Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay May 2021 Edition

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G R F

HEALTHY

PLANET

SPECIAL EDITION

Women’s Wellness

Natural Mama

holistic

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Eco-Beauty

Sustainable Makeup Choices

Keeping Cats

Cancer-Free May 2021 | Tampa Bay-Edition | NATampa.com

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Tampa bay Edition

PUBLISHER Debbey Wilson

Editor Cheryl Hynes Design & Production Patrick Floresca contributing writer Eleanor Bailey sales & marketing Debbey Wilson CIRCULATION MANAGER Dean Wille accounting Susan Hoffman website Kyle Hass

OPERATIONS Amy Hass

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Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 32

22 INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

26 DEVAKI LINDSEY BERKSON on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health

30 Sustainably Stylish Eco-Fashion that’s Kind to the Planet

32 Baby Bites

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Healthy Homemade Food for Tiny Tummies

34 Stay Fit with

Bodywork Therapy

Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage

36 Natural Mama

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Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy

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38 HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

40 Curbing cancer in cats Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy

DEPARTMENTS 12 health briefs 14 eco tip 16 global briefs 26 wise words 30 green living 32 conscious eating

34 fit body 36 healthy kids 38 healing ways 40 natural pet 43 calendar 44 resource guide

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letter from publisher

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t’s a pleasure knowing so many people tune in to Natural Awakenings each month, accessing our luscious tactile magazine through local distribution points and/or cyberspace at

naTampa.com. Health-conscious readers of this magazine are helping accelerate public dialogue about holistic health and self-empowerment. In my travels and work as publisher of NA Tampa Bay, I talk with our readers, advertisers and other positive advocates and, I assure you, the natural health movement is alive and well in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Every May, the arrival of Mothers’ Day brings special focus on significant women in our lives and, through Natural Awakenings, a focus on women’s natural health and wellbeing. This May 2021 issue includes that timely focus along with our usual broad coverage of all-encompassing news and views.

Our feature article this month is entitled “Integrative Women’s Wellness” wherein writer Ronica O’Hara offers a comprehensive look at five top health concerns for women along with studied suggestions for what to do to make things better. It’s an empowering read.

Whatever you do this month, whatever special celebrations you choose to pursue, stay safe, interested and passionate about living. I hope this issue spurs that mode of thinking in new and exciting ways.

With an open heart and an open mind, enjoy reading on.

june

Coming Next Month

Treating Depression Naturally Plus: Integrative Approaches to Men’s Health

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health briefs

People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University. For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being”, which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of wellbeing, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.

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Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness

As convenient as store-bought baby food is, it can pose hidden dangers for infant brains, say U.S. congressional investigators. A report issued by the House of Representatives on February 4 found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals,” including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, in baby foods made by major companies Hain Foods, Gerber, Beech-Nut and Happy Family Organics. Walmart, Campbell Soup Company and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation. On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pledged to enact new standards, increase inspections and testing, and support research to lower baby food contaminants.

Low levels of exposure to heavy metals can cause serious, irreversible damage to children’s brain development, studies show. Naturally present in the environment, they enter baby foods through soil, water and air; companies attempt to minimize this impact through processing. In one example, Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best Organic, says it no longer uses brown rice, which can harbor arsenic.

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Nix Baby Foods that Harbor Toxic Metals

A natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for anxiety disorders that affect 40 million Americans is as close as our beds, say University of California at Berkeley researchers.

In Nature Human Behaviour, they reported that a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30 percent rise in anxiety levels, but a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions. The type most apt to calm and reset the anxious brain is deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement, slow-wave sleep during which neural oscillations become highly synchronized and heart rate and blood pressure drop.

The researchers used brain scans to identify anxiety levels in 48 volunteers after nights of deep or restless sleep. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal without enough brake,” says the study’s senior author Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology. A second survey of 280 people online found that the amount and quality of sleep people experienced from one night to the next predicted how anxious they would feel the next day. Even subtle nightly changes in sleep affected anxiety levels.

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Sleep Deeply to Reduce Anxiety

Avoid Coffee When Pregnant to Safeguard Brain Development

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A mother’s coffee drinking during pregnancy can change important pathways in an infant’s developing brain, raising the risk of behavioral issues, attention difficulty and hyperactivity years later, say researchers at the University of Rochester, in New York.

Analyzing thousands of brain scans of 9- and 10-yearolds, researchers found clear changes in how white matter tracks, which form connections between brain regions, were organized in children whose mothers reported consuming caffeine while pregnant. “These are sort of small effects and it’s not causing horrendous psychiatric conditions, but it is causing minimal, but noticeable behavioral issues that should make us consider long-term effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy,” says John Foxe, Ph.D., principal investigator of the university’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study.

Previous studies have found that a fetus does not have enough of the enzyme necessary to break down caffeine when it crosses the placenta.

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Sip Non-Alcoholic Beer to Improve Liver Disease Non-alcoholic beer is booming, with U.S. sales up by 39 percent last year, and it now poses a health benefit as a study-proven dietary supplement for people with cirrhosis of the liver. Many nutritional supplements don’t work for such patients because of limited availability, cost, poor taste and side effects such as bloating, nausea and abdominal pain. Theorizing that non-alcoholic beer has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to consume while having many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, Mexican researchers provided 43 liver cirrhosis patients with dietary improvements and simple exercise routines. Half the patients drank non-alcoholic beer with their meals; the control group drank water. After eight weeks, the non-alcoholic beer group showed improvements in blood vessel health, exercise performance levels and muscle mass, along with a better perceived quality of life compared to the control group.

“A clear trend towards an improvement in social function and mental health was observed in the group receiving non-alcoholic beer,” conclude the authors in World Journal of Hepatology. “Moreover, hops have been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress over a four-week period, partially explaining the results found.”

