Raleigh Chiropractor discusses an All Natural Medicine Cabinet

It’s here! The Fall is upon us. Back to School, activites galore, busy work schedule, holidays coming left and right…. runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing, restless nights, exhaustion, basically an all out attack on our immune systems. Children, the elderly, those under stress (basically all of us this time of year), those with poor diets (ever heard of the new years resolution to loose 10 pounds from holiday weight gain?), chronic illness, and those who are exposed to environmental stressors are especially at risk. As we prepare for the school year many of us find ourselves rushing to the pharmacy on the way to don our battle armor of not so effective prescription and over the counter drugs. By the end of the season our medicine cabinets are full of sticky, gooey, and not so attractive shiny bottles, most of which did not work but remain there for now real reason other than the fact that they cost so much money you hate to through them out. Pure insanity…

However, we need not settle for this awful scenario anymore. In addition to a better diet, incorporating stress identification and releasing tools, and incorporating physical activity, the solution is simple: the use of nutritional and herbal supplements is the key. These holistic items help reduce the risk of infection and illness, and the help us get over an illness much faster as well, without pumping our body full of pink and purple synthetic liquids and pills which are usually full of toxic additives. Nevertheless, even when using herbal and whole food nutritional supplements it is still very important to receive quality assurance of the product(s). Herbal manufacturing under pharmaceutical standards is essential. Currently the issues involved in herbal manufacture are more complex than those for conventional drugs because an herb is biologically defined and there are no internationally recognized standards. Because of this these supplements may be incorrectly identified, the wrong part of the plant may be used, the chemical content may vary, active compounds may be unknown, processing may enhance or detract from the quality of the product, the stability of the product may be difficult to define, and the quality is difficult to define. For these reasons we (Center for Chiropractic & Wellness) use supplements from Standard Process Inc. ONLY due to their long history of quality assurance and superb product lines. Below is a list of supplements from Standard Process that make up an effective and useful all Natural Medicine Cabinet (Click on each name to see official Standard Process website info on each product):

Echinacea*

Echinacea is the “KING of Prevention Herbs.” It works best as a preventative, or in the very early stages of a cold or sickness. It can be taken long term or only during the cold/flu season depending on your typical state of health. Echinacea is proven to incrase the phagocytic activity of the body. This means that better direct clearance and inactivation of pathogenic organisms by the first line of defense (phagocytes) occurs, and that there is a beter immune surveillance which accelerates the response of he immune system to the new pathogen, or to other opportunistic pathogens.

Catalyn**

Catalyn is a multiple vitamin, mineral, and trace mineral concentrate formulated by Dr. Royal Lee in 1929. Catalyn is the antithesis of the "mega-dose" approach to nutritional supplementation. Dr. Lee summoned the whole of his considerable nutritional experience and know-how to provide a nutritional catalyst, a supplement using whole food ingredients, which he named Catalyn. The goal was to provide a food-based package of nutrients in the most potent and bioavailable form–its natural state. This supplement is the best multivitamin on the market in my opinion due to its whole food all natural approach; an approach that allows for optimal absorption unlike synthetic vitamins.

Andrographis Complex

Andrographis is anthelmintic, boosts the immune system, and is hepatoprotective. The herbs in this supplement (including Holy Basil) also support mucus flow, enhance the hody’s response to temporary stress, and may have value as an agent to prevent chemical-induced cancer!

Congaplex

Congaplex contains thymus Cytosol™ extract and helps support the healthy function of the upper respiratory tract. The thymus gland is considered the master gland that regulates the immune system. Cytosol™ extracts from the thymus gland contain the building blocks of the powerful thymic hormone, which supports and stimulates the immune system. This supplement contains nutrients and tissue extracts that contribute to the healthy response of the immune system.

Herbal Throat Spray:
Herbal Mouthwashes have been used for centuries to support oral health and maintain healthy mucosal tissue in the mouth and throat. SP Herbal Throat Spray offers the same benefits as a mouthwash but the convenient spray pump allows for easy use and application, which is important when regular support during the day is needed. Remember to swallow because the herbs also exert their effects internally!

Immuplex

Immuplex combines vitamins A, B12, C, and E, folic acid, and minerals, such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and selenium. Immuplex contains bovine thymus, liver, and spleen tissue extracts–nutrients and tissues well known for their important roles in immune system health and function.

Broncafect

Broncafect contains herbs to provide the following activities: It sooths and heals inflamed bronchial mucosa. It acts as an expectorant, facilitating the removal of sputum (a substance such as saliva, phlegm, or mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract and usually ejected by mouth). It is anti-infective whilst enhancing immune function, and managing fever through diaphoresis (sweating, especially sweating induced for medical reasons). It relaxes bronchial spasms, and it stimulates circulation to relieve congestion.

Golden Seal:

Golden Seal was used for many purposes by Native Americans, and was specifically indicated by Eclectic Physicians for catarrhal states of the mucous membranes. This supplement acts as an antihemorrhagic, bitter, anti-inflammatory, depurative, wound healing, and promoter of bile flow. Basically, Golden Seal assists in maintenance of healthy breathing passages for free and clear breathing as well as healthy mucous membranes.

