Smart Supplement Usage
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The major purpose of dietary supplements is to replace vitamins and minerals destroyed during food preparation and to provide the body with essential nutrients that the body doesn’t or can’t produce. Many people are under the misconception that more is better, and therefore take mega-doses of supplements or use them as meal replacements. Under certain conditions, supplementing with vitamins and minerals is important for preventing deficiencies. However, the problem lies in using supplementation instead of eating right in the first place.
Our bodies need the right kind of fuel to work properly; however, the body can only make the right kind of fuel if the proper raw materials are provided.
We can do this by:
· eating a variety of foods from a variety of sources;
· eliminating processed foods;
· eating raw, fresh produce and vegetables;
· eating lean meats that are free of hormones and chemicals;
· reducing portion sizes;
· cutting out foods high in simple sugars.
Eating right and using supplements wisely can assist in keeping the body healthy and strong.
It is important to discuss supplementation with your health care provider to ensure that your plan is safe and a true benefit to your health. Take care of yourself. You deserve longevity, but be smart, and do it right!
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Controlling Mold: It’s Easier Than You Think
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Growing up in the 70’s, I didn’t think much of mold as a health concern. It was an everyday occurrence to see mold in and around the bathroom and kitchen because of the humidity and intense heat. Mold (also known as fungus) thrives in moist environments. Even if you live in arid climates such as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or Colorado you home can still develop mold. If you have excessive moisture in your home, you increase your risk of developing a mold problem.
Mold has been linked to a variety of respiratory ailments. It usually manifests in allergy and/or cold-like symptoms. Recent studies have found that untreated mold exposure can lead to severe respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and asthma. The good news is that you can prevent and control mold.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following:
• Keep the humidity level in your home and office below 40%.
• During humid months, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
• Homes and offices should be well ventilated. Open your windows for at least a couple
of hours a day. If this is not an option then purchase exhaust fans for kitchen and
bathroom areas.
• The next time you paint your home, add a mold inhibitor to the product.
• Don’t carpet your bathroom, as carpet retains the moisture and mold will grow
underneath it.
• If you have a flood, remove the carpeting IMMEDIATELY and either allow it to dry out
or replace it.
• Use cleaning products that inhibit or kill mold. There are many natural varieties
available.
The best defense is an aggressive one. Mold is difficult to cure once it infiltrates an area. Also, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage should you have a water accident in your home or office. Most carriers will pay for the water damage but many will not cover mold damage resulting from the water damage. Mold damage can result in greater financial loss than the clean-up involved in a water accident.
Be safe and be health-savvy. With knowledge comes power and with power you can move mountains!
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Natural, Organic, Superior, Oh My!
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Within nature you’ll find a potpourri of healing agents that have been used for centuries to restore, revitalize, rebalance, and maintain wellness. These natural remedies stimulate, strengthen, and support the body’s innate ability to boost the immune system and trigger the body’s own healing processes. Many of these remedies are more gentle and effective then their chemically synthesized counterparts but what does “natural” really mean?
Natural ingredients are generally plant-based, minimally processed and have little or no chemical additives and fillers. However just because a product is labeled as natural it doesn’t mean it’s formulated from plant based extracts. Always read the product’s ingredients to determine exactly what’s in the product. The higher up the ingredient is on the list, the higher the percentage found in the product (by weight).
So how does natural differ from organic? Organic products are also plant-based and minimally processed. However the difference is that organic products must be grown and processed according to strict standards set out by the USDA that include, but are not limited to: no chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, ionizing radiation, and pesticides. In order to be considered organic the product must be certified by a third party agency that looks at how the ingredients are prepared and processed. Organic products aren’t tested for their nutritional or medicinal benefits. So, buying organic, like buying natural, may not necessarily be better.
Because a product is touted as being superior it doesn’t mean that it contains superior ingredients. You can protect yourself by doing a little research before buying: Read up on the company – What is their mission and goal for their products? Where do they get their products? What are their growing and harvesting practices? Are there more fillers than active ingredients? And of course read the ingredient label to see exactly what you are getting. Shop around and do your homework. With knowledge comes power! Take control of your health! You’ll be glad you did.
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Dry Eye Syndrome
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Dry eyes are very common. The condition is called, dry eye syndrome, because there can be more than one reason for its cause.