May 2021

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Eco-Cosmetics Choosing Sustainable Beauty Products

Sustainability to-do list:

n Say no to single-use sheet masks wrapped in plastic or made of petroleumbased materials. Easier, eco-friendly swaps abound, such as cucumber slices for puffy eyes. n Go with glass packaging instead of plastic. Glass is recycled more easily and doesn’t release harmful toxic chemicals.

n Support, applaud and purchase refillable products.

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n In certain areas of the country, #1 and #2 plastic containers commonly used

Beauty is a $49 billion industry in the U.S. That’s a lot of plastic lipstick cases and shampoo tubes buried in landfills and breaking down into microplastics that leach poisonous chemicals into the world’s oceans and our drinking water. As consumers, we can vote with our wallets, sending a clear message to makeup and skincare brands: We want the planet to be beautiful, too.

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in the beauty industry are not accepted at local recycling centers. TerraCycle. com offers a mail-in solution with free shipping labels for packages weighing more than 15 pounds. Among the recyclable items accepted through this program are lip balm tubes, soap dispensers, shampoo and conditioner caps, hair spray triggers, lipstick cases, mascara tubes, eye shadow cases, foundation packaging and lip liner pencils.

Eco-friendly beauty brands:

n By Humankind (ByHumankind.com) is reducing use of single-use plastics. n LOLI (LoliBeauty.com) is a zero-waste brand that uses food-grade glass yogurt jars that can be repurposed in the kitchen. n Cadence (KeepYourCadence.com) offers refillable containers as an alternative to wasteful, travel-size products. n Beautycounter (Beautycounter.com) has pledged to eliminate unit cartons; decrease its use of virgin plastic; use recycled, recyclable, reused or compostable packaging; and create refillable products.

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EVERGLADES UNIVERSITY 10 Courses of Interest in Alternative Medicine

1

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Antioxidants

Introduction to Chiropractic

This course defines antioxidants and discusses how antioxidants are used to counteract disease, slow various aging processes and assist in providing essential ingredients needed for optimum health.

An overview of the principles and philosophy of Chiropractic, its application and development, basic sciences, clinical applications, and treatment approaches.

9 Introduction to

2 The Herbal

Homeopathy

Medicine Chest

An advanced study of the practical application of herbology for various medical conditions, methods for first aid and home care.

3 Ayurvedic Medicine

The study of ayurvedic medicine, India’s traditional natural system of medicine.

This course addresses the science, traditions, principles and treatments of Ayurveda.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Alternative Medicine enables graduates to become well-rounded, educated professionals with a broad basis for decision making in the ever-changing field of healthcare. Everglades University is proud to be one of the few regionally accredited universities delivering such a comprehensive degree program.

Everglades University’s Unique Class Scheduling allows undergraduate students to take one class at a time and complete it in one month. This concentrated approach permits students to focus on each subject and provides individualized attention in a caring and professional environment.

5 Dietary Influences on 7 Naturopathy Disease

Students gain knowledge, skills and competency on the association between nutrition and the development and management of chronic disease.

6 Traditional Chinese 4 Principles of Acupuncture

A comprehensive review of the theory and practices of acupuncture. This course explores the philosophy, techniques, and practices used in Chinese medicine.

Medicine

An introduction to the traditional medicine used by the Chinese. This course explores the philosophy, techniques, and practices used in Chinese medicine.

The history, concepts, and principles of naturopathy are traced from Hippocrates through the 20th century.

Fundamental principles of this healing art are discussed in depth.

An overview of the principles and philosophy of homeopathy, its application and development, and the history of the conflict between homeopathy and allopathic medicine.

10 Detoxification & Healing

Topics include the main organs and detoxification systems in the body, the role of antioxidants in detoxification, the connection between toxicity and common diseases, and how to support the body’s natural detoxification process.

“Everglades has helped me reach my goal of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in a quick fashion. I currently work at a herbal shop, where I use my knowledge of herbal and holistic practices from my Alternative Medicine program at EU, to guide people towards the correct path for healing.” Dina Barona Morales, 2020, Bachelor’s in Alternative Medicine, EU Orlando

Summer semester starts May 10th, 2021.

Launch your career at Everglades University Tampa campus

www.EvergladesUniversity.edu

844.297.1715

Everglades University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Everglades University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

May 2021

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Climbing Time

Ark Park

World’s Largest Wildlife Highway Crossing Opens in San Antonio

photo courtesy of phil hardberger park conservancy

The new Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in the heart of San Antonio across a sixlane highway at Phil Hardberger Park. Private donations and a five-year bond program approved by voters helped fund the $23 million bridge, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S. Wildlife and vehicle collisions are a big problem across the country, increasing by 50 percent in 15 years, with an estimated 1 to 2 million large animals killed by motorists every year, according to National Geographic sources.

In the U.S., 21 threatened and endangered species face extinction partly because of traffic accidents. Wildlife crossings are seen as an effective solution to the problem, with fatality reductions of up to 95 percent, depending on the location. The San Antonio bridge is notable for its size—150 feet wide and 150 feet long—and that it accommodates people, too. Animals in the 330-acre park that benefit from the bridge include ringtails, squirrels, coyotes, lizards, raccoons and deer. They are using it as intended, and it also serves as a habitat for native plants.

Critters React to Warming Temperatures in the Rockies

A 13-year study at the University of Colorado at Boulder published in the journal Ecology reveals that the popular goldenmantled ground squirrel and 46 other species of rodents and shrews in Colorado are climbing uphill to escape warming temperatures in the state. The report states that, on average, the ranges of the animals have shifted more than 400 feet in elevation since the 1980s. Montane mammals, or those already living at higher elevations like the ground squirrel, have moved up 1,100 feet on average. It‘s a significant change that could rob them of their environmental niche. The same species may be harbingers of larger and more urgent changes in the Rocky Mountains.

Colorado has warmed by nearly 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1980s because of human-caused climate change. As the state continues to heat up, scientists say that ponderosa pine forests and other mountain ecosystems will have to move higher to find cooler weather.

