One time my mom asked me, "If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump off too?"
My eyes bulged and heart raced with excitement, "Really? Where? How high is it? Is there water under the bridge, or maybe just one of those trampoline things?"
Mom tried changing her question to jumping off a cliff but quickly dubbed me hopeless, chalking it up to my Ambrosius genetics. If any inkling of doubt remained in my mother's mind, it was permanently squelched a few years later when she watched me jump off a bridge by moonlight in Los Angeles. This was back when few people had heard of bungee jumping, and my friends purchased their heavy duty bungee cords under the guise of chiropractic students designing exercise equipment.
Just as I knew many years ago that jumping off that bridge with my friends would be an unforgettable, life enriching experience, I also knew that what I experienced with my own health was not a normal part of aging. I believe intuitively we all know what ails us, and the path we must take to find healing. When we follow the healthiest path, life becomes easy. But sometimes we make poor diet choices, or choose not to exercise. Sometimes we choose to live in stressful situations, because we stop believing it is possible to live healthier.
It is easy to believe that minor health problems like weight gain, memory loss, or muscle and joint pains are simply the result of getting older. Since there is no drug or surgery to cure such maladies your doctor will often declare you well even when you do not feel well at all. I used to be one of those doctors who wanted an answer to every question, who wanted to label every complaint with a disease.
It took me years to realize that a + b does not always equal c. I would see two patients who presented exactly the same. I treated the two patients exactly the same. One would get better quickly, and the other did not get better at all. In school I learned that a specific bacteria or virus would cause a specific disease. I learned in life that just because a person is exposed to a specific virus or bacteria does not mean they will develop the disease. Why are some babies born to HIV positive mothers HIV positive and others are not? Why do some people have severe reactions to immunizations or medications and others do not?
Throughout my practice I have encountered many patients who have been healed of many deadly diseases from hepatitis to cancer with a list of what most doctors would consider obvious placebos. Be it the power of prayer, a diet, an herb, magnets, some type of laser or ozone machine; the one thing all these patients had in common was that they knew they would be healed.
I am grateful to the many patients I have had who have opened my mind to all the possibilities. I hope that I never give up looking for that next adventure, cure, or life enriching experience because that is what truly cures us all.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
A hundred years ago obesity, cancer, or depression didn't run rampant through society. A hundred years ago people didn't suffer with allergies, and nobody had ever heard of autoimmune diseases. For years people argued that this was because such things just weren't diagnosed, but you must have your head in the sand if you aren't noticing that more and more people are aching all over and being diagnosed with all sorts of weird diseases.
So let's take a look at history and see how we got to where we are today....
A hundred years ago people were dying of syphilis, of typhoid, of numerous infectious diseases. Then along came antibiotics, and people not longer had to die when they got sick. The American philosophy that if a little was good more had to be better was alive and well, people started taking antibiotics not just to save their lives but because they thought they might be coming down with a cold and didn't want to miss work; because they were going to have surgery and maybe possibly taking an antibiotic would prevent the rare post surgical infection. In the late 1980's doctors started warning people that the overuse of antibiotics would lead to antibiotic resistant strains, and increased susceptibility to infections. Then along comes a normally benign bacteria like E. Coli (many others) in one of these resistant strains, and starts killing people. Stronger antibiotics are created, people start using antibiotic gels and sprays on everything, and the warnings of overuse are forgotten. Today not only are antibiotics routinely overperscribed (because let's face it no doctor wants to be sued because it was some new strain of bacteria that they did nothing for), but antibiotics are being pumped into the cows, pigs, and chickens you eat.
A hundred years ago people died of and were crippled by polio. Then along came immunizations that eradicated such diseases. These were deadly diseases, and our world has become a much safer place because of immunizations. But I have to wonder about our society's belief that if a little is good, a lot is better. Twenty years ago when I first heard anti-immunization people claiming that multiple sclerosis and many diseases never existed before immunizations, I thought they were crazy. And although I am not 100% against immunizations, I no longer think they are crazy.