So what exactly is dry eye syndrome? Our eyes have a tear film layer that functions to produce natural tears which lubricate and rid ours eyes of irritants. The cause for dry eye syndrome can be due to a problem with the tear film layer or because the tears being produced don’t contain the proper mix of moisturizing elements to maintain lubrication.
There are many products on the market that treat eye conditions. Because you can purchase most of them over-the-counter (without a prescription), make sure the product you’re buying is specifically formulated to help dry eye syndrome. Certain medications may have side effects that can cause dry eye syndrome. Examples of these medications include: birth control pills, allergy medication, blood pressure remedies, arthritic preparations, and antidepressants drugs.
Dry eye can also occur from environmental irritants such as: air-conditioning, excessive de-humidification of the air, dry heating systems, and wearing your contact lenses for a long period of time. The issue of dry eye also occurs as the normal part of aging. Lastly, dry eye syndrome has been associated with a malfunctioning eye-lid or a defect in the eyes involuntary blinking reflex action.
If left untreated, dry eye syndrome can worsen uncomfortable symptoms such as: burning, itchiness, a sense that something is in the eye, and blurred vision; to more serious complications such as: cornea scaring, impaired vision, and serious damage to surrounding eye tissue. There are many eye drop preparations on the market. Therefore, it is important to match the correct preparation with the correct set of eye symptoms. Below is a brief over-view of the types of eye drops available and their benefits:
Reduce redness: Used for tired and irritated eyes.
Artificial tears: Used for dry and scratchy eyes (occasional dry eye).
Allergy eye: Used during allergy season for itchy and watery eyes.
Eye wash: Used to rinse the eye to remove irritants such as an eyelash.
Dry eye: Used to stimulate the production of tears.
There are also prescription eye drops that are used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Dry eye syndrome can be confused with a variety of other eye abnormalities, therefore it’s best to have any sudden changes in the condition of your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. I highly recommend an annual eye examination as preventive eye examinations can help screen for minor eye abnormalities, retinal changes, glaucoma, cataracts, tumors, etc.
When you’re armed with the proper information you can make better (and more informed) decisions about your health and the health of those you love.
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Mixing Remedies – A Bad Idea
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Did you know that you should never combine prescription medications with any other type of remedy unless prescribed by a doctor? All medications have the potential for side effects. Some side effects are minor and not life threatening such as, dry mouth or slight gastric upset. Conversely, some medications have severe side-effects that can be very life threatening, interfere with the absorption of key nutrients and the function of many enzymes, and counteract the important benefits of other medications.
Did you know that most medications are synthesized from their natural counterparts? So, just because something is touted to be natural doesn’t mean mixing them is safe. For example, before there was aspirin there was its natural plant counterpart found in willow bark. Both can help reduce a fever, manage pain, and thin the blood. The problem arises when willow bark is taken with other products that have the same properties, such as warfarin, coumadin, and vitamin K. Or when an individual who is allergic to aspirin but has the false belief that willow bark is safe, takes willow bark, again because it is natural. For this reason, as well as others, I tend to categorize all remedies, whether natural or synthetic, whether an herb or a vitamin, as drugs.
A drug is defined as a substance taken to: diagnose, medicate, prevent, and treat. A drug can effect non-targeted organs in the body thus resulting in unwanted side-effects, can neutralize or counteract the effects of other drugs, and can worsen certain pre-existing health problems
Although remedies taken in their natural form are not as potent as their synthetic pharmacological counterpart, they are still capable of doing great harm in large doses or when combined with other medications or remedies. Therefore, all supplements, whether vitamins, minerals, herbal, or homeopathic need to be reported and discussed with your doctor. The doctor can review for: proper dosing, interactions with other remedies, reduced absorption potential, harmful effects, and the like.
Armed with knowledge you can improve your chances of better-informed decisions about your health and the health of those you love. You’ll be glad you did!
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Erythritol: The New Kid on the Block
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Just when we thought scientists were done messing around with our sugar substitutes, another one pops onto the market. Erythritol, not really new, as it is found in our diets, is now available as an artificial sweetener. I know that I probably shouldn’t refer to it as artificial but I don’t have much faith in the powers that be.