Beginning in 2008, the team visited multiple sites in Colorado’s Front Range and San Juan mountains to collect records of the current ranges of 47 species of rodents and shrews. They compared their findings with approximately 4,500 historic records from museum collections dating back to the 1880s and included animal specimens stored at the university museum, which houses nearly 12,000 mammals from Colorado.

Ah-Choo!

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Climate Change Makes Pollen Season Worse for Allergy Sufferers

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A new study by the University of Utah published in the journal PNAS found that pollen seasons have been getting longer and more intense in North America over the last 30 years, aggravating asthma and weakening defenses against respiratory viruses, resulting in more emergency room visits that disrupt lives. Researchers comparing pollen metrics between 1990 and 2018 from 60 monitoring stations indicate that seasons are starting up to 20 days earlier and lasting up to eight days longer, affecting millions of allergy sufferers. The study looked at variable factors such as temperature, rainfall, frost days and carbon dioxide concentrations, and found that an increase in mean annual temperatures was the strongest driver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19 million adults have been diagnosed with hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder from plants that can come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth and throat.

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global briefs

Gas Utilities Knock Electric Appliances

As cities phase out the installation of gas lines in new buildings to cut down on methane emissions, gas utilities have been staging adversarial campaigns nationwide. In Santa Barbara, California, residents received warnings that a gas ban would dramatically increase their bills. The Pacific Northwest group Partnership for Energy Progress, funded in part by Washington state’s largest natural gas utility, Puget Sound Energy, has spent at least $1 million opposing heating electrification in Bellingham and Seattle, including $91,000 on bus ads with the slogan, “Reliable. Affordable.

Natural Gas. Here for You.” In Oklahoma, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee, the industry has worked aggressively with state legislatures to pass laws to prevent cities from passing cleaner building codes.

The American Gas Association even has a website (aga.org) dedicated to promoting cooking with gas. Surveys have found that most people are open to switching water heaters and furnaces from gas to electric versions, so gas company advertising has made gas stoves a symbol of wealth, good taste and status for consumers, builders and realtors. Gas connections in American houses are at an all-time high, but as Americans realize that natural gas is a powerful contributor to climate change and source of air pollution, at least 42 cities have strengthened building codes to discourage expanding gas hookups in new construction.

May 2021

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Fuel Fight

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Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation & Ozonation (EBOO)

by Dr. David Minkoff

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early 200 years ago, doctors noticed that industrial workers (e.g. coal miners) had toxins (like mercury) seeping into their bodies, causing deadly diseases. Regardless of their findings at the time, it was largely presumed that most of the population not exposed to chemicals or coal dust was not at risk of any type of bacterial infection.

Fast-forward to the 21st century where the number of people sick due to environmental toxins has increased greatly due to an increase in air pollution, gas, pesticides and processed foods.

In turn, this has caused other types of illnesses to spawn and spread throughout the nation. From the water we drink and the food we eat to the air we breathe, everyone has toxins in their blood. Some people are affected more than others and

are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, mold toxicity, autoimmune disease or other chronic condition.

Finding ways to detox our bodies has not been an easy task. Doctors will often recommend dietary options that contain antioxidants and body detox cleanses. Of course, this is not a terrible route to take if someone is worried about becoming mold toxic and is taking preventive measures.

However, for those suffering with chronic illness, sometimes deeper treatments need to be considered, which is precisely the purpose of Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation, aka EBOO Therapy.

The purpose of EBOO is to combine the process of a blood autotransfusion and ozonation-oxygenation (i). This will allow the bloodstream to become ozonated during which process the body will have a full

in-depth cleansing of all toxins. (An EBOO treatment is similar to a dialysis machine that cleans the blood through a filter.) During the EBOO procedure, the blood will flow through a tube into a filter to extract all harmful bacteria. Afterwards, ozone and oxygen are added to the blood before it is returned to the body.

This treatment is very efficient in extracting physical debris left over from chronic infections and systemic inflammation, although some debate that this is also the purpose of two important organs: the kidney and the liver. Indeed, their purpose is to ensure that poisons, fats, sugars, etc. are extracted and expelled through our urine and stool. EBOO, however, extracts the debris that our kidneys and liver cannot, like environmental toxins. Here are a few toxins that EBOO can remove which the kidneys and liver cannot: • Endotoxins, which are fragments of pathogenic bacteria, mold infections and fungus • Biofilm, a sludge-like substance which pathogenic microbes create to hide in, and where the immune cells can’t penetrate • Debris from our own tissues that has been damaged by powerful pharmaceutical drugs or infected microbes (ii)

All patients must have specific bloodwork done before starting their first treatment.

People with abnormal blood issues such as blood clots should notify their practitioner immediately before a treatment is administered. Before the treatment begins, patients should have a full stomach and are recommended to avoid iron and copper supplements the day before, day of and day after treatment.

Patients are hooked up to two catheters that are inserted into a peripheral vein 18

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If someone suffers from cardiovascular disease, mold toxicity, Lyme disease, autoimmune disease, chronic viral infections, environmental toxins or heavy metal toxicity, they should try the safe and natural EBOO therapy. in each arm. The blood travels through the tube, enters through a filter, becomes saturated with ozone and oxygen, and is then returned to the body to make a complete circle. Most patients notice the color change of their blood from the moment it leaves their body to the moment that it returns. Usually, if a patient’s bloodstream is contaminated, the blood will enter through the tubes with a dark red hue. After the blood goes through the cycle and returns into the body, the color will transform into a brighter shade of red. Altogether, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour for about four to five liters of blood to be completely filtered. After the treatment, the filter will be full of toxins that were removed and the blood will reenter the body newly oxygenated. Most patients report feeling better than they did prior to treatment, commonly noting an energy boost and a decrease in brain fog.

EBOO is not widely known in the U.S. as there are only five clinics that offer it to patients. The procedure itself was established by the medical department at the University of Siena, in Italy, in the late 90s to early 2000s, and since then has grown widely throughout Europe, now gaining traction within the American medical industry.

