Yes, if there happened to be a nuclear event in our own back-yard, like at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, we would all benefit from a ration of potassium iodide (Iodoral). The truth of the matter is, the meltdown that is taking place at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan – WILL NOT affect us. We WILL NOT be exposed to dangerously high radiation levels.  Any negative impact to our health, because of this event, will be primarily psychological in nature – in the form of: fear, anxiety, worry, depression, uncertainty, apathy…. This psychological torture is being promoted and fostered by the media, in part, because the press is not reporting what the public truly needs and wants to know, “is there any real risk of unhealthful radiation exposure from the nuclear meltdown in Japan?”

I posed this question to two reputable professors, one at USC and the other at UC Berkeley, who would know the answer and tell it exactly as it is.

Dr. Marcus Ettinger (to the professors): I am writing a post, to be published on my blog, in order to better educate my patients and those who follow my blog.

Question: let’s say the worst case scenario occurs, a further or complete melt-down of reactor 2 (or other reactors). What, in your estimation, would be the absolute risk of radiation exposure we could face in California?

Is there a possibility, even if remote, that we could be exposed to levels amounting to or exceeding 100mSv? (Radiation Dose Chart – not sent in original question) Or, is the distance so great between us and Japan that the radiation would be diluted and pose no or negligible health risk?

I truly appreciate any insight you can share with me. This will most certainly help many people and lesson the fear they are experiencing because of an information vacuum. When there is a lack of information people will fill-in the void with reactive, rather than analytical thought.

Thank you in advance,

Sincerely,

Dr. Marcus Ettinger

Daniel Stram, PhD

From: Dan Stram, PhD

Hi Dr. Ettinger,

Judging by the one complete meltdown that has occurred, i.e. Chernobyl, I would have to say that it is inconceivable that anyone in the US would see exposures anywhere near the 100mSv that you ask about even if the scale of the disasters were the same. Japan is a 10 hour plane flight from California, any fallout that could be lifted high enough to reach the west coast would have to be so diluted and spread out as to be of no significance to US public health (e.g. contributing far less than normal background radiation to even the most exposed). Other pathways (e.g. seafood from Japan etc) are also extremely remote and not likely to provide concentrated levels. In Japan itself the most important pathway involves milk contamination with Iodine 131 and this can be closed off by not drinking locally produced milk.

So far the Fukushima releases are not anywhere near the significance of the Chernobyl event and it seems unlikely that even a worse-case in Japan could be anywhere near as large as Chernobyl which exploded and burned uncontrolled for days with no containment.

Workers in Japan are at risk – i.e. those actually performing the emergency work at Fukushima. Apparently some numbers of them are getting doses above 100mSv from what I have been reading.

Dan Stram, PhD
Associate Professor Preventive Medicine (Division of Biostatistics)
The Department of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC

• Dr. Stram’s research interests center on the development and application of modern statistical methods. He is especially interested in measurement error methods in cancer epidemiology, methods for the analysis of repeated measures data, and human genetics data. He has worked extensively on these issues in the A-bomb survivor cohort and other important data series. He is also involved in the conduct of clinical trials through the Children’s Cancer Group.
• Research Associate, Radiation Effects Research Foundation Hiroshima, Japan., 1986 – 1989

Edward Morse, PhD

From: Edward C. Morse, PhD:

1. The radioactivity exposure potential at any of the reactors is now less than one percent of its original level.

2. In the case of Chernobyl, Berkeley was running at about ten times normal background for about a week. That resulted in an additional exposure of 70 day’s worth, or about 40 millirem. One transcontinental jet aircraft round trip from here to Washington, DC is about 5 millirem.

3. This accident, maximum, would be 100 times less release than Chernobyl, or about 0.5 millirem.

4. Note that 1 Sv=100 Rem, so this translates to 5 micro-Sievert (mS), well below your 100 mSv question.

Edward Morse, PhD
UC Berkeley Department of Nuclear Engineering

My Commentary: I love potassium iodide (Iodoral) and I’ve been taking  50 mg’s/day  since mid-February (1 month before the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011). I even have my six year old daughter on a small dose 450 mcg/day). Maile has been doing better in first grade and I have not slept this well since I was a teenager.

Important facts about iodine: The highest concentration of iodine found in the body is in the thyroid gland and it’s essential for proper thyroid function. Outside the thyroid, the highest concentrations will be found in the breast and ovaries of women, a man’s prostate gland and the epidermis of the skin. Iodine is found in almost every cell of the body;  that is if there is enough to saturate the thyroid first, which in the vast majority of us is not the case.