First there was saccharine, A gift for our parent’s generation (until the scare in the 1970’s that it caused cancer in rats). Then there was acetoacetamide, circa 1988, found in everything from drinks to chewing gum, and then it was linked to thyroid cancer. And then there was aspartame, it tasted better than saccharine and was touted to be healthier, until we found out it was possibly linked to brain tumors and may contribute to the formation of formaldehyde. Isn’t formaldehyde used as an embalming agent?
Remember sorbitol? It is produced naturally in the body, yet it is poorly digested. Too much sorbitol has been linked to cellular damage. I bet you didn’t know that sorbitol is an ingredient in some cosmetics and hair gels as a thickening agent, and as a humectant in some cigarettes. When sorbitol is combined with potassium nitrate it becomes a crude form of rocket fuel!
Other sugar substitutes have come along and although less harmful they still have been known to cause considerable havoc on the gastric system. I am referring to sugar substitutes such as manitol, maltitol, and xylitol. If you have a history of gastric problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut syndrome, and others you may want to avoid ingesting these substitutes, as they can worsen your already aggravated condition. I was really disappointed when independent research showed that my favorite sugar substitute, sucralose (Splenda) may have caused thymus shrinkage, damage to the kidneys and liver, decreased red blood cell production, and was linked to pelvic hyperplasia, among other problems.
Indeed new products are constantly being added. The latest group advertised as coming straight from plant sources, aid in digestion, and taste very sweet are Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, and Stevia. Let’s talk about FOS first. FOS is indigestible in our bodies and is therefore a good bulking agent. It gets transported to the large intestine where it feeds on microbes. At first glance, this sounds good as it keeps the bad microbes in check. But upon further investigation, FOS also destroys the good microbes in our gut. Inulin, an oligosaccharides, is found in the roots of plants such as burdock and dandelion, both of which are common herbal remedies. It produces fructose and so is supposed to make our foods taste sweeter. Stevia is a plant found in parts of South America and Japan. It is sold as a dietary supplement and not as a sugar substitute.
I started this blog introducing Erythritol and so find it fitting to finish it the same way. It is about 75% as sweet as sucrose and has virtually no calories. It doesn’t affect blood sugar so it is safe for diabetics, and it doesn’t cause tooth decay and so we will soon find it in gum and dietary candy bars. Erythritol is processed in the kidneys and therefore bypasses the large intestine. But, yes you knew it was coming, excessive amounts of erythritol can spill over and be transported to the large intestine where it can cause severe diarrhea. I tried it and it tastes very good. It doesn’t have the funny after taste that many of the sugar substitutes on the market have.
Still I can’t help wonder and worry if Eythritol is just another on the evolutionary chain of sugar substitutes that will be found to cause harm. Our diets are bombarded with chemical – chemicals to process the food, to preserve and extend shelf live, chemicals to help with digestion, to add flavoring, color, and over-all enhance the appearance of the food. What ever happened to getting back to nature? Why do we have to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables? My children have always eaten their vegetables. Vegetables were always (and still are) a primary component of our meals. They know and appreciate the fact that snacks and desserts are secondary and a treat. But vegetables are a given and not to be passed over for ice cream and the like.
I will always advocate for a natural sugar alternative. I will always stress that anything 100% natural is better - as long as its taken in moderation. I have one cup of coffee a day and in that coffee I have one teaspoon of pure sugar. After the scare with splenda I threw my hands up in the air and gave in taking regular sugar. I don’t abuse it, and that is the key to my success. But don’t get me wrong, I’ll always keep looking for that great, all-natural sugar alternative that awaits me around the corner.
Take control of your health, go natural. You will be glad you did!
In health and wellness!
Dr. Mundorff
Health Inventory
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The health inventory provides baseline information that can assist your health care provider in determining potential risk factors. You can develop your own health inventory by incorporating data such as demographics (age, height, weight); lifestyle (physical activities, alcohol and smoking consumption, eating habits, and stress-relieving activities), hospitalizations (outpatient procedures and surgeries), medical history (past and current medical problems); and medication history (including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and homeopathic remedies). The health inventory can be adjusted to include whatever data you feel is important for your health care provider to know about you and your family. Keep the health inventory current and make copies for all of your health care providers.