Ozone, as an alternative treatment alone, has been around for many years and has proven to be extremely beneficial as a natural detoxifier, boosting the immune system, resetting the cell mitochondria, improving blood conditions, and reducing inflammation. EBOO has proven to be the most effective at detoxing the body of poisonous toxins and upgrading how ozone is used to treat chronic illnesses as a higher amount of concentrated ozone can now be delivered to the blood without the risks of external processing and reinjection.

If someone suffers from cardiovascular disease, mold toxicity, Lyme disease, autoimmune disease, chronic viral infections, environmental toxins or heavy metal toxicity, they should try the safe and natural EBOO therapy. The condition of the patient determines the amount of EBOO to be received. Everyone will be ordered three treatments to start; how they feel after these will determine how many additional treatments they may need.

Dr. David Minkoff is co-founder and medical director of LifeWorks Wellness Center, in Clearwater, a foremost alternative health clinic in the U.S. LifeWorks is the first clinic on the East Coast to offer EBOO. If you are interested in learning more, call 727-466-6789 and/or visit LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com. See ad page 2.

References: i. ISCO3-MET-00-22-Extracorporeal-blood-oxygenation-ozonation-EBOO.pdf ii. Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation, Ozonation and Filtration (EBOO/F) (amaSkincare.com)

May 2021

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Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

by Les Cole, MD

T

o start this topic, we will talk first about how your cells work. Your genes do only one thing. They carry the code (or design) for proteins. Everything that happens in your cells, in your body, gets done by your proteins—they are the machines of your cells. Think of your body as a factory whose job is, through these protein machines, to make YOU and keep you healthy. Making those machines and then keeping them in good repair is job number one!

If you have Type 2 diabetes, it is because you have too much insulin. How does that happen? There are only a few things that cause your pancreas to produce insulin. Sugar is the major stimulator.

Insulin is a hormone of growth, so-called anabolic. It pushes sugar into all your cells for energy and into your liver and muscle for storage to use later. It also pushes the extra sugar you eat that cannot be stored (your sugar storage tank can hold only so much) into your liver to convert it to fat.

It then pushes this newly formed fat into your fat cells. That is by far the greatest function of your insulin, but it also pushes 20

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digested protein you eat (amino acids) into your cells to make new proteins (job one from above), so protein you eat also stimulates your insulin secretion. Finally, as noted above, insulin pushes fat (both that converted from sugar and fat you eat) into your fat cells for storage, but unlike sugar and to a lesser extent protein, eating fat does not stimulate your insulin at all!

So, when you eat too much sugar and too many processed carbs, you are causing more insulin production and you fill up your sugar storage and then begin to store fat (gain weight). If you continue this process, eventually your sugar and fat storage get too full, and it takes higher and higher levels of insulin to try to push your excess sugar and fat into already overstuffed cells—you are “insulin resistant” at this stage. Following this, your blood sugar and triglycerides go up and you develop Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver (and other organs) and hyperlipidemia.

The high blood sugar irreversibly attaches itself to your protein machines (called advanced glycation endproducts-AGEs), incapacitating them—a wrecking ball to NATampa.com

the machines inside your body-factory.

This leads to all the damage that occurs to your body: loss of limbs, eyesight, kidney and heart function, and early death as a result of diabetes. The high triglycerides cause damage to your pancreatic islet cells that make your insulin and eventually you cannot make your own and must take insulin shots to live.

You can reverse your Type 2 diabetes by lowering your insulin and repairing your protein machines simultaneously through food choices and a Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). Not only is this possible, but it has been proven in multiple scientific studies. But there is a point of no return; before you let that happen, reach out for the help which is now available.

Providing the ways and means for optimal health, naturally, Dr. Les Cole is available for consultation on the FMD and so much more, at St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, located at 2100 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Pete.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 727-202-6807 and/or visit StPeteHW.com. See ad right.

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Integrative

Women’s Wellness

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

by Ronica O’Hara

A

nyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago—one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything. “Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.”

That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects. These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.

moc.slexeP/ama kihsioaka tsadinoil

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Cancer About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is

lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked. The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/ rectum, pancreas and ovaries.

Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treatments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.”

Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain.

New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer.

Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past.

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test that analyzes cellfree fragments of DNA to detect cancer.

Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a lowdose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.

Heart Disease

One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that May 2021

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Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades.

New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat.

Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a catheter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than openheart surgery.

Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown.

Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.

Autoimmune Diseases The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical

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step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic!

About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighthleading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress.

Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet.

New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism.

Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substance-abuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum.

Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston meta-study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.

Hormonal Imbalances The past 20 years has seen significant improvements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in

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heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.”

Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack. Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease.

Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.”

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer.

Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss.

New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found.

the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.

terns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches.

Depression

Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show.

Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.”

Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent.

Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping pat-

New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk.

Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation.

Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormonesensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy, but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences.

Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at May 2021

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wise words

Devaki Lindsey Berkson on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health

by Linda Sechrist

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ormone scholar Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson, a nutrition and gut expert as well as a continuing education professor for medical doctors and pharmacists, frequently lectures at conferences to clarify misinformation about hormones, such as the difference between synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and plantbased bio-identical hormone therapy (BHT).

This peer-reviewed, published researcher is the bestselling author of Safe Hormones Smart Women and Sexy Brain: How Sizzling Intimacy & Balanced Hormones Prevent Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Depression & Divorce and a breast cancer survivor of 26 years.

Why do you refer to hormones as nature’s physiologic internet system?

Hormones send invaluable “email” signals to cells throughout the entire body and brain.

What is the difference between HRT and BHT? Synthetic hormones are altered by pharmaceutical companies to make them profitable. Bioidentical hormones are like those made by the body and designed by Mother Nature. I advise tracking hormone levels every decade throughout life to determine which levels help an indi-

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vidual feel their best. Unfortunately, doctors are still being taught that hormones are mainly important for reproductive or sexy things, addressing issues like peri- or post-menopause, andropause, erectile dysfunction or disease.