Iodine (I) belongs to a class of elements called “halogens”, along with fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), and bromine (Br). Fluorine (Fluorine is a known carcinogen and is present in our drinking water and in many of our drugs such as Cipro, Lipitor, Prozac, Paxil, and Effexor) and bromine (bromide in baked goods – bread,  interferes with iodide uptake and utilization in the thyroid gland) appear to be NOT REQUIRED for human health. Along with perchlorate, a water contaminant and chlorine compound, these various halogens compete or affect each other.

Fluorine, certain chlorine compounds and bromine, all push iodide out and affect the body in a negative manor, especially the thyroid, breast, ovaries, prostate and skin.

The U.S. has the highest incidence of breast cancer and Japan’s breast cancer level is the lowest in the world. The U.S. life expectancy rating is 48th of the 226 countries; Japan is 6th. Our infant mortality rate is 7 per 1000 births; Japan is 3.5 per 1000, which is the lowest incidence in the world. Yet, when the Japanese relocate to this country and adopt our diet, they quickly join the U.S. statistics for cancer, life expectancy, and infant mortality.

Two reasons why we are so deficient in iodine are: First, and obviously, we don’t ingest enough iodine every day. Second, the little iodine we ingest gets displaced or pushed out of the essential tissues (by fluorine, chlorine and bromine – Halogen Metals).  See IODINE AND OTHER HALOGENS.

The good new is that iodide supplementation is effective in detoxing fluorine and bromine out of the body. (See also Iodine and Disease and Iodine and the Body). Call to find out how iodine deficiency may be affecting you or how fluoride or bromide toxicity may be affecting you 714-639-4360.

Iodine and Radiation Resources:

This an independent site run by Ken Rockwell Current California Radiation Levels Location: Measured outdoors near La Jolla (San Diego). © 2011 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

EPA – Japanese Nuclear Emergency: Radiation Monitoring (Daily Data Summary)

The webs best resource for information on: How much iodine do we need? What are the best sources? What happens if we don’t get enough? Or get too much? www.Iodine4Health.com

The practice of Dr. Marcus Ettinger

1. Magnésio

Deficiência: 8 dos 10 clientes apresentem sinais clínicos de deficiência de magnésio. A dieta americana normal contém apenas 50% a 60% da dose diária recomendada (RDA). De acordo com o Dr. Guosong Liu , metade da população dos países industrializados têm um déficit de magnésio, que aumenta com o envelhecimento.

Sintomas: ansiedade, confusão, ataque cardíaco, hiperatividade (ADD / ADHD) , insônia, nervosismo, irritabilidade muscular (contrações musculares, espasmos ou cólicas), desassossego, Restless Leg Syndrome (SPI), fraqueza, palpitações do coração, depressão ….

Recomendado Alimentos: Todos os vegetais de folhas verdes (ex. acelga e espinafre), sementes (sementes de abóbora ou girassol), feijão (feijão preto ou azul marinho).

Recomendado Suplementos Nutricionais: magnésio aspartato, glicinato ou citrato (400-600 mg’s por dia) ou transdérmica de Magnésio Cloreto (1 oz esfregou todo o corpo, por dia). Para adquirir qualquer um destes, ligue 714-639-4360

2. Zinco

Deficiência: 7 de cada 10 clientes apresentem sinais clínicos de deficiência.

Sintomas: Acne, ADD / ADHD , unhas quebradiças, maturidade sexual tardia, depressão / apatia, diarréia, eczema , fadiga, diminuição do crescimento, perda de cabelo, níveis elevados de colesterol, diminuição da imunidade, impotência, irritabilidade, letargia, perda de apetite, perda de sentido do paladar, baixa acidez estomacal (HCl) , a infertilidade masculina / espermatozóides anormais, perda de memória, cegueira noturna, paranóia, manchas brancas nas unhas, má cicatrização de feridas, psoríase ….

Recomendado Alimentos: o fígado de vitela, carne, cogumelos, espinafres, ervilhas verdes e as sementes de abóbora.

Suplementos nutricionais recomendados: Zinco Gluconato (50 – 100mg por dia). Para comprar, ligue para 714-639-4360

3. A vitamina D

Deficiência: 10 de 10 de deficiência mostrar aos clientes (99,8% de todos os meus Labcorp, exames de sangue mostraram deficiência do cliente).

Sintomas: As alergias, doenças auto imunes, sensação de queimação na boca, câncer, diarréia, insônia, miopia, nervosismo, osteoporose, má utilização do cálcio, raquitismo, suando no couro cabeludo, o ganho de peso ….

Recomendado Alimentos: óleo de fígado de bacalhau, camarão e ovos.

