us, especially these days, are under unusual pressures from all sources. If we keep our stress level down, we are less likely to contract an illness….common sense again, right?

One other thing I MUST mention. If your daily elimination is not complete or you are literally constipated, you WILL get sick! We must not lose sight of the fact that we can now scientifically validate that most of our immune system is based in our gut…that’s right…our gut! SO, if we do not continualy have regular and complete bowel evacuations, that toxic matter stays in our intestinal tract too long and then begins to distribute toxins systemically.

So, eat plenty of raw veggies daily, drink plenty of water, take a non-habit forming vegetable fiber supplement and evacuate when the urge arises, not when you finish your next article,  phone call or when it can be combined with a trip to the copy machine.

Your Partner in Health,

Dr. Gloria Gilbere (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist. www.gloriagilbere.com Creator of certificated programs for health professionals to become Wholistic Rejuvenists (CWR).

The other day I was feeling stressed and decided to plop down in front of the TV to unwind after work.  In the middle of a show, my sweet cat, “Oatmeal”, jumped on my lap and would not stop bugging me for affection!  At first I was a little annoyed, but I finally turned off the TV and realized that spending a few minutes giving attention to my loving cat was way more relaxing and gratifying than anything the TV could provide.

There are many studies that show that pet owners live longer, more fulfilling lives – and I can see why!  Not only do pets provide love and companionship, but owning a pet can actually help to reduce stress and lower blood pressure, therefore reducing the chance of having a heart attack or heart disease.

When I was looking to get a pet, I decided to rescue instead of buying a purebred.  By adopting Oatmeal, not only did I save her life (we got her at the local pound) but she has greatly improved the quality of mine.  If you are looking to adopt an animal, I highly suggest you check out all of the great animals available to rescue at www.petfinder.org

P.S.  Don’t forget that at Clayton College of Natural Health, you can take a certificate program in Companion Animal Studies!

Prior to coming to work at CCNH, I worked for a large banking corporation.  Every year the bank offered flu vaccine shots for employees.  I usually signed up and received the inoculation. Now that I work for a natural health educational facility and the threat of a flu pandemic is all over the media, I am reminded of some phrases I have heard or read over the years…”if he/she just had an ounce of common sense” and also, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

In listening to reports in the media about the profile of potential victims of H1N1 or Swine flu, I keep hearing of individuals “with underlying health problems” being at high risk.  I think to myself, this is what Clayton College’s mission is all about, teaching people how to be healthy in the first place.  Not providing a place for a germ to find a favorable environment in which to live and or thrive.

This flu season, I am striving to follow some common sense practices – like washing my hands often, while sometimes silently singing (if someone is around) “Old MacDonald had a farm”, one verse and refrain, to make sure I wash my hands sufficiently.  I cough into my elbow.  I avoid shaking hands or touching people, who may be unhealthy.  I don’t touch my nose or mouth when I am out and about.  I grab the bottom of big store door handles, or simply push with my body and don’t touch the door.  I am avoiding ATM machines and push an elevator button with my knuckle and not the tip of my finger.  I avoid “pick up” foods while out.  I continue to eat healthy foods that may offer preventative properties or help fight infections.

I feel in my three years at CCNH, my health and my immunity has improved.  (Superstitiously knocking on wood now) I have not had a cold/flu or missed a day at school for illness since coming to work here and following what I’m learning from our faculty instructors and courses.  I think I show at least an ounce of common sense and I believe that converts to an ounce of prevention leading to a pound of cure.

I hope you stay healthy, too!

I had the opportunity to represent Clayton College of Natural Health at our booth at Expo East in Boston recently (9/24 – 9/26) – what an exciting and busy few days!  Our Chief Academic Officer Teresa Nichols was there, along with our Director of Marketing Judy Williams. This was Teresa’s first trade show, and she just soaked up all the excitement and enthusiasm!  Expo East is a Natural Products industry show for retailers, and it was wonderful to see all of the various vendors and have the opportunity to learn about many different products.  We saw all kinds of all-natural, holistic items, and the theme was definitely organic and “going green.”  There were hundreds of food and drink products, waters, teas, soaps and lotions, supplements, homeopathic remedies, flower essences, clothes and jewelry, cleaning supplies, magazines, current books…and on and on.

Teresa and Judy and I met so many wonderful people at our booth and as we walked the floor to check out products.  I loved going up to a booth and asking someone, “So what is unique and special about your product?”  It was nice to hear the enthusiasm in their voice as they’d explain quickly the key points, and often you were offered a small sample if it was a food or drink product – yum!