How did the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) affect the use of hormones?

Up until 2002, when WHI prematurely stopped one of its hormone study groups which was prescribed a combination of Premarin plus synthetic progesterone, estrogen therapies were the recommended standard of care for menopausal women and the biggest-selling pharmaceuticals in history. Medical journals, research institutions and expert cancer doctors accepted that estrogen was safe and did not increase the risk of breast cancer.

Carried out by the U.S. National Institutes of Health from 2002 to 2008, WHI conducted a series of 40 group studies following the health of 161,809 postmenopausal women. Studies covered various aspects of aging women’s health from diet, bone health and nutrients to heart health and the risk of hormonedriven cancers, as well as two randomized trials on hormone therapies. The resulting claims that the HRT combo of Premarin plus synthetic progestin significantly increased the risks of breast cancer, cardiac events, Alzheimer’s disease and

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stroke alarmed the public and huge numbers of U.S. doctors stopped prescribing hormones.

What has changed?

By 2004, re-analysis of the combo study demonstrated opposite findings, and a 19-year follow-up WHI analysis revealed that estrogen protects against breast cancer while on it and even 10 years after, while progestins do the opposite. Dr. Leon Speroff, professor at the University of Oregon and the physician who authored Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, twice concluded after reviewing every statisti-

cal nuance of the WHI, “There continues to be good reason to believe that there are benefits associated with treatment, including improvement of quality of life beyond the relief of hot flushes, maximal protection against osteoporotic fractures, a reduction in colorectal cancers, maintenance of skin elasticity and the possibility of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s.”

Although new science clearly showed that hormones rule body and brain health and are critical for staying healthy, fighting illness long-term rather than short-term and lowering mortality timing by preventing heart attacks and strokes, CEOs of Big Pharma companies that provided the synthetic hormones used in the WHI trials continued to fight hard against BHT formulated by compounding pharmacists. Now these very same CEOs have released a BHT combination of estradiol and progesterone and are writing

in peer review studies about how much better and safer it is. Big Pharma intends be the sole source of supply. They plan to do that by eliminating their competition: compounding pharmacies.

What is your experience with compounding pharmacists?

The FDA purports that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Not true. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. I’ve successfully been using compounding pharmacies for more than 30 years. A compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed. Their knowledge can provide a wealth of experience for doctor and the patient. Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe

product that is unique for a particular patient.

Hormones are so critical that even if you’re prescribed HRT, it’s better than losing out for decades on the hormone signals that keep your body younger and less inflamed. To be without healthy hormone signals is an aging and pro-inflammatory process to the body. In other words, get hormones any way you can.

While synthetic is better than nothing, bioidentical trumps synthetic.

DrLindseyBerkson.com offers a podcast archive, blog, newsletter and membership opportunities that include live, monthly, Zoom conversations.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

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The Gifts of Mercury Retrograde

by Aluna Michaels, M.A.

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eople often get unnecessarily anxious when they hear “Mercury retrograde”. This common event is certainly nothing to fear, and learning more about it may actually help you look forward to it! This year, Mercury retrogrades May 29 to June 25 and September 27 to October 17. (We have already experienced January 29 to February 20.)

Astrologically, Mercury rules communication, mechanical items and transportation. It represents telephones, computers, cars, travel and machinery. Mercury is your own individual thinking process, getting errands accomplished, leaving messages.

Generally, Mercury helps your day run smoothly and allows you to be “in the flow”.

In mythology, Mercury is the god of communication and the divine messenger.

One of his jobs was to bring spiritual information from Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, to people on Earth. He also brought prayers from humans up to the gods.

Spiritually, the role of Mercury symbolizes your ability to connect with your Higher Self, which Mount Olympus represents. Mercury is that quicksilver ability that links you with divine knowledge and instant “downloads”. These pieces of information might be profound or they might be simple bits of guidance that make life easier for you.

When Mercury is direct, you often have a clear link with your intuition, especially with a regular meditation practice. Maybe you take your internal guidance for granted. Now, planets of

course do not actually go backwards. But from our point of view on Earth, it frequently appears that Mercury stops and turns backwards, and then stops and goes forward again. It’s an illusion created by our perspective in the solar system.

Mercury turns retrograde about three times a year for approximately three weeks.

You might have come to dread these times.

Things get lost in the mail. The car breaks down. Important voice mails or emails never reach their destination. Misunderstandings and frustrations arise. It takes forever to get across town in traffic. All the areas that Mercury rules go haywire.

Why does this have to happen?

Mythology holds some answers. Mercury was a young god and loved to play tricks on his family. He was the trickster and a pain-in-the-butt kid who drove the gods crazy with silly pranks. One way to handle Mercury retrograde is to have a sense of humor. If you get riled up about things, Mercury seems to play more tricks on you.

But when the prankster realizes he can’t get to you, the teasing lightens up.

On a deeper level, Mercury retrograde is asking you to slow down your normal pace. In making regular stuff complicated, Mercury causes you to be more conscious of your day-to-day existence. It’s easy to be somewhat robotic when everything goes smoothly. With Mercury retrograde, you have to think more clearly about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and where you’re headed.

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Mercury retrograde reveals another layer of spiritual awareness. For the ancient Greeks, Mercury (who they called Hermes) had another task beyond messenger and occasional troublemaker. He also had the role of “psychopomp”, which means “conductor of the soul”. He led departed souls to the underworld, which wasn’t hell as we think of it today. The ancient Greeks saw the underworld as a place of contemplation of the life just lived.

During retrograde times, allow Mercury to lead you into the depths of your unconscious mind. This is your own personal “underworld”. What’s going on in your underworld? Are you being run by negative thoughts? Maybe you need to forgive yourself or others so you can break out of limiting patterns. What talents and strengths have you buried and neglected?