Recomendado Suplementos Nutricionais: melhor vitamina D PRODUTO: Líquido Vitamina D Forte por Biotics Pesquisa (R $ 20 para 700 + gotas. Cada gota = 2.000 UI). A dose recomendada de vitamina emulsionados D3/Cholecalciferol – (6.000 – 10.000 UI por dia para adultos e 2.000 UI para crianças acima dos cinco anos de idade). A pele da exposição ao sol, a 15 minutos por dia, é outra ótima maneira de obter a exposição adequada de vitamina D de Junho. Nota: vida do sul da Califórnia, eu só pegar minha vitamina D durante os meses de outubro – o começo do. Eu surfo muito e logo a minha roupa vem fora e eu posso ficar + 15 minutos de luz solar direta, eu não precisar mais da forma de suplemento. De fato, se se eu ficava tirando isso eu iria queimaduras em 15 minutos. Isto é o que seu corpo faz quando o nível de vitamina D é suficiente. Para adquirir chamada 714-639-4360

4. A vitamina E

Deficiência: 3 / 10 machos e 2 / 10 fêmeas mostram sinais de deficiência.

Sintomas: distúrbios neurológicos (distúrbios da marcha, reflexos pobres, a perda do sentido de posição, perda do sentido de vibração), encurtou a vida de células vermelhas do sangue ….

R RECOMENDADOS Alimentos: vegetais de folha verde (folhas de mostarda, espinafre, acelga e nabo), amêndoas e sementes de girassol.

Recomendado Suplementos Nutricionais: d-alfa tocoferol w / Tocohperols misto (400-800 UI / dia) ou orgânicos Cold Pressed óleo de germe de trigo (1 colher de sopa por dia 400IU de fontes de alfa-tocoferol d).

5. Omega 3 ácidos graxos (, ALA EPA, DHA)

Deficiência: 8 / 10 não mostram sinais de deficiência.

Sintomas: diarréia, pele e cabelos secos, queda de cabelo, acne, eczema, psoríase, fraqueza imunológica, infertilidade, dificuldade de cicatrização, síndrome pré-menstrual, pedras na vesícula, degeneração do fígado, ADD / ADHD e depressão ….

Recomendado Alimentos: selvagens capturados salmão (Importante: evitar salmões criados em fazendas por causa de poluentes, de cores artificiais e falta de EFA’s) de semente de linho, e / ou óleo de semente de linho, as nozes e as sardinhas.

Recomendado Suplementos Nutricionais: Orgânico, prensado a frio, sem Solventes – Linho Seed Oil (1 Tablespoon/10 gramas por dia – Melhor fonte de ácido alfa-linolênico); Mollecularly destilada Fish Oil (1 colher de chá por dia – Melhor fonte de EPA / DHA) .

Se você gostaria de adquirir algum desses produtos, por favor, ligue para (714) 639-6360. Nós podemos enviar em qualquer lugar os EUA eo Canadá.

I am a holistic psychiatrist who has been purchasing goji powder from your company.  I was wondering what percentage polysaccharides are found in the freeze dried goji powder that your company sells.  I also was wondering about the pros and cons of dried goji berry juice as opposed to the whole berry.

Thank you,

Holistic Doc.

Dear Doc,

It’s 240 mg’s per 6000 mg’s (or, about 1.2 grams per ounce) of goji powder.  There will be less in the juice than the whole fruit powder or whole dried, organic berries.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Dr. Marcus Ettinger

Dear Doc,

I wanted to share with you a couple of specialty products I use in my practice to exchange psychiatric medications for nutraceuticals.

Gabatone by Apex Energetics.  Gabatone has 10mg of Lithium Orotate and other good stuff.  I take one before bed myself and my mild ADD/OCD/Type A personality is way better.  I can actually drive Southern California Freeways in traffic and not want to shoot someone.  I have at least 20+ clients on it and when it went on back order from Apex I had a lot of really pissed off people, so it must be doing something.

Sometimes I use Amoryn.  I mainly have used this, in conjunction with a lot of DHA, zinc 50-100mg’s and Gabatone 1-3, with patients who have come in on Abilify or other antipsychotics.  For these clients I also try to get them in Ketosis (monitoring every day w/keto-sticks).  The brain really utilizes ketone bodies, far better than it utilizes glucose.  Plus, when in ketosis there are no sugar crashes or sugar highs.  I have actually been in ketosis for the last 17 days and have never felt more clear headed in my life. More info on what I am doing here – My Personal Ultra Lite Program

Norival by Ecological Formulas http://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/Monographs/norival.html (for information only).  I use AK and/or CRA to see if this needs to be added.  I only have two clients on this and the swear by it.

Lastly, and what I use most often is L-tryptophan as a serotonin precursor and SAMe as a melatonin precursor.  I feel SAMe works far better than melatonin for sleep issues and calming the brain.

I would love to hear if you have any favorite products that you use in your practice.