What I do believe is that if we do not use our muscles: we become weak; if we do not use our brains: our brains do not function as well; so it seems only logical that if we do not use our immune system, that it will no longer function as it is intended to either. Antibiotics and immunizations both cause our immune system to work in an unnatural way. Yes, this can save lives but at what cost? Open your eyes to all the new diseases; diseases that are becoming more prevalent in our children.
Then we take an already weak body and bombard it with chemical stressors. A hundred years ago we didn't have heavy metals, hormones, BPA, chlorine, and an entire slew of toxins in our drinking water. A hundred years ago we didn't have shampoos, lotions, and soaps made of chemicals we couldn't pronounce and unknowingly infused with hormones. A hundred years ago we didn't genetically modify foods, pesticides, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, sucralose, and an entire list of chemically engineered 'foods'. What happens? Look around, and if you want to see a better world start with your own.
"We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible" - George Santayana
So let's take a look at history and see how we got to where we are today....
A hundred years ago people were dying of syphilis, of typhoid, of numerous infectious diseases. Then along came antibiotics, and people not longer had to die when they got sick. The American philosophy that if a little was good more had to be better was alive and well, people started taking antibiotics not just to save their lives but because they thought they might be coming down with a cold and didn't want to miss work; because they were going to have surgery and maybe possibly taking an antibiotic would prevent the rare post surgical infection. In the late 1980's doctors started warning people that the overuse of antibiotics would lead to antibiotic resistant strains, and increased susceptibility to infections. Then along comes a normally benign bacteria like E. Coli (many others) in one of these resistant strains, and starts killing people. Stronger antibiotics are created, people start using antibiotic gels and sprays on everything, and the warnings of overuse are forgotten. Today not only are antibiotics routinely overperscribed (because let's face it no doctor wants to be sued because it was some new strain of bacteria that they did nothing for), but antibiotics are being pumped into the cows, pigs, and chickens you eat.
A hundred years ago people died of and were crippled by polio. Then along came immunizations that eradicated such diseases. These were deadly diseases, and our world has become a much safer place because of immunizations. But I have to wonder about our society's belief that if a little is good, a lot is better. Twenty years ago when I first heard anti-immunization people claiming that multiple sclerosis and many diseases never existed before immunizations, I thought they were crazy. And although I am not 100% against immunizations, I no longer think they are crazy.
What I do believe is that if we do not use our muscles: we become weak; if we do not use our brains: our brains do not function as well; so it seems only logical that if we do not use our immune system, that it will no longer function as it is intended to either. Antibiotics and immunizations both cause our immune system to work in an unnatural way. Yes, this can save lives but at what cost? Open your eyes to all the new diseases; diseases that are becoming more prevalent in our children.
Then we take an already weak body and bombard it with chemical stressors. A hundred years ago we didn't have heavy metals, hormones, BPA, chlorine, and an entire slew of toxins in our drinking water. A hundred years ago we didn't have shampoos, lotions, and soaps made of chemicals we couldn't pronounce and unknowingly infused with hormones. A hundred years ago we didn't genetically modify foods, pesticides, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, sucralose, and an entire list of chemically engineered 'foods'. What happens? Look around, and if you want to see a better world start with your own.
"We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible" - George Santayana
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Treating Autoimmune Disease
Most medical doctors treat autoimmune disease by monitoring your symptoms, sometimes giving prescriptions to mask your symptoms, and then if your symptoms become so unbearable that it becomes difficult to perform daily tasks because of them - they will prescribe medication to suppress your immune system. The most common drug prescribed is prednisone which can cause weight gain, indigestion, insomnia, mood swings, easy bruising, diabetes, osteoporosis, glaucoma, cataracts...... well let's just say all doctors know this and that's part of the reason steroid drugs are not used sooner. There are many new immunosuppresant drugs out, maybe fewer side effects but according to my patients not usually as effective at relieving symptoms. And with some autoimmune disorders like Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis, or Grave's steroid drugs are not used at all regardless of your symptoms.