*Take Echinacea during cold/flu season

**Take Catalyn all year long

Once you have these all-natural and reliable whole food and herbal supplements on hand at home you will have the ideal army to attack against the following symptoms. Use the following protocols in conjunction with lots of water (for cleansing), Rest, and Chicken soup or Broth (for warmth, nutrition, and fluids). *Doses are available unless otherwise prescribed by your healthcare provider:

For Basic Prevention:

Echinacea

1 tablet/day for children
2 tablets/day for adults

Catalyn

1 tablet 2-3x/day for children

2 tablets 2-3x/day for adultes

Immuplex

2 capsules 3x/day for 30 days then use at first sign of cold/flu illness

For Acute Infection:

Andrographis Complex:

1 tablet 2-3x/day for children

2 tablets 2-3x/day for adults

TAKE FOR 7-14 DAYS

For Upper Respiratory Congestion/Infection:

Congaplex

3 capsules 3-4x/day for adults

1-2 chewable tablets 3x/day for children

Broncafect:

2 tablets 3-4x/day for adult

TAKE FOR 7-14 DAYS

For Sinus Infections:

Andrographis Complex

1-2 tablet 2-3x/day adults

TAKE FOR 7-14 DAYS

Golden Seal

Same as above

For Sore or Scratchy Throat:

MediHerb Throat Spray:

2-3 Sprays 3 or moreX/day

Remember…the sooner you start to use the supplements the faster you’ll respond and get better! For other symptoms and conditions, consult with your healthcare practitioner. If you have a sustained high fever over 24 hours, consult this person as well. Remember, Every BODY is different. Your body may respond to varying doses of these supplements better, or to other supplements altogether. It is always best to consult your chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, or other holistic health care provider in event of illness. That being said, it is still a good idea to be armed with natural preventative and acute remedies.

Raleigh Chiropractor discusses an All Natural Medicine Cabinet

Does Chiropractic Reduce Health Care Costs?

"Findings from the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield 2008 Physical Medicine Pilot on Quality, a one-year pilot program designed to measure patient quality of care, suggest significant clinical outcomes and health care cost reductions attributable to the use of chiropractic and other physical medicine services...." Read more by clicking here

Does Chiropractic Reduce Health Care Costs?

Time For Lunch: National Day of Action

As a follow up to the previous post on school lunches and creating awareness i'd like to bring light to the Slow Food USA's Time for Lunch campaign...

When the Time for Lunch campaign launched in June, Slow Food's Goal was to organize 100 Eat-Ins for the National Day of Action on September 7. Within a month, Slow Food chapters nationwide had stepped up and surpassed that goal, so we doubled it to 200 Eat-Ins. If you check the Eat-In map on our campaign web site, you’ll see that enough new organizers and partner organizations have joined the campaign that we’ve now passed our 200 Eat-In goal and are still steamrolling forward. The people who are organizing their communities for this campaign represent a real movement for change. They deserve thanks and your support.

What can you do to get involved?

#1 Sign the petition to give kids real food at school.
#2 Spread the word. Send friends an email about the campaign, share it on Facebook, Twitter or write about it to your blog.
#3 Contact Your Legislature
#4 Organize an Eat-In. It’s not too late: gather friends, family, neighbors and colleagues for a Labor Day potluck, take a photo (the more creative, the better) and send it to us on Sept. 7 to show your support.

What is Real Food?
Real food is good at every link in the chain. It tastes good, it’s good for us, it’s good for the people who grow it, it’s good for our country and it’s good for the planet.

What is an Eat-In?
An Eat-In is a potluck. Eat-Ins bring people together to share a meal and show their support for a cause like getting real food into schools.

As always, I encourage you to be proactive for your health, your wellness, and YOUR life! Live it well, not complacently.

Time For Lunch: National Day of Action

Reinventing the School Lunch- Ann Cooper

Back to School means school lunches for many people. Whether choosing government subsidized or privately funded school lunches for cost, convenience, or sheer habits sake many children are often left with low quality and low nutrient dense food as their sole source of sustanance throughout the day. Studies have shown that a diet of this low caliber can result in food allergies, learning disabilites, behavioral problems and much more.

So other, than meticulously pack your child's lunch with the hope that they aren't tossing their organic carrot sticks for the cafeterias cheese pizza what is a mom or dad to do?

Cafeteria reform is not an urban myth. Parents can do something about what schools feed their children. Proof is in the "pudding" so to speak...Just ask this Chef...

"Chef Ann Cooper is a renegade lunch lady. She works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students — one school lunch at a time.

At The Ross School in East Hampton, NY, Chef Ann served as the executive chef and director of wellness and nutrition, developing an integrated school lunch curriculum centered on regional, organic, seasonal and sustainable meals. The implementation of her pilot wellness program proved successful, and Chef Ann was invited to work with schools across the country. She has transformed public school cafeterias in New York City, Harlem and Bridgehampton, NY, and now in Berkeley, CA, to teach more students why good food choices matter by putting innovative strategies to work and providing fresh, organic lunches to all students.

Chef Ann offers consulting services for school administrators, revamping their school lunch programs and offering nutrition and food choice education to students. She works with schools to incorporate integrated school lunch curriculums that not only promote nutrition and food education, but serve healthful foods and increase the availability of healthy food and nutrition choices for kids and teens. Through collaborative work with organizations including the Center for Ecoliteracy, Alice Waters' Chez Panisse Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Food and Society Policy Fellowship, Chef Ann has made tremendous strides in a variety of school wellness programs." http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/about.html

Chef Ann is the author of

• "In Mother's Kitchen: Celebrated Women Chefs Share Beloved Family Recipes" (2005);
  
• "Bitter Harvest: A Chef's Perspective on the Hidden Dangers in the Foods We Eat and What You Can do About It" (2000), a glimpse into food safety and the dangers of every day meals; and
• "A Woman's Place is in the Kitchen: The Evolution of Women Chefs" (1998).

Check out these sample menus so you can show YOUR school system that eating healthy is NOT a lost cause!

Sample Elementary School Menu to show your principle/PTA
Sample Middle School Menu to show your principle/PTA

Reinventing the School Lunch- Ann Cooper