Take care,

Marcus

Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the following information.  It was very generous of you to take the time to share what you have learned in your practice.  I took some time to learn about the U lite program.  It  seems to be a  diet that emphasizes the reduction or elimination of fast burning carbohydrates: sugars, breads, and pastas, but keeps the meats and vegetables as sources of nutrients.  I have not done this in my practice, but I do have patients get rid of wheat, dairy and white sugar as much as they can.

With regard to lowering antipsychotic medications, I am still in a learning phase.  I emphasize GABA support as well, in the form of having patients eat GABA rice and use the inhibitory amino acids that Neuroscience makes: TravaCor or TravaCor Jr.  But in addition, I use a lot of L-Taurine.

The new generation antipsychotics block many receptors and subcategories of various classes of receptors, which makes them especially hard to get off of after being on them for several years.  I have started a “step down” approach that seems to make the process easier.  Zyprexa affects 17 different receptors (various Ds and 5HTPs etc.), while Seroquel affects 10 different receptors.  So I have patients take a little Seroquel as I lower their Zyprexa, then when they are only on the Seroquel, I shift them to Haldol (liquid), then off altogether.  Also, I have found that it is critical to wait a period of time (two weeks) before I lower the antipsychotic again.  This allows the number of receptors to be reduced in number after the amount of antipsychotic medication blocking them has been reduced.

In addition, I like using whole food antioxidants such as goji powder, acai powder, and maqui powder (freeze dried).  Most of my patient come with high levels of oxidative stress.

Also, I do a lot of muscle testing for information both for supplements, meds, and energy healing work.  The energy healing work helps a lot too.

With regard to lithium, I am routinely using a product called Li-Zyme Forte or Li-Zyme by Biotics Research.  It seems to be superior to lithium orotate as well as the oligo lithium I was using through Deseret Biologicals (no longer available).

With regard to energy work, I work with patients to help them use EFT, TAT, Emotion Code Technique (by Dr. Bradley Nelson) to heal from traumas.  The release of traumas facilitates the physical healing process and detoxification quite well.

I try to avoid anything that would be too stimulating in those trying to get off sedating meds.  So, I avoid glutamate, aspartate, and histamine amino acids.

Sometimes, I like to refer patients to a good chiropractor or acupuncturist around here.

All the best,

Holistic Doc.

4-15-2010

Dear Doc,

I wanted to share a combo that I have put my 5 year old on that is working great for her attention issues. Maile has an amazing ability to concentrate, as most kids do with so called ADD, on the things she likes, and to a lesser degree on, let’s say, homework.

I am using 1 tsp Molecularly Distilled Fish oil,  ¼ tsp Probiotic Defense Powder, 1 Tbsp Non GMO lecithin Granules, ½ scoop Whey Protein Isolate, 1 drop Liquid Vitamin D Forte (Biotics Research) and 1 scoop Absolute Acai Powder (CAOH). I mix this with a little apple juice, strawberries and Greek yogurt in a blender. Maile really loves the smoothie and her attention span has increased dramatically. Yes, she is still an active 5 year old, but the difference is very noticeable.

Do you have a combo that you like you young patients with ADD or ADHD to be on?

Have a great day!

Marcus

Hi Marcus,

I am happy to hear that your daughter is doing well.

I consider ADD or ADHD as problems that arise from chronic, but early adrenal stress (generally accompanied by a deficient detoxification system), so anything that would cause too much stress will result in a change in attention span as the adrenals kick in with hormones that send the message: “fight or flight.”  I have used everything you have mentioned below regularly, other than the lecithin (though I had used it in the past), but I tend to use liposomal products now which deliver similar supports, I believe, in healing the membranes.

Antioxidant support is very important.  I like using a combination of goji, maqui, and acai powders.  They have slightly different areas of strength it seems, because the muscle testing will indicate a need for all three in some individuals.  Sometimes for those who are getting off stimulants, I will support energy levels with UBQH, Malic acid, and D-Ribose.  Coming off stimulants is hard on appetite.  It goes way up, so I am using Hoodia, but will be trying out a Hoodia, Acai, and Wuyi tea combination to see if it is even stronger.  Also, I try to help detox with foot detox pads and liposomal glutathione (Empirical Labs or Readisorb Glutathione by YES).  Generally these kids have some kind of hypersensitivity reaction to wheat, dairy, and white refined sugar, so I tell them to get off of them.  I provide a great deal of mineral support as well.  Sometimes I must use Organically Bound Minerals by Standard Process, to avoid the copper.  Other times, I can get away with using the ionic liquid minerals called Cell Ready Minerals crangrapefruit flavor by Eniva, as long as I use additional zinc to counter the copper in it.  With regard to essential fatty acids, I generally use Chia seed oil and Black currant seed oil.

Hope this was of some interest.

All the best,

Holistic Doc.