The best treatment is prevention: if you have an autoimmune disease and you have a child start before they develop a disease because once symptoms start it is much more difficult to manage. How does the saying go.... an ounce of prevention...
If you have any type of autoimmune disease, the best treatment is strengthening your immune system.
1) 80% of your immune system is in your gut, so if your gut is not functioning properly your autoimmune disease will be MUCH worse. It amazes me what people think is normal, so let me tell you that if you ever have to take an antacid, have any stomach pain, gas, bloating, and have more than two or less than one bowel movement a day.....this is not "normal".
ESSENTIAL: Rule out celiac disease - the two best ways to do this are with an elimination diet, and/or with a complete stool and genotype analysis that can be ordered through http://www.enterolab.com/ (Surgical biopsy is standard protocol if you want to go through that) Personally I would recommend every autoimmune person to go gluten free, but due to reluctance from patients I recommend this test for anyone who refuses to go gluten free.
I can also order tests to determine fungal/bacterial balance and rule out parasites.
Avoiding food sensitivities is essential. The best way to determine your sensitivities is through an elimination diet as the blood tests are often inaccurate if you have autoimmune disease because they are dependent on a properly functioning immune system.
2) Avoid all processed sugar as it will always weaken your immune system.
3) Exercise in your aerobic range at least 30 minutes/5 times a week. It is very important to monitor your heart rate because too intense of a work out can also put stress on your immune system. Some autoimmune diseases are associated with increased heart rates already and it does not take much to get to an aerobic heart rate level.
4) Get plenty of fluids and rest.
5) Avoid stress, avoid known stressors to your body - most people know what their own stressors are like cold, work, etc.
Anything you do to help strengthen your immune system, will help: Herbal and nutritional support, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and much more. It is important to note that most people I see with autoimmune disease will discover a "miraculous cure" only to have their symptoms recur a week, a month, or days later. This is most likely due to your immune system shifting back and forth between a TH1 and TH2 immune pattern. Don't give up, because you will shift back and that "cure" may work again.
When it comes to specific nutritional recommendations I prefer to talk to a patient directly, but hope this starts you on your journey.
The best treatment is prevention: if you have an autoimmune disease and you have a child start before they develop a disease because once symptoms start it is much more difficult to manage. How does the saying go.... an ounce of prevention...
If you have any type of autoimmune disease, the best treatment is strengthening your immune system.
1) 80% of your immune system is in your gut, so if your gut is not functioning properly your autoimmune disease will be MUCH worse. It amazes me what people think is normal, so let me tell you that if you ever have to take an antacid, have any stomach pain, gas, bloating, and have more than two or less than one bowel movement a day.....this is not "normal".
ESSENTIAL: Rule out celiac disease - the two best ways to do this are with an elimination diet, and/or with a complete stool and genotype analysis that can be ordered through http://www.enterolab.com/ (Surgical biopsy is standard protocol if you want to go through that) Personally I would recommend every autoimmune person to go gluten free, but due to reluctance from patients I recommend this test for anyone who refuses to go gluten free.
I can also order tests to determine fungal/bacterial balance and rule out parasites.
Avoiding food sensitivities is essential. The best way to determine your sensitivities is through an elimination diet as the blood tests are often inaccurate if you have autoimmune disease because they are dependent on a properly functioning immune system.
2) Avoid all processed sugar as it will always weaken your immune system.
3) Exercise in your aerobic range at least 30 minutes/5 times a week. It is very important to monitor your heart rate because too intense of a work out can also put stress on your immune system. Some autoimmune diseases are associated with increased heart rates already and it does not take much to get to an aerobic heart rate level.
4) Get plenty of fluids and rest.
5) Avoid stress, avoid known stressors to your body - most people know what their own stressors are like cold, work, etc.
