11 April 2008

Honey, so sweet, so good (for you)

Got Allergies, put some raw local honey on your tongue. Allergy season is coming for many and now is the time to add a little sweetness to your life and fight allergies at the same time. Consuming raw local honey (local to you, not me) can help control allergies caused by pollen from grasses, plants and flowers. The honey contains the offending allergens called antigens that usually cause your eyes to itch, nose to run, or skin to erupt. Consuming it in small quantities changes the effect of the allergens on your body. Your body can become accustomed to the offending antigens, preventing the need for a systemic immune reaction. It's a process called anergy. Your immune system is exposed to the antigens in small doses becomes used to them and builds a resistance to them. Take small amounts initially and then continue with about 1 teaspoon daily throughout the season.

Also effective for allergies are
Glutathione and Vitamin C - mast cell stabilizers which means they minimize the histamine response to allergens and therby decrease symptoms
Freeze dried stinging nettle
Garlic, onions, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil are all anti-inflammatory
Avoid mucogenic foods (snot producing) like dairy, sugar and processed/refined flour products.

Be well.

08 April 2008

Supplements for Kids

Recently my wife and I gave a talk to a wonderful group of proactive parents seeking ways to improve their children's diets. It was a talk called "Play With Your Food." Most of us know how important it is to get good nutritious meals into our children to improve moods, brain development and function, optimal physical development but the trick is getting it done. With the onslaught of confusing diets, the convenience of boxed and fast foods, microwaves, choosy children and our stressful lives, sometimes it's an accomplishment to actually use the stove in preparing a meal. Let supplements be your safety net; our children deserve a healthy regimen.

We have compiled a quick list of supplements that every child should be taking and a few suggestions. Our daughter Caley takes them regularly and loves them; they're "Kid tested, Mother approved." First tier supplements would be a high quality Multivitamin and Mineral, Fish oil like Cod Liver Oil, and Probiotics like Acidophilus. The Multivitamin is to ensure that your child has access to the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal development even with an imperfect diet. Fish oil is vital for brain development, nerve function, stabilizing moods and emotions, and immune function. Probiotics are essential for healthy gut function, improving digestion and absorption, boosting immune function and minimizing allergies or risk for developing food sensitivities. This is the most basic supplemental approach for children.
Second tier recommendations include a Green Drink powder full of a medley from the vegetable and fruit spectrum, Xylitol in the form of gums, mints, spray or gel and a Homeopathic Kit on hand.

The green drink will supply the necessary antioxidants and nutrients that vegetables and fruit offer and may be lacking in your child's diet. Xylitol is a sweetener that fights cavities and strengthens teeth. Kids love it for the taste; parents love it for fewer trips to the dentist. Stevia is another sweetener to know about as it has no sugar in it, is very sweet and does not affect blood sugar. A homeopathic kit on hand is great for childhood illnesses (even emergencies) when your travelling or at home, when you don't think you need a doctor, you don't want to drug your child but you want to help them get better faster. They're great for what ails your child. We have almost exclusively treated our daughter Caley with homeopathy... she gets colds like every healthy child should but she has never had an antibiotic, a trip to the ER or a visit to a pediatrician for an illness.

The supplements below are recommendations for products that we use and can be found through us or on our websites through our dispensary and can be drop shipped directly to you. We can also order them and deliver them to you.

Multivitamin and Mineral:
- Nordic Berries by Nordic Naturals (product code NORDI) More sugar than we like to give a child but hard to find a kids' multi without
Fish Oil: (Keep refrigerated)
- DHA Junior Strawberry by Nordic Naturals (product codes DHAJU and DHAJ1)
Capsule - easy to swallow or chew, more expensive per dose
Liquid - great taste, better bang for the buck
- Frutol Berry by Pharmax(product code FRUT2)
Probiotics: (Always keep refrigerated, only buy refrigerated, very heat sensitive)
- HLC Probiotic Straws by Pharmax (product code HLC19)
Very easy to use, kids love them, great general probiotic
- HLC Mindlinx by Pharmax (product codes HLC27 and HLC28)
Ideal for kids with sensitivities to dairy or wheat/gluten, capsule or powder capsules need to be swallowed or broken into milk/yogurt or such
Green Drink:
- Earth's Promise (product codes EPGE4, EPGP4, EPGS4, EPOC1, EPOC4, and EPPB4)
we know the "purple fruits" one is very tasty, 6 flavors
Xylitol:
- Spry toothpaste (product code SPRY1)
Spry also makes mints, gum, gel and a spray called Rain
- Xylitol Gum by Biogenesis (product code XYLI3)
Short lasting flavor kids don't care and it's a great 'treat' to have around
Stevia:
- Stevia by Nature's Way (product code STEV3)
Homeopathic Kit:
- 30c (or 30x potency) Remedy Kit:
Contains 50 common remedies We carry this type of kit, very versatile kit, can be harder to use though
- Children's Remedy Kit (6c potency):
Contains the twelve combinations Children's Tonic, Colic, Constipation, Cough, Diarrhea, Earache, Fever, Hives, Insomnia, Motion Sickness, Teething, and Tonsillitis. 100's of doses Easier to use. Less versatile
- Urgent Care Remedy Kit (30x potency):
Contains 18 remedies common for urgent care If you have more specific interests please let us know how we can help.
Here are our websites if you would like to place an order:
Health E Coaching
theSupplement
Naturopathic Anxiety Solutions