I loved the opportunity to tell people who stopped by our booth about all the exciting changes we’re creating with CCNH!  We also had the pleasure of having Elson Haas, M.D., do a book-signing at the booth on Friday afternoon – 30 copies of his book  (The New Detox Diet) were given away, and Dr. Haas signed each one for the recipient and chatted with them for a few minutes – that hour sped by!

This experience’s excitement will last for months, and is a great reminder of how many individuals and companies are working together to make things better for all involved!

If you’d like to see a list of the vendors present at Expo East, and/or Expo’s Green Efforts, see http://www.expoeast.com

Planting the seed.

As an active member of my neighborhood association, I recently volunteered to write a short health related column for the neighborhood association newsletter. Getting involved with your neighborhood association is not only a good way to stay involved in your community, but also provides a wonderful venue for sharing information and tips gained through your Clayton College of Natural Health education. The following is the information I recently shared regarding the benefits of fall outdoor activities and staying in touch with neighbors.

Outdoor activities present wonderful ways to maintain your health and get to know your neighbors. In the fall, the days get shorter and the weather cooler, but there are still plenty of opportunities to spend time in the yard. Raking leaves may seem like a burdensome chore for most, but it provides a good source of moderate exercise equivalent to taking a brisk walk. It can seem less like a chore when you stop to wave or talk to neighbors as they walk down the street or come and go from their homes. Fall is also the perfect time to prepare your garden for next year. Clearing old growth and leaves from flower beds, pulling weeds, and turning the soil will help rid your bed of pests and help prepare it for the spring planting season.  These activities, which involve squatting and detailed hand movements, are especially beneficial for seniors because they improve mobility and hand-eye coordination. Building a raised garden bed is another good activity for fall. A few two by fours, a hammer and nails, and organic soil is all you need for this family project. Planning, construction, and anticipating the seeds you will plant in the spring exercise the mind and body. Your neighbors may be so impressed with your design, they may want to build raised beds too, and after the spring planting, you may soon find yourselves swapping vegetables across the fence line.  Enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and fellowship that fall gardening work has to offer. Be a healthy neighbor!

Remember, when sharing information with a broad group of people such as a neighborhood association, it is important to start by keeping the information basic so that everyone, at any age or education level, can easily understand.  Getting involved with a neighborhood association can help you stay active in your community, provide a great venue for practicing public speaking, and provide publishing opportunities. Stay involved and seek opportunities to share your education!

Many people have made the decision to become vegetarian for the health benefits a vegetarian diet offers, including lower risk of cancer and heart disease. However, more and more people are choosing a vegetarian lifestyle because it’s healthier for the planet. VegetarianTimes.com (Go Veg, 2007) reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states chemical and animal waste runoff from industrial farms has polluted more than 173,000 miles of rivers and streams. (1984) This runoff is one of the greatest threats to water quality, which affects us all. Animal agriculture also uses a great deal of water. One pound of beef uses about 2,500 gallons of water, compared to 250 gallons for a pound of soy, and only 25 gallons for a pound of wheat. (Hackett, n.d.)

In addition, more than 1/3 of the fossil fuels produced in the United States are used in animal agriculture! (Hackett, n.d.) According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the production of one calorie of animal protein requires more than ten times the fossil fuel input as a calorie of plant protein, which means ten times the amount of carbon dioxide is emitted as well. (Hackett) In fact, adopting a vegan diet would actually do more to reduce your carbon footprint than driving a hybrid car! The New Scientist found that driving a hybrid car reduces one’s emissions on average about a ton of carbon dioxide annually, while a vegan diet reduces annual emissions 1 ½ tons over the standard American diet. (2005)

A diet high in meat is also associated with the depletion of the rain forest. The United States imports hundreds of millions of pounds of beef from Central America, a region whose natural habitat is rich in dense rain forests. 3 However, given Americans’ voracious appetite for beef, farmers in the region have resorted to clear-cutting the rain forest in order to make way for grazing lands. According to a study by the Smithsonian, a land area the size of seven football fields is clear cut every minute of every day in the Amazon basin. (2002)

Although a strictly vegetarian diet does not appeal to most Americans, the benefits of adding more vegetarian meals to one’s diet are enormous – both on a personal and global level. Just think what the impact would be if each American replaced one meat meal with a vegetarian meal every day? If you’ve ever considered a vegetarian lifestyle, perhaps “Vegetarian Awareness Month” is the time to give it a try! For recipe ideas, visit the Holistic Home, and you can test your knowledge with our Health Quiz, which is chock full of vegetarian information.