Deeper meditations are possible during Mercury retrograde. Tell your soul you’re willing to see the root of your difficulties.

Surrender to the unknown and don’t be afraid to explore the dark recesses of your mind. You may have breakthroughs that illuminate your issues in a more freeing way.

You might have dreams that reveal profound answers to longstanding problems.

Once Mercury goes direct, you’ll emerge into the light with added insights, greater healing and increased vigor to accomplish your next spiritual steps. You’ll feel the playful enthusiasm and reassuring smoothness of life once again.

Mercury represents the spiritual ability to adapt to new circumstances and flow gracefully between various modes of life. By all means, enjoy the easy times and effortless connection with your soul. With these new perspectives, hopefully, you will also look forward to the sacred healing opportunities that Mercury retrograde offers!

Aluna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than three decades. Her book, Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological Signs, is now on Amazon in Kindle version and as an E-book on her website. Aluna lives in Clearwater and is available for appointments in her home, by phone or Zoom. Call or text 248-583-1663 or visit AlunaMichaels.com. See ad page 44.

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green living

Sustainably Stylish Eco-Fashion that’s Kind to the Planet

by Kajsa Nickels

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lost globally every year from rarely worn manufactured clothing and the lack of recycling. The greenhouse gas emissions from the production of these textiles total more than 1 billion metric tons per year, more than produced by international flights and maritime shipping combined.

Sustainable clothing is important for both the planet and those wearing the clothing, says Jeff Garner, a fashion designer in Franklin, Tennessee, who founded the eco-label Prophetik. “The worst effect is the washing of clothes. The synthetic fabrics and dyes come off in the laundry process and go into our groundwater and oceans, including the microplastics from polyester clothing.”

Jay Charlton, founder of the UK’s Viva la Vegan fashion brand, believes eco-friendly fashion does not have to be poorly produced or poorly designed. Nor does it mean choosing between a million different options, says Charlton, who found her passion for vegan-statement apparel after adopting a vegan diet. “One easy choice here is organic cotton over conventional cotton. While not perfect, it is better for the environment. Most organic cotton is produced under better working conditions for the farmers, too,” she says.

She also stresses the importance of reading labels to determine where clothes originate. “The next time you go shopping, seek out sustainable vegan fabrics and fair wear policies to do what’s right for the planet, people and our animal friends.”

he trendy “fast fashion” industry standard that originated in the early 1990s has had far-reaching effects that continue today. With a production turnaround time as short as four months, designer knock-offs made with inexpensive materials line the shelves of shopping centers throughout the world. But cheap textiles come with a hidden price tag.

According to the documentary The True Cost, consumers worldwide buy around 80 billion new items of clothing per year, a 400 percent increase from 20 years ago. A report by the UK-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which advocates a regenerative, circular economy, found that more than $500 billion in value is

Sustainable Yet Stylish

image courtesy of FairIndigo.com

Clothing from companies like Fair Indigo use more sustainable fabrics and ensure better lives for garment workers.

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Just because something is safe for people and the planet doesn’t mean it can’t also be fashionable. Fair Indigo, located in Madison, Wisconsin, is a sustainable clothing company that specializes in garments made from organic Peruvian pima cotton. According to president and co-founder Robert Behnke, Peruvian pima cotton is prized for its longevity and durability. “We want to show the world that organic and sustainable does not have to be either too ‘crunchy’ or too trendy. The clothes that people wear every day— the clothes that make them feel comfortable—these are the brands that will have the greatest impact in truly changing the world.”

Fashion doesn’t have to be brand-new in order to be in style.

Although secondhand clothing has been regarded negatively in the past by some, it has become more popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Market researchers predict that resale clothing sales will increase 185 percent in the

image courtesy ofVivaLaVegan.com

next decade compared to 20 percent for fast fashion. Creative ways we can help reduce clothing waste while staying in style include the following: Clothing exchange parties. Friends and family members can swap clothes and nonsized items such as purses, hats and scarves in fun, socially distanced events.

Creative mending. People that have extra time on their hands may like to learn a new skill. Also known as visible mending, creative mending includes freestyle stitching around holes and tears, and both beaded and Japanese shashiko embroidery.

Repurpose into something new. If an item of clothing is beyond repair, it doesn’t have to be thrown away. Old T-shirts can be turned into blankets, pillowcases and even coin purses. Men’s dress shirts can be transformed into dresses for young girls or onesies for babies.

Kajsa Nickels is a freelance writer in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Contact her at Kajsa.BlueMountain@gmail.com.

GROW Your Businesss!

Contact 727-865-9339 for ad rates.

Embrace plantbased workout clothes from companies like Viva la Vegan.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.

These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. ~Joseph Addison May 2021

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conscious eating

Baby Bites Healthy Homemade Food for Tiny Tummies

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Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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or the first year of a baby’s life, breast milk and formula are the main sources of nutrition, but as early as 4 to 6 months, a little one may be suited to try solid foods.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when a baby consistently holds their head up, has started to sit upright, has doubled their birth weight to a minimum of 13 pounds and exhibits an interest in food, they are ready.

Anjali Shah, a board-certified health coach and author of The Super Easy Baby Food Cookbook, is a proponent of homemade purées and soft finger foods. “A store-bought sweet potato pouch can cost $2.50, whereas one sweet potato is under a dollar, and you can get multiple meals out of it,” says Shah. “So, budget-wise, it’s a lot cheaper. It’s also healthier because you can control what’s in your baby food.”

The process is easy. “If you have a spoon and a fork, that’s a pretty good start, and if you have a blender, that’s really all you need,” says Amy Palanjian, author of Busy Little Hands: Food Play! and blogger at YummyToddlerFood.com. A very basic technique, which both she and Shah employ, involves boiling or steaming vegetables and fruits, puréeing them with a fork or blender to the desired smoothness and freezing one-ounce portions in ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be popped out, kept in labeled freezer bags and thawed to serve.