Anything you do to help strengthen your immune system, will help: Herbal and nutritional support, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and much more. It is important to note that most people I see with autoimmune disease will discover a "miraculous cure" only to have their symptoms recur a week, a month, or days later. This is most likely due to your immune system shifting back and forth between a TH1 and TH2 immune pattern. Don't give up, because you will shift back and that "cure" may work again.
When it comes to specific nutritional recommendations I prefer to talk to a patient directly, but hope this starts you on your journey.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Autoimmunity......
Simply put, is when your immune system isn't functioning properly.
About ten years ago I had a patient come in and say to me, "I've seen ten kids in my class diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Is that normal?" Of course I closed my eyes and ears to what she was seeing back then because any good doctor could tell you that statistically ten out of fifty kids being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was either a misdiagnosis or a total fluke. Even today sites on the internet state that only 1 out of 31 people have an autoimmune disease. Of course my eyes and ears are a little more open today.
It seems the more I open my eyes the more autoimmune disorders I am seeing, but maybe that is because the list of diseases classified as autoimmune is growing. Diseases once thought to be strictly genetic like Diabetes Type 1 are now considered autoimmune because there have been specific antibodies identified with the disease. The list of other autoimmune diseases includes things like most cases of hypothyroidism in America (Hoshimoto's), lupus, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Guillian Barre Syndrome, of course rheumatoid arthritis, and many, many more. There are many people who believe autism is an autoimmune disorder.
One reason many believe autism is an autoimmune disorder is that most people with autism have been diagnosed or present with symptoms of other autoimmune disorders. If you have been diagnosed with one type of autoimmune disease, it is very likely you will develop another as well. Children of parents with autoimmune diseases almost always develop autoimmune diseases (not always the same one as their parent) at an earlier age.
Just a few of the many symptoms associated with autoimmune disease are fatigue, muscle soreness, sensitivity to chemicals, rashes of unknown orgins, brain fog, food sensitivities, hair loss, hyperactivity, insomnia, and of course increasing severity of allergies. Of course these can be signs of a lot of disorders, so if you have some or all of these problems the best thing to do is start with some bloodwork and a complete history. One pattern that newer studies are showing is that people with high HDL levels (especially when your triglicerides and LDL are not significantly elevated) very often have an underlying autoimmune disease.
So think about yourself, your family, and your friends. Do you or does someone you know possibly have an auto immune disease? Am I the only one out there who thinks that 1 in 31 statisic is someone either completely blind AND deaf or completely outdated? (That's a rhetorical question by the way, because I know many people who believe as I do that autoimmune disease is quite common).
NEXT BLOG.....Treating autoimmune disease?
About ten years ago I had a patient come in and say to me, "I've seen ten kids in my class diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Is that normal?" Of course I closed my eyes and ears to what she was seeing back then because any good doctor could tell you that statistically ten out of fifty kids being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was either a misdiagnosis or a total fluke. Even today sites on the internet state that only 1 out of 31 people have an autoimmune disease. Of course my eyes and ears are a little more open today.
It seems the more I open my eyes the more autoimmune disorders I am seeing, but maybe that is because the list of diseases classified as autoimmune is growing. Diseases once thought to be strictly genetic like Diabetes Type 1 are now considered autoimmune because there have been specific antibodies identified with the disease. The list of other autoimmune diseases includes things like most cases of hypothyroidism in America (Hoshimoto's), lupus, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Guillian Barre Syndrome, of course rheumatoid arthritis, and many, many more. There are many people who believe autism is an autoimmune disorder.
One reason many believe autism is an autoimmune disorder is that most people with autism have been diagnosed or present with symptoms of other autoimmune disorders. If you have been diagnosed with one type of autoimmune disease, it is very likely you will develop another as well. Children of parents with autoimmune diseases almost always develop autoimmune diseases (not always the same one as their parent) at an earlier age.
Just a few of the many symptoms associated with autoimmune disease are fatigue, muscle soreness, sensitivity to chemicals, rashes of unknown orgins, brain fog, food sensitivities, hair loss, hyperactivity, insomnia, and of course increasing severity of allergies. Of course these can be signs of a lot of disorders, so if you have some or all of these problems the best thing to do is start with some bloodwork and a complete history. One pattern that newer studies are showing is that people with high HDL levels (especially when your triglicerides and LDL are not significantly elevated) very often have an underlying autoimmune disease.
