Every day, I thank the universe that I am able to make a
living through applying the combination of some of my passions:
1. Researching, learning, and presenting what I learn in the
field of integrative, conventional, and holistic medicine
2. Making a difference in people’s lives.
I take joy with sharing my latest findings with my current and upcoming
established clients, as they work toward more vibrant, healthy, and joyous
lives.
3. Fulfilling my mission to shift the current fear based perception in health
to a proactive approach, which is not exclusive in modalities, but integrative
in approaches. This model is based on taking action toward health vs. running
from fear of disease and death.
The emphasis is based on understanding and working with the body’s innate
healing potential while shining a cautionary light on the current reactionary
health care model.
Currently, I am enjoying my weekly office day of catching up
on health podcasts and webinars, writing, and researching upcoming clients’
paperwork. (Dr. Gonzalez and HayHouse radio play in the background discussing
the topics of enzyme therapy, organic foods, integrative therapies, and living
a life of passion!).
Chart work is probably the most exciting and most exhaustive process for me. I
love this time to really dig into the biochemistry and mechanisms behind
various disease manifestations and focusing on integrative approaches to
support and reinvigorate the body out of pathology and into higher functioning.
The exhaustion sets in when my research mind gets engrossed in to the
functional medicine model of mechanism. I can get caught up for hours as my
brain digs deeper and deeper into the genetic, biochemical, and individualized
variances in the causes and progression of the process in the body!
The good news is every day is different and I am rewarded away from a replay of
the movie Groundhog Day, as two people with the same “diagnostic
label” could require two very different wellness plans. The challenge
comes with pulling myself away from PubMed and cyberspace into real life.
I love you readers who follow us here at Living Well!
I hope that this blog provides a glimpse into all the good news about the
latest updates and findings on the efficacy of holistic and natural methods.
I also hope it provides the consumer with more informed decision making! In the
health industry, a caution is warranted as all other industries that are driven
by profit.
Therefore, I do not think it is wise to blindly apply any modality, natural or
pharmaceutical, to alleviate any symptom for long-term without digging into the
cause of the problem.
Last week, I blogged on brain health.
Continuing on this topic, here’s a highlight in this area:
Niacin for ADHD, Schizophrenia,
Alcoholism, and Depression
- Reliance on denatured processed foods may be leading to
widespread nutritional imbalances, some of which have a marked influence
on psychiatric health, such as niacin - Pellagra is a disorder caused by niacin deficiency,
which includes mental symptoms such as irrational anger, feelings of
persecution, mania, and dementia - Research begun in the 1950’s has shown high-dose niacin
supplementation to be a very effective treatment option for mental
illnesses such as schizophrenia. In studies using 3,000 milligrams of
niacin a day, an astounding 80 percent of schizophrenia cases were
resolved - Studies have also confirmed the B vitamin can
successfully treat attention deficit disorder, general psychosis,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and violent behavior - High doses of vitamin B3 (niacin) may also combat
hard-to-treat superbugs, including antibiotic-resistance staph infections.
The research showed high doses of the vitamin boosted the immune system
1,000 fold, effectively killing off the harmful bugs
Source: Mercola, J. Could Chronic
Niacin Deficiency Be a Root Cause of Increase in “Deranged” Violent
Crimes? October 21, 2012. Mercola.com.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/10/21/pellagra-causes-violent-crimes.aspx?e_cid=20121021_SNL_Art_1
Let’s use the above as an example of one of the frustrations
I encounter when I spend hours pouring over individualized plans to treat the
cause and others treat only the symptoms:
1. For those with a deficiency in niacin, why use a strong medication with side
effect or apply high dose of another vitamin which doesn’t address the issue?
If you need niacin is someone making sure that high doses aren’t creating a
deficiency and imbalance in another vitamin?
2. For those whose issue is more than a niacin deficiency, or the underlying
cause of this B-vitamin deficiency isn’t treated (such as chronic inflammation,
blood sugar deregulation, toxicity), ultimately, the results will only be short
term without addressing the whole picture.
This is why I feel the investment in treating the cause in the first place is
ultimately a time and cost saving method vs. the long-term chase and money and
time spent in disappointing results of symptom suppressing. Sure, relief may be
felt, but is the cause addressed? Is health restored or is yet another cry for
attention for the body suppressed?