*Ketosis is determined by dipping a ketone stick in to a specimen of morning urine.  The state of ketosis means that I am now burning body and liver fat, and one of the metabolic products of that reaction is a ketone body.  As long as I am in ketosis I will continually be burning fat, which will provide my body and brain the energy it needs to function. Most of the time we will burning glucose (blood-sugar) which comes from the carbohydrates (bread, corn, pasta, potato, rice, sugar…) we eat. The best part it that weight-loss comes from body fat reduction, not water or muscle loss.

Ketone Dip Stick Test

Today I added my first supplement, Spectramin.  Spectramin is a comprehensive multi-mineral supplement.  The main reason for this addition is that the switch from a high-carbohydrate to a low-carbohydrate, “ketogenic” diet is fairly rapid, thus my body may temporarily go through a period of adjustment.  During this adjustment my body may require extra minerals, due to my body’s releasing excess fluids that were stored during high-carbohydrate eating.

In the first week or two of being on the Orange County UltraLite (weight-loss) Program, I expect a great deal of the weight-loss to come from elimination of retained water. Research suggests that the presence of higher than normal levels of insulin in the blood causes excess water retention in the body. This is due to the fact that sodium will be retained by the kidney’s and water will be stored to buffer the excess sodium. This process results in (water-retention, swelling, edema, puffiness) and is a primary cause of high blood pressure. This is why doctors will prescribe diuretics to patients with hypertension. Logically, wouldn’t be smarter to get the insulin levels down by reducing the patients carbohydrate intake?

The initial water loss is only a short-term effect and is entirely separate from the general weight loss produced through the loss in excess body fat.

The Mediterranean Diet consists of low meat intake, moderate intake of alcohol (wine) and dairy products (sheep’s milk products), and high intake of fruits, nuts, vegetables (primarily greens), cereals/grains, and fish (small fish like sardines, high in omega 3′s), and flavoring foods with herbs, spices and natural sea salt. The researchers found dose-response relationships for:

Olive Oil Benefits More Than The Heart

1. fruits and nuts
2. monounsaturated-to-saturated fats ratio
3. legume (beans) intake

The higher the intake of fruits, nuts, monounsaturated fats (olive oil) and beans – The more profound the beneficial results were.

Archives of General Psychiatry 2009;66:1090-1098.

ADDITIONAL: E-mail to Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas MD one of the foremost researchers into the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Dr. Scarmeas,

I just read your study in JAMA, very nice! I have a Integrative medicine practice in southern California for twenty years now and advocate that my clients follow a Mediterranean Diet. I have followed this way of eating for over twenty years and at 45 I have ideal blood markers.

My question is this: what do you feel is the most important aspect (most profound physiological benefits) of the Mediterranean diet?

Is it the red wine (polyphenols, especially resveratrol and its ability to increase NO synthase?)
or
Is it olive oil and omega 3’s from the fish and almonds?
or
Does the diet itself inhibit/reduce inflammatory cytokines, reducing the incidence of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s?
or
?

I would really appreciate any insight you can share.

Thank you in advance.

Marcus Ettinger

Reply (brief but to the point):

Dear Dr Ettinger.

We are investigating some of it. Currently it is not clear. It may be a combination of all the above – biological synergy. Physical activity seems equally important.

Thank you for your interest.

Note:

Below is a paragraph from my post on The True Cause of Alzheimer’s? The deficiencies that may predispose one to developing this terrible disease can be corrected by following a Mediterranean Diet and engaging in regular exercise, throughout one’s life.

“My thought’s on predisposing/contributing factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease and senile dementia: A severe lack of vitamin D, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, exercise, chiropractic adjustments, continual engagement in intellectual activities (chess, crossword puzzles, social interaction…) and prolonged smoking.”

Hi Marcus,

I wanted you to know that this time around I felt better almost immediately, and within 24 hours, I felt better than I have in quite some time.  I so appreciate your healing, caring, and your generosity.

Have a great, rainy day!

Happiness = Good Health

Treatment Protocol: Bio-identical hormone replacement (Phyot-B)*, magnesium and potassium aspartate, and specific atlas (C1) and axis (C2) chiropractic adjustments

Phyto-B is designed to provide hormone support for the those who have reduced estrogen and progesterone levels. Phyto-B is an herbal supplement designed to address declining hormone levels and combat menopausal symptoms. This is done by giving support to the estrogens and progesterone through plant derived products. Phyto-B is prepared by Bezwecken.

Excessive negative stress has become, over the last 25 years, as much a part of our daily lives as eating and sleeping. Excessive negative stress can be physical (chronic illness, lack of exercise, over-exercising, etc.), emotional (losing a job, winning the lottery, etc.), or chemical (bad diet, drugs, medicines, alcohol, pesticides, etc.).