So think about yourself, your family, and your friends. Do you or does someone you know possibly have an auto immune disease? Am I the only one out there who thinks that 1 in 31 statisic is someone either completely blind AND deaf or completely outdated? (That's a rhetorical question by the way, because I know many people who believe as I do that autoimmune disease is quite common).
NEXT BLOG.....Treating autoimmune disease?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Healty Choices
Sitting down to her 'balanced' breakfast of coke with a piece of pie, my mom laughs when I look and her and say, "When it comes to health, I feel like a born again Christian in a house full of athiests." Then I do my best to resist the temptation of eating pie for breakfast as well.... homemade apple pie.
A lot of people think healthy choices come easy for me, and surely they come easier the healthier my life becomes. I know I feel better when I exercise, rest, and eat well. I see people everyday suffering terribly because they have made unhealthy decisions, and they inspire me to be healthier.
Early in my journey I met a woman, Jo Ellen, who relentlessly encouraged my passion in nutrition. Over the years I have known her I have seen her and the product she sells (Juice Plus) play an insturmental role in improving the lives/health of many people. Not only because Juice Plus is an excellent product, but because of the education and support they offer not only to their customers, but to everyone.
It has been very helpful in my journey to surround myself with people who share my passion for health, and to share my passion with others. I have a long list of friends who encourage me as much or more than I encourage them, by words, by example, and sharing our unique experiences. There is an old saying that goes 'you are the company you keep'.
If you have a spouse who smokes, it is a lot harder to quit. If you are an alcoholic, you probably shouldn't work in a bar. And if you are a sugar addict like me and most Americans..... that pie sure sounds tempting.
NOTE: Sept. 10th, 2010 Gina Carmicheal will be hosting a health talk. If you want to go, or are interested in future events she will be hosting give her a call (512) 773-5300
A lot of people think healthy choices come easy for me, and surely they come easier the healthier my life becomes. I know I feel better when I exercise, rest, and eat well. I see people everyday suffering terribly because they have made unhealthy decisions, and they inspire me to be healthier.
Early in my journey I met a woman, Jo Ellen, who relentlessly encouraged my passion in nutrition. Over the years I have known her I have seen her and the product she sells (Juice Plus) play an insturmental role in improving the lives/health of many people. Not only because Juice Plus is an excellent product, but because of the education and support they offer not only to their customers, but to everyone.
It has been very helpful in my journey to surround myself with people who share my passion for health, and to share my passion with others. I have a long list of friends who encourage me as much or more than I encourage them, by words, by example, and sharing our unique experiences. There is an old saying that goes 'you are the company you keep'.
If you have a spouse who smokes, it is a lot harder to quit. If you are an alcoholic, you probably shouldn't work in a bar. And if you are a sugar addict like me and most Americans..... that pie sure sounds tempting.
NOTE: Sept. 10th, 2010 Gina Carmicheal will be hosting a health talk. If you want to go, or are interested in future events she will be hosting give her a call (512) 773-5300
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Opening my Eyes
Sometimes it feels like I'm swimming out in the ocean and I'm the only one who can hear that music they play in movies that let's you know jaws is coming. I'm screaming "Get out! Get out!" and nobody can hear me....
Seventeen years ago when I started practice I saw very few people under the age of twenty, and when I did they almost always recovered withing a couple treatments. Today children make up a significant part of my practice, and are not responding so quickly. In 1994 the Surgeon General stated that children today are expected to have shorter life splans than their parents, it put a statistic to what I was already seeing. Since that statement twelve years ago, chronic health problems in young people have doubled to one out of every four chilfren. Today as a general rule, my Medicare aged patients are on fewer drugs and suffer fewer complaints than patients twenty years younger.