They recommend a progression from thin, smooth purées to chunkier blends, and from very mild, single foods to progressively more adventuresome and complex flavors and textures. “Start with a really mild fruit like avocado or a really mild vegetable like carrots, green beans or sweet potato,” Shah advises. “Introduce one food every two or three days to make sure your baby is not allergic and that it suits their digestive system.”

In addition to purées, parents can offer their babies small-cut, softened versions of foods that they can hold in their hands and gnaw, a technique called baby-led weaning. “Your baby will pick it up with their fists, stick it in their mouth and drool all over it and gum it up. It teaches them to chew very early on,” Shah explains.

“Kids need healthy fats for proper brain development,” Palanjian says, suggesting a splash of olive oil in a broccoli purée or a dab of peanut butter in oatmeal. She also favors healthy proteins like a purée made with hard-boiled egg yolk slathered on a piece of toast or a well-blended bit of salmon.

“At 7 or 8 months, you can add lentils, beans and grains, and around 9 or 10 months you can start introducing mild spices—cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, coriander. For example, if you’re going to make a lentil soup for yourself, you could add a few fresh, aromatic herbs like rosemary, oregano or thyme, and then for your baby, you can mash up that same lentil soup and serve it to them.

The key is to avoid the hot spices like black pepper, cayenne or chili powder,” Shah says, noting that salt should be avoided in the first year because a baby’s kidneys cannot handle it. Added sugar is also a big no-no in her book.

“The best way to feel like you’re feeding your baby safe food is to serve a variety of foods over the course of a week,” Palanjian says. “But most of all, learn to enjoy this phase of your baby’s life. It can be a fun milestone. Let them explore. Trust them if they turn their face, close their mouth or push the spoon away. There’s no reason you need to force another bite. Let them show you and be in charge of what goes into their mouth. That can be a great way to set the foundation for intuitive eating.

We want them as adults to be able to say when they’re hungry and when they’re full, and we often have the tendency to try to override that in our kids. So, if you let that develop as it very clearly does and is present from birth, that can be a great thing to do with little ones.”

viktor/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

1 cup frozen wild blueberries 1 pear, cored ½ banana, peeled 1 cup baby spinach ¼ to ½ cup water Put all of the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer until soft. Once soft, purée in a blender, adding additional water if needed for a thinner purée. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze for up to four months.

Baby Superfood Purée 16 oz fresh or frozen broccoli 16 oz fresh or frozen cauliflower 4 cups baby spinach ¼ to ½ cup water

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Baby Blueberry Smoothie

eiliv sonas aceron/Unsplash.com

Easy DIY Baby Food Recipes

Put all of the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer until soft.

Once soft, purée in a blender, adding additional water if needed for a thinner purée.

Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze for up to four months.

anaumenko/AdobeStock.com

Recipes courtesy of Anjali Shah. For more information, visit PickyEaterBlog.com.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.

May 2021

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fit body

Stay Fit with Bodywork Therapy Enhance Workout Performance and Recovery with Massage

by Marlaina Donato

Tailored Tools “In the context of exercise, someone who trains three to five times per week at a high intensity will likely have a higher level of fitness. However, the demand placed on the soft tissue structures will equally be high, and may require more treatment to offset this. This may vary from once a week to once a month,” says Andy Stanbury, head of soft tissue therapy at Pure Sports Medicine, a London clinic for sports injuries.

After working with high performance athletes for 15 years, he always asks, “What do I need to add to improve a patient’s fitness or performance?” For a patient that wants to improve fitness by running, “I would want to optimize their range of movement and stimulate the nervous system in readiness to exercise. I may look to use some myofascial release techniques, active release therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or muscle energy techniques. This would of course take place before the run.” For post-run recovery, Stanbury suggests more relaxing modalities, such as gentle massage, combined with breathwork.

The Fascia Factor Fascia, a network of connective tissue, wraps the body in protective layers from the most superficial muscle to the deepest organs and plays a central role in flexibility.

This complex netting can become stuck due to inactivity, injury or surgery. Keeping it 34

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herapeutic massage and other bodywork modalities are well-known stress-busters, but they can also hasten recovery after a workout or injury. A little restorative TLC with a bodywork practitioner before or after exercise can combat post-workout soreness and stiffness, maximizing our fitness investments in and out of the gym.

Approaches such as Swedish, deep tissue and sports massages, and myofascial trigger point release therapy can boost both blood and lymphatic circulation, giving soft tissues a vital shot of cellular nutrition. Massage modalities affect biochemical processes and on the deepest level, mitochondria—the cell’s energyproducing engines. Research from 2015 published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that massage immediately following injury due to resistance training encourages tissue regeneration.

supple is vital for everyone.

Bodywork like myofascial release that targets trigger points—knots of tension—can help to ramp up postoperative and overall injury recovery. “Myofascial release is a technique used to reduce the tension in the fascial membrane. Slowly stretching the fascia will unwind and reduce the pressure on the muscles and nerves, reducing pain and creating range of motion and flexibility,” explains Anthony Hansen, a myofascial release therapist at Therapy on the Gulf, in Naples, Florida.

Hansen, who specializes in a “fast release” technique, emphasizes the importance of a gentle approach. “Trigger points are caused by cellular debris encapsulated by the fascia, so it’s much better to stretch it loose than it is to force it. Normally, it takes about three to five sessions, depending on the condition of the patient, for the fascial system to unwind before the patient will feel relief.”

Active trigger points refer, or radiate,

pain elsewhere in the body while latent points tend to be more localized and are sore when compressed. “From a whole-body perspective and when we put this in the context of fascial planes, restoration of efficient movement is key, particularly post-surgery and when progressing training load,” says Stanbury. “However, this is not just movement of the body (muscles), but movement of blood, lymph and energy.”