References
(2005). It’s better to green your diet than your car. New Scientist. Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18825304.800
(1984). Report to Congress: Nonpoint Source Pollution in the US Office of Water Program Operations, Water Planning Division. In (Ed.), (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Washington, D.C.
(2002). Smithsonian Researchers Show Amazonian Deforestation Accelerating. Science Daily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/01/020115075118.htm
Hackett, J. (n.d.). How does meat consumption contribute to rainforest depletion?. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/f/forestclearcut.htm
Hackett, J. (n.d.). What does eating meat have to do with fossil fuels?. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/f/fossilfuels.htm
Why Go Veg?. (2007). Vegetarian Times. Retrieved from http://www.vegetariantimes.com/resources/why_go_veg/

Ellen Tart Jensen

Iris Analysis or iridology has been used as a powerful tool to help practitioners and physicians to understand the genetic strengths and genetic deficiencies of the body for centuries.  Some of the first recorded evidence we have of its use dates back 1000 B.C. when it was practiced by the Chaldeans.  Studies of the eyes were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, the Egyptian boy king who lived in the 1400 B.C.  Even Hippocrates of Greece, born in 460 B.C. and known as the “Father of Medicine” observed the eyes of his patients looking for clues about their health.  Credit for the official discovery of iridology was given to Ignatz von Peczely, a medical doctor of Budapest, Hungary who drew the first iris diagrams of areas in the iris that corresponded with areas of the body through reflex response.  Dr. von Peczely observed thousands of irises through a low powered magnifying glass.  After seeing hundreds of patients who all had heart disease and all had a similar marking at 3:00 in the left iris, he drew a map of it determining that this was the area of the iris to observe deviations in tissue that related to deficiencies in the heart.  Similarly, he mapped out the iris chart of many of the other body organ and glandular areas.   Today, we have high powered microscopes and digital cameras that take much more accurate photographs of the iris.  These photographs can now be e-mailed immediately around the world to brilliant scientists and iridologists for quick evaluation and corroboration.  Because of modern technology, more research in iridology is taking place today than has ever been recorded.

So what is iridology?  Iridology is the study of the color and structure of the iris of the eye as they relate through reflex responses to the strengths and deficiencies of the body systems.  The iris is the colored section of the eye that surrounds the pupil.  Under high powered magnification, the iridologist can see specific markings that all have a meaning to the health of that person.  The iris is one of the finest places to see genetic or inherited weaknesses before the actual problem ever occurs.  For example, if we see a little hole in the fabric of the iris in an organ area, we call this a lacuna or an inherited predisposition.  I have photographed the irises of five generations, beginning with the great great grandmother who was in a rest home all the way down to the great great grandchild.  It was amazing to observe that in that particular family, they all had markings in the pancreas region of the iris showing potential genetic pancreas disorders that had already caused diabetes and hypoglycemia in some of the parents and grandparents.  Even the little children had this marking in the pancreas area and were already craving sweets.  By looking in the irises of the parents and the children, we can counsel the parents on the areas the children need to take particular care of.  If a child inherits a tendency for a pancreas weakness, they should be guided to stay away from refined white sugar and white flour that turns to sugar in the body.  They should be given natural treats such as dried fruits or carob candy sweetened with agave or stevia in place of sugary candy bars.  Small healthy snacks provided throughout the day such as almonds, walnuts, celery sticks with almond butter, or apples will often help these children to prevent diabetes like their parents or grandparents have.

In addition to the structural markings in the iris, we also look at the color.  Often pigments appear in the iris showing predispositions.  Brown pigments relate to liver imbalances, orange pigments to pancreas disorders, fluorescent orange to gallbladder weaknesses, and yellow to kidney deficiencies.  The overall iris color is very important also.  Iridologists have found after questioning thousands of blue eyed individuals that genetically they tend to suffer from lymphatic congestion including excess mucus in the sinuses and lungs, and aching in the joints.  Dark brown eyed people tend toward blood anomalies such as anemia, thick blood, or thin blood.  A person can also inherit a mixture of the blue and brown iris pigment and this is called the mixed eye by iridologists.  These people tend to have liver/gallbladder and digestive complaints.  So if we know these things about a person, we can counsel them better on the foods that are best for their particular genetic constitution.  Holistic nutrition is always a key to helping anyone improve their health.

For more information on this exciting form of analysis called iridology, read Through the Eyes of the Masters, A History of Iridology, by Ellen Tart-Jensen, PhD, DSc, visit www.bernardjensen.com, or study the iridology courses provided by Clayton College of Natural Health (CCNH).