Excessive negative stress is most likely to be the initial predisposing factor in the cause and prolongation of a disease or illness. Again, the greater the exposure and duration to these negative stressors the greater the susceptibility to acute or chronic illness or body dysfunction.

It is also important to note that not all stress is bad or has negative effects on our bodies. Some types of stress are actually beneficial for us and can increase our immune function, overall strength, emotional well being and longevity. The most beneficial form of stress is exercise, especially swimming and weight training. This type of stress can, in moderation, even negate some of the excessive negative stress’ we face.

When our bodies are exposed to any form of negative stress our organ systems innately responds with what is known as the “fight-flight response”. During this stress induced response, many different and potentially damaging physiological reactions occur. During the initial phase, which can last for seconds to years, digestion and absorption of nutrients are greatly reduced; body tissues begin to break down; the immune system is suppressed; our heart begins to overload and the aging process is significantly accelerated. These are but a sampling of what does occur.

Individuals who are exposed to excessive negative stress may also develop a condition known as adrenal exhaustion. This condition occurs when the adrenal glands work beyond their normal capacity thus eventually shutting down (no more Cortisol, a hormone, being produced). Adrenal exhaustion presents with symptoms similar to those found in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and hypoglycemia (see table 1).

Table 1

An integrative medicine approach for the treatment of adrenal exhaustion or the effects excessive negative stress are identical. First, it’s crucial to reduce or eliminate as many negative stressors (individual stress factors) as possible.

Second, get plenty of rest, at least 8 hours, starting before midnight; engage in regular, but not excessive, exercise; greatly reduce your carbohydrates intake (bread, sweets, pasta, corn and potatoes); increase protein intake; increase fibrous vegetable intake; drink eight glasses of filtered water daily, and perform deep breathing exercises every morning and evening.

Third, nutritional and/or pharmacological support. To determine pharmacological support we must first determine thyroid and adrenal function via blood tests (thyroid panel including both thyroid antibodies and rT3), and (DHEA, cortisol and progesterone) levels. Nutritional support can be in the form of DHEA and/or Pregnenolone (10 – 50 mg daily) and/or glycerrhizin (25 – 100 mg daily – preferably in the morning). These two supplements safely support proper adrenal hormone levels. DMG (vitamin B15) and Siberian Ginseng have both been shown in Russian clinical studies to help regulate the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is the initial precursor, along with our LDL cholesterol to our adrenal hormones, whole C complex (Ester-C w/bioflavonoids) is an antioxidant for the adrenal and the highest concentration of vitamin C out side of the spinal chord and brain is found in the adrenal; and potassium are essential for proper adrenal gland function. Adrenal glandular preparations (Whole Desiccated Adrenal (short-term), Drenamin and Drenatrophin PMG) from Standard Process Inc. will also help to support the adrenal glands. These are but a few options that I have used to support the stress response of the body.

Additionally, antioxidants and supportive products like: CoQ10, glutathione, NAC, vitamin E, bioflavonoids, alpha lipoic acid, SAMe, Gabatone (Apex Energetics), L-tryptophan, magnesium and MSM, will also help reduce the overall oxidative burden placed on the body by the excessive negative stress.

With the above knowledge the road to well being and health is now a much shorter one.

Mediterranean Diet

Since high blood pressure is, for the majority of those who suffer from it, self created, following this simple plan can reverse the factors that created it.

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan has been researched and proven to lower blood pressure in only 14 days. Those who will experience the best results are people whose blood pressure was only moderately high, including those with prehypertension(1). For those of you with more severe hypertension and may not be able to eliminate medication, the DASH diet can help to improve your response to medication, and at the same time it will help lower blood pressure. The DASH diet can also aid in lowering cholesterol levels, raise HDL’s and if with a little exercise added in, weight reduction will be seen allow with a reduction in insulin resistance.

Most of you reading this will easily admit that this seems like a very healthy way of eating, but initially when implemented may find it hard to sustain. The truth is that the average American only eats 2 – 3 servings of fruits and vegetables combined each day, so following the DASH diet may involve making a determined effort.

The best part of eating this way is that you will be reducing your chances of developing degenerative diseases, cancers or autoimmune diseases. Also this is a preventive diet against weight gain, obesity and diabetes.