A supple, tension-free body helps deter and bounce back from injuries. Regular bodywork, especially Swedish and deep tissue massage, fosters muscle recovery and helps prevent future issues. Self-massage using foam rollers and massage balls or canes can also be very helpful.

Bodywork offers full-spectrum perks, points out Stanbury, including “improved tissue mobility and elasticity, more efficient blood circulation and reduced anxiety and stress. This will, in turn, help promote better sleep, which is, of course, where we recover best.”

Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author and composer/ recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Modalities to Help Ease Pain and Strain Swedish Massage: Gentle, gliding strokes to stimulate circulation, lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension.

Deep Tissue Massage: Specific, focused massage to break up muscle congestion and reduce restrictions.

Sports Massage: Offered at many gyms, physical therapy facilities and recreational sports events for recovery and prevention.

Muscle Energy Techniques: Stretching and hands-on techniques that enable gentle muscle contraction to improve joint function and lengthen muscles.

Myofascial Release: Modalities that specifically target trigger points in the muscles and fascia to release adhesions, increase oxygen and reduce pain and tightness include the following: Active Release Therapy: May be beneficial for chronic pain due to repetitive movements, especially where muscle weakness, numbness or tingling/burning is experienced in the soft tissues.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: Also known as the Graston technique, practitioners use an array of hand-held instruments for deep trigger points in the fascia and muscles—beneficial after injuries and conditions such as piriformis, muscle-induced sciatica and back pain.

Myofascial Cupping: A technique that employs cups to create suction on the muscle tissue to move lymph and blood through the area of deep trigger points.

May 2021

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healthy kids

Natural Mama Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy

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by Julie Peterson

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uring her first pregnancy, Sarah Wallace, a former registered nurse in Atlanta, was chronically anemic. “I was so tired I would fall asleep while I was eating dinner,” she says. That pregnancy resulted in a baby with a low birth weight.

Fortunately, Wallace learned more about nutrition and wellness. Her now 4-year-old has caught up to the growth charts and is thriving, and her next pregnancy went smoothly.

No matter how pregnancy is counted—280 days, 40 weeks or three trimesters— mama and baby share blood, nutrition and air for the duration. “Taking a holistic path before and during pregnancy is about embracing the nature of our bodies and committing to maintaining all aspects of wellness during this journey,” says Nancy Peplinsky, founder of the Holistic Moms Network, based in Caldwell, New Jersey.

risk pregnancies and poor developmental outcomes in children,” says Peplinsky.

In addition to clean food, it’s important to reevaluate body care products and household cleaners for toxicity. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity and cancer.

Nutrition for Two

Body Love

The right foods nourish the growing baby, the placenta and the mother’s increasing blood volume, maintaining the mother’s body during the complex mission. Whole foods rather than processed are best. The Whole 9 Months: A Week-By-Week Pregnancy Nutrition Guide with Recipes for a Healthy Start, by integrative obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) Jennifer Lang and dietitian Dana Angelo White, makes it easier to select the proper nutrients along the way and provides ways to deal with nausea and cravings.

Choose organic foods when possible to reduce exposures to pesticides. If organic isn’t an option for every food, The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, from the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), can be downloaded and taken to the market.

Either avoid foods on the “Dirty Dozen” list or go organic for those items.

A high-quality prenatal vitamin fills nutrition gaps. Wallace saw a difference between her first and second pregnancy by switching brands. “The first time, I took generic prenatal vitamins. With the second pregnancy, I found whole-food supplements. I never got that exhaustion, and my second baby was a healthy weight,” she says.

“Research has shown that healthy nutrition during pregnancy improves outcomes for mom and baby, while unhealthy food choices can lead to premature childbirth, high36

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Kristen Burgess, in Fife Lake, Michigan, creator of the website NaturalBirthAnd BabyCare.com, teaches classes for momsto-be. “[Exercise] helps your blood volume increase, brings plenty of oxygen to your baby, increases your stamina and endurance for labor (which is an athletic event), and perhaps best of all, keeps you feeling great,” she writes in her blog.

Options such as stretching, walking and prenatal yoga can be soothing for mom and baby. Burgess also advocates prenatal belly dancing to raise the heart rate “while bonding with your baby and relishing your beautiful pregnant form.”

Peplinsky notes, “A holistic approach

to pregnancy also embraces integrative therapies such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic, which may assist in reducing stress, minimizing physical discomfort and joint pain, while improving overall life quality for mom and baby.”

A healthy pregnancy includes assistance. In the U.S., most women choose an OB-GYN, with just over 9 percent of 2017 births incorporating a midwife to support the mother before, during and sometimes after birth. A midwife is medically trained and, depending on state law, may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling and prescriptions. On her own or as an assistant to a doctor, she coaches the mother during labor and assists with the delivery, which may be in a home, birthing center or hospital. The American College of Nurse-Midwives, in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a midwife locator.

Another option is engaging a doula that focuses on emotional support for mom, her partner and the family during pregnancy and birth. During labor, she may offer massage, encouragement and breathing coaching. While doulas only provide non-medical care, they can offer evidence-based resources to inform decision-making. There is a database to find one at DoulaMatch.net.

There are also books and apps to provide week-to-week details on pregnancy.

Genevieve Howland, a childbirth educator in Destin, Florida, and author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, offers a weekly article at MamaNatural.com about what’s going on with the developing baby and mother.

“Being a holistic mom is about connecting the mind, body and spirit, and approaching wellness with all three in mind,” adds Peplinsky. “The more we listen to our instincts and our needs, the more our health improves during childbearing and afterwards.”

Julie Peterson writes about health and wellness. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@ gmail.com.

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Support Along the Way

Pregnancy Apps Tracking exercise, nutrition, baby bump images, the joys of the journey and the baby’s development are available options in a variety of apps. There are even apps for dads.

Ovia has many features that expand based on the data entered. It answers questions about food safety and medications, and even has a community feature to connect with other moms.

Hello Belly offers practical tips and a good dose