Once the health inventory is completed, each family member then develops their individual health goal table. The health goal table is a plan of health. What is it that I want for my body? For example, if you have chronic back pain, one of your health goals might be to reduce or eliminate that back pain. Make the goal and the action plan reasonable and feasible or else you won’t implement it. Health goals need to be reviewed and updated regularly. You can best determine the frequency of those reviews with your health care practitioner. Be health wise and take control. You’ll be glad you did.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Mundorff
What is Naturoprathy?
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Naturopathy is a non-traditional health modality that seeks to improve overall health and treat diseases predominately by stimulating the body?s innate ability to heal. Naturopathic treatments are non-invasive and developed to stimulate the body?s own immune system. A Doctor of Naturopathy (or N.D.) focuses on prevention, achieving wellness and dealing with chronic problems that traditional medicine may have failed to cure.
Dr. Linda
Treating a Childhood Fever
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Treatment of a mild to moderate non-concerning fever should not be suppressive. The body produces a fever for a reason and we must respect the body?s innate ability to heal itself (unless the fever in itself is cause for concern). Here are some simple and effective ways to holistically help treat a child?s fever:
? Herbs are a useful tool to help manage fevers. Equal parts of yarrow, peppermint, chamomile, and elderflowers can work to help support the body move through the fever without suppressing it. Use 1-2 tsp of total herbs/cup of water and steep up to five minutes. Offer the child ? to 3 cups/day depending on the age of the child.
? Sponge baths in lukewarm water (do not use cold water or alcohol) for no longer than twenty minutes are useful to help reduce fevers. Ensure that the child is protected from drafts during and after the bath. Stop the bath immediately if he/she begins to shiver.
? Essential oils of lavender, rosemary, peppermint or eucalyptus can also be quite beneficial. Add 4-6 drops into a lukewarm sponge or foot bath. These essential oils can also be added to massage oil and rubbed into the back of the neck, shoulders and feet. Do not ingest the essential oils orally ? they are only for external use.
? Garlic massaged into the feet with a little olive oil before bed will act slowly during the night to stabilize the fever. Use fresh pressed, room temperature garlic.
? Homeopathy, a system of medicine that stimulates the innate defensive systems and inner vitality of the body in a very subtle manner, is often one of the most effective treatments for fevers. If the correct homeopathic medicine has been chosen, the child will show noticeable signs of improvement quite quickly. For information on how to choose the ?right? remedy for the child, consult a Naturopathic or Homeopathic Doctor.
If you prefer to take the more conventional route, there are numerous over the counter medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.) that are fever-suppressant. Remember, fevers are generally a supportive measure that the body uses to fight infection. Avoid giving aspirin to a child with a fever. Many fevers are virally caused infections, and the combination of aspirin and viral illness has been linked to the development of Reye?s syndrome. Consult your pharmacist or medical doctor for further information.
If the child has a temperature above 103?F and the child does not respond to fever-reducing interventions, acts confused or loses consciousness, begins to have body twitching or eyes rolling, is under six months old, is unusually sleepy or extremely irritable, is having difficulty breathing, has a significant decrease in urine output, has symptoms of a fever accompanied by a headache and/or stiff neck, or looks and feels really sick, consult a health care practitioner at once. These are situations that may require professional intervention.
The human body is instinctually intelligent — children are as well. Fevers are generally a healthy response to alert the body that there is a deeper underlying illness within the body. Fevers are an ally, a tool the body employs to ward of infection and disease. If we suppress fevers, we do not respect the innate ability of the body to heal itself. As I mentioned previously, fevers can be dangerous and should not always be left to ride themselves out; however, where possible, allow the body to manage the fever on its own and do not interrupt its purpose of fighting the underlying cause. Children will notify you with both verbal and non-verbal cues when they are not managing a fever well. Pay close attention to their cues and allow them to rest as much as possible. Children are amazing creatures of strength with innate healing powers.
How to Manage a Fever
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Managing a fever involves a lot of rest and plenty of fluids. Dehydration can occur quickly in infants and children and must be carefully monitored, especially if diarrhea and/or vomiting accompany the fever. For children older than 2 years old, you can offer them water, light broth, vegetable juices, diluted fruit juices and fruit juice popsicles, lemon water, herbal teas, and breast milk, if applicable. A decrease in appetite is often quite normal when a fever is present ? do not force the child to eat. Food will often place more strain on a child?s system and inhibit the body?s ability to fight the underlying infection. Ensure that the child has enough clothes on to prevent a chill, but be sure not to overdress them.
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