Some helpful tips for lowering your blood pressure and following the DASH diet

1. Eating fewer processed foods, such as snack items, luncheon meats, and canned soups, will reduce the amount of sodium in your diet and help you lower your blood pressure.
2. A diet high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium (fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of this nutrients) may lower your blood pressure.
3. A diet high in sodium may cause high blood pressure.
4. DASH recommends that you eat 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of low-fat dairy products each day.
5. Eating a diet low in both saturated fat and total fat will also help lower your blood pressure. Only 30% (I recommend using olive oil as your fat source) of your total calories should be from fat, with only 7% to 10% of
   your fat calories from saturated fat. Saturated fat is found in meats, cheeses, butter, poultry, snack foods, and other processed foods.
6. In general, vegetarian (Mediterranean diet) diets reduce blood pressure. The DASH diet could easily be a vegetarian diet if legumes were substituted for meat. Vegetarian diets tend to be higher in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as is the DASH diet. Vegetarian diets also are higher in fiber and unsaturated fat than other diets.
7. Controlling your weight, increasing your physical activity, and reducing sodium in your diet will help reduce your blood pressure even more when combined with the DASH diet. More information here: Mediterranean Diet Helps Prevent Depression.

(1). Prehypertension is considered to be blood pressure readings with a systolic pressure from 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure from 80 to 89 mm Hg. Readings greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg are considered hypertension.

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

If you would like to purchase any of these products, please call us at (714) 639-6360. We can ship anywhere in the US and Canada.

1.  Magnesium

Deficiency: 8 out of 10 clients show clinical signs of magnesium deficiency.  The average American diet only contains 50% to 60% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).  According to Dr. Guosong Liu, half the population of industrialized countries have a magnesium deficit, which increases with aging.

Symptoms: Anxiety, confusion, heart attack, hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD), insomnia, nervousness, muscular irritability (twitches, spasms or cramps), restlessness, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), weakness, heart palpitations, depression….

Recommended Foods: All green leafy vegetables (ex. Swiss chard and spinach), Seeds (pumpkin or sunflower seeds), Beans (black or navy beans).

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: Magnesium aspartate, glycinate or citrate (400 – 600 mg’s per day) OR Transdermal Magnesium Chloride (1 ounce rubbed over the body, per day).

2.  Zinc

Deficiency: 7 out of 10 clients show clinical signs of deficiency.

Symptoms: Acne, ADD/ADHD, brittle nails, delayed sexual maturity, depression/apathy, diarrhea, eczema, fatigue, growth impairment, hair loss, high cholesterol levels, immune impairment, impotence, irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of sense of taste, low stomach acid (HCl), male infertility/abnormal sperm, memory impairment, night blindness, paranoia, white spots on nails, poor wound healing, psoriasis….

Recommended Foods: Calf’s liver, beef, mushrooms, spinach, green peas and pumpkin seeds.

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: Zinc Glycinate (50 – 100mg’s per day). Take with food, as zinc supplementation may cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.

3.  Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Deficiency: 10 out of 10 clients show deficiency (99.8% of all of my Labcorp, client blood tests have shown deficiency).

Symptoms: Allergies, auto immune diseases, burning sensation in mouth, cancer, diarrhea, insomnia, myopia, nervousness, osteoporosis, poor calcium utilization, rickets, scalp sweating, weight gain….

Recommended Foods: Cod liver oil, shrimp and eggs.

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: BEST VITAMIN D3 (cholecalciferol) PRODUCT: Liquid Vitamin D Forte by Biotics Research ($20  for 700+ drops. Each drop = 2,000 IU’s). Recommended dosage of emulsified Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) -  (6,000 – 10,000 IU’s per day for adults and 2,000 IU’s for children above the age of five).  Skin exposure to the sun, 15 minutes per day, is another great way to get adequate Vitamin D exposure.  Note: living in southern California, I only take my Vitamin D3 during the months of October through the beginning of June. I surf a lot, and as soon as my wetsuit comes off and I can get 15 minutes+ of direct sunlight, I no longer need the supplement form. In fact, if I kept taking it, I would sunburn within 15 minutes. This is what your body does when the vitamin D3 level is maxed-out.

4.  Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)

Deficiency: 3/10 Males and 2/10 Females show signs of deficiency.

Symptoms: Neurological disturbances (gait disturbances, poor reflexes, loss of position sense, loss of vibration sense), shortened red blood cell life….

Recommended Foods: Green leafy vegetables (Mustard greens, chard, spinach and turnip greens), almonds and sunflower seeds.

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: d-alpha Tocopherol w/Mixed Tocohperols (400-800 IU’s per day) or Organic Cold Pressed Wheat Germ Oil (1 Tablespoon per day supplies 400IU’s of d-alpha tocopherol).

5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids (ALA, EPA, DHA)

Deficiency: 8/10 show signs of deficiency.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, dry skin and hair, hair loss, acne, eczema, psoriasis, immune weakness, infertility, poor wound healing, premenstrual syndrome, gall stones, liver degeneration, ADD/ADHD and Depression….

Recommended Foods: Flax seed and/or flax seed oil, walnuts, sardines and wild-caught salmon (Important: avoid farm-raised salmon! Eating farm raised salmon vs wild salmon increases your risk of being exposed to PCB’s, dioxin and other toxic pollutants. Farm raised salmon is colored with artificial color and lacks the omega 3 fatty acids of wild caught salmon).