It surprised me to discover that although it sounded like a shocking epidemic, some people have been trying to convey this message for years. In the 1930's Max Gershon was treating patients with all sorts of ailments with natural and less toxic foods. In 1942 Pottenger published a ten year study on cats that documented progressively deteriorating health with each generation of cats given processed foods (much like what I am seeing today). Even when the processed food was changed back to raw foods, the younger generation did not overcome all of their health problems.
Much like the children I see today in practice, I am at least a second generation cat. I spent much of my childhood riddled with severe headaches, depression, weight loss, fainting spells, and insomnia. I would go to one doctor after the next searching for a solution. I was poked and proded in what felt like everyway possible and told everything was 'normal'. So unlike most people my age in society today who experienced a headache or flu and was cured by a pill, I learned that pills and doctors couldn't fix me.
At thirteen years old I gave up sugars and was counting carbs way before it was a popular thing to do. I felt a lot better physically, but emotionally I wanted to be just like eveyone else - I wanted sugar. I read every book on sugar balance I could get my hands on trying to figure out how to fix me. It was like searching for that perfect outfit and never finding it.
Looking back on my life I can see my path chose me more than I chose it. Every person I have met, each pain and new experience, every path I crossed leading me to where I am today. When I was young I didn't even know what a chiropractor was, I dreamed of becoming a famous writer. Yet I have no doubt that I am exactly wher I am intended to be.
It is easy to find a comfortable place on a path and not feel like moving on. This is usually when I believe God starts sending me subtle messages. One patient after the next came to me complaining of hormone or other pains that they seemed unable to find answers for. It was easy to send them to one doctor and then another. Then one patient after the next returned to tell me their doctor ran one test after the next only to find nothing wrong. It was a story I was all to familiar with, and I still didn't get the message. I had to experience the frustration all over again for myself. While eating 500 to 800 calories a day with a physical job and swimming five to six miles a week, weight was creeping on. I went to my general practioner and then to my OBGYN and everything was "normal????" "Just a part of getting older????"
Many classes and much personal healing later I have discovered what innately I already knew, it was not normal. I believe intuitively we al know what ails us, and the path we must take to find healing. My eyes have been opened to an entirely new world.
Note: In future blogs I will talk more about hormone balance, however if you are interested in what I found to be the best lay book out there on thyroid I would suggest "Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal?" by Datis Kharrazian
Seventeen years ago when I started practice I saw very few people under the age of twenty, and when I did they almost always recovered withing a couple treatments. Today children make up a significant part of my practice, and are not responding so quickly. In 1994 the Surgeon General stated that children today are expected to have shorter life splans than their parents, it put a statistic to what I was already seeing. Since that statement twelve years ago, chronic health problems in young people have doubled to one out of every four chilfren. Today as a general rule, my Medicare aged patients are on fewer drugs and suffer fewer complaints than patients twenty years younger.
It surprised me to discover that although it sounded like a shocking epidemic, some people have been trying to convey this message for years. In the 1930's Max Gershon was treating patients with all sorts of ailments with natural and less toxic foods. In 1942 Pottenger published a ten year study on cats that documented progressively deteriorating health with each generation of cats given processed foods (much like what I am seeing today). Even when the processed food was changed back to raw foods, the younger generation did not overcome all of their health problems.
Much like the children I see today in practice, I am at least a second generation cat. I spent much of my childhood riddled with severe headaches, depression, weight loss, fainting spells, and insomnia. I would go to one doctor after the next searching for a solution. I was poked and proded in what felt like everyway possible and told everything was 'normal'. So unlike most people my age in society today who experienced a headache or flu and was cured by a pill, I learned that pills and doctors couldn't fix me.
At thirteen years old I gave up sugars and was counting carbs way before it was a popular thing to do. I felt a lot better physically, but emotionally I wanted to be just like eveyone else - I wanted sugar. I read every book on sugar balance I could get my hands on trying to figure out how to fix me. It was like searching for that perfect outfit and never finding it.
Looking back on my life I can see my path chose me more than I chose it. Every person I have met, each pain and new experience, every path I crossed leading me to where I am today. When I was young I didn't even know what a chiropractor was, I dreamed of becoming a famous writer. Yet I have no doubt that I am exactly wher I am intended to be.
It is easy to find a comfortable place on a path and not feel like moving on. This is usually when I believe God starts sending me subtle messages. One patient after the next came to me complaining of hormone or other pains that they seemed unable to find answers for. It was easy to send them to one doctor and then another. Then one patient after the next returned to tell me their doctor ran one test after the next only to find nothing wrong. It was a story I was all to familiar with, and I still didn't get the message. I had to experience the frustration all over again for myself. While eating 500 to 800 calories a day with a physical job and swimming five to six miles a week, weight was creeping on. I went to my general practioner and then to my OBGYN and everything was "normal????" "Just a part of getting older????"
Many classes and much personal healing later I have discovered what innately I already knew, it was not normal. I believe intuitively we al know what ails us, and the path we must take to find healing. My eyes have been opened to an entirely new world.
Note: In future blogs I will talk more about hormone balance, however if you are interested in what I found to be the best lay book out there on thyroid I would suggest "Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal?" by Datis Kharrazian
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Sharing my Journey
The frigid water feels like an attack on my entire body as I dive into the pool. My heart races. Gasping for air, I force myself to stay afloat and move forward. At first I struggle, but then somewhere deep inside I feel a voice that soothes me, comforts me, and guides me.
Stoking and flowing smoothly over and around my entire body, the water refreshes me and I feel like a seal at home in my bright blue pool of water. I breathe in and see the sun, the coulds, and birds above. I breathe out into the water below and sunbeams twinkle as if God is winking at me.
I wish all moments in life were so clear but it is easy to forget success is not about money, travel is not about a destination, sex is not about an orgasam, beauty is not about appearance, and health is not just about not being sick. I think we all fall from our intended path or clarity sometimes and it feels a little like swimming through a class V rapid.
Despite living in a world with more resources and information than ever before, everyday I see more people than ever before struggling with their health. I see patients stuggle with unanswered questions and lack of clarity. Often patients seek me out because they wnat to share my clarity. But when I say something like, "your cholesterol is more likely high because of your high sugar consumption than the eggs you had for breakfast", or "getting the flu isn't a bad thing", or "your pain could be due to toxicity issues", I often get a blank stare response that makes me feel like a round peg in the square hole of society.
So here I am standing on the edge of the pool with you trying to figure out how to teach you to swim. I know your kick, your stroke, your breath, and even how the water feels will be different for you than it is for me. Still I hope that the creation of my own blog will help you discover your own clarity, so that we all may be seals in the pool of health.
Stoking and flowing smoothly over and around my entire body, the water refreshes me and I feel like a seal at home in my bright blue pool of water. I breathe in and see the sun, the coulds, and birds above. I breathe out into the water below and sunbeams twinkle as if God is winking at me.
I wish all moments in life were so clear but it is easy to forget success is not about money, travel is not about a destination, sex is not about an orgasam, beauty is not about appearance, and health is not just about not being sick. I think we all fall from our intended path or clarity sometimes and it feels a little like swimming through a class V rapid.
Despite living in a world with more resources and information than ever before, everyday I see more people than ever before struggling with their health. I see patients stuggle with unanswered questions and lack of clarity. Often patients seek me out because they wnat to share my clarity. But when I say something like, "your cholesterol is more likely high because of your high sugar consumption than the eggs you had for breakfast", or "getting the flu isn't a bad thing", or "your pain could be due to toxicity issues", I often get a blank stare response that makes me feel like a round peg in the square hole of society.
So here I am standing on the edge of the pool with you trying to figure out how to teach you to swim. I know your kick, your stroke, your breath, and even how the water feels will be different for you than it is for me. Still I hope that the creation of my own blog will help you discover your own clarity, so that we all may be seals in the pool of health.
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