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: Organic, Cold Pressed, Solvent Free – Flax Seed Oil (1 Tablespoon/10 grams per day – Best source of alpha-linolenic acid); Mollecularly Distilled Fish Oil (1 Teaspoon per day – Best source of EPA/DHA).

6. Iodine (potassium iodide)

Deficiency: 6/10 show signs of deficiency and/or therapeutic need.

Symptoms: See – Iodine and the Body & Iodine and Disease

Recommended Foods: Most Kelp or Kombu has about 2500 mcg/gm. Other common seaweeds are much lower; for example, Nori (16 mcg/gm), Wakame (32 mcg/gm), Dulse (72 mcg/gm), Hijiki (629 mcg/gm).

Shellfish is variable, but some typical amounts of iodine are: Prawns (21mcg/100 g), (60mcg/100 g), Mussels (140mcg/100 g), Lobster (100mcg/100 g), Shrimp (100mcg/100 g). For a complete list, pleas go to Iodine in Food.

Recommended Nutritional Supplements: Iodoral – 50mg’s per day for three months, then 12.5mg per day. Do not start on Iodine without first consulting your physician!

My theory has developed over a 20 year period of time and holds credibility as a corollary to the long-standing law in anatomy and physiology known as – Wollf’s law.  Wolff’s law, in short, states that, “bone remodels according to the physical stress placed upon it.”  As an example: a pitcher’s, pitching arm (humerus, radius and ulna) will be denser than his non-pitching arm.  The opposite of this is, if we lived in outer-space our bones would dissolve (osteoporosis) because of the lack of gravity; no weight-bearing load on the bones.  All of the calcium supplementation, estrogen replacement (for women), and Fosimax (medication) in the world would not prevent this process from happening.

My theory takes Wollf’s law to the next level and states, “Our entire body remodels according to the stress placed upon it: invisibly, physically, emotionally and chemically.” All four of these stressors or outside influences/forces, will directly affect the remodeling of every cell, tissue and physiological function of the body.  This means that our inward and outward appearance and physiological state is in direct correlation to the (way, what and/or how) we sleep, eat, drink, act, exercise, think, deal with stress, or are exposed to stress’ or outside forces.

Physical stress makes-up the largest portion of the overall stressors we will be subjected to on a daily basis. The foods we eat and how often, our exercise level or lack of exercise, chronic postures (work, driving and sleep), chemicals, pesticides, excessive alcohol, medicines, drugs and our body’s own waste products, all influence how we remodel.

If we ingest all of the essential nutrients that our body requires, with all other factors aside, our body will remodel properly. The opposite can be said for eating devitalized food, such as fast food, boxed or canned food; as well as being exposed to drugs, medicines, alcohol, pesticides, toxins, etc… Examples: If we increase protein and weight bearing exercise, an increase in muscle mass and strength will be the result. If we increase fats and/or carbohydrates, combined with a lack of physical exercise, an increase in body fat, blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure will be the result. This is called: diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension. Exposure to toxins, pesticides, molds, drugs or excessive alcohol, may lead to cancer, ADHD and many other diseases.

Emotional stress placed on the body will have similar effects. If we feel or are exposed to happiness, joy or generosity, all good stress’ will facilitate a positive remodeling (ex. neurotransmitter and hormone production). If we feel or are exposed to anger, expressed or unexpressed resentment, blame or shame, all negative emotions, this will facilitate our body to remodel in a non-optimum way (increased inflammation on decreased endocrine and brain function – Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s).  The negative remodeling can lead to everything we don’t want to have our body experience, such as cancer, autoimmune disease and body degeneration. The positive remodeling will help increase the immune system and overall strength of the body, leading to a longer, healthier and more vibrant life.

Invisible forces (electromagnetic waves [radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays], gravity and ionizing radiation) are constantly present and can affect us as much as the overt chemical, emotional and physical forces do. The invisible forces, most of the time, actually precede and initiate the physical, emotional or chemical stress’ that causes the remodeling of our body’s cells or, more specifically, the cell membranes.

It’s easy to see from this, that everything we do or don’t do, and everything that is done to us, sometimes unknowingly, affects how our body remodels. This means how we look and how we functions.  The point I am trying to make here is that we can at least be “cause” of over a very large part of this and be responsible for what we do on a daily basis (eat, exercise, rest…) and what we allow around us. If we do not learn from this then we can go through life at “effect” like a stick floating down a river, out of control. By ignoring this theory, negative remodeling will be the outcome and all the negative consequences that come with it. The choice is ours.

©06 January 2009 Marcus Ettinger and AdvancedHealing.Com. All rights reserved (no portion of this may be re-printed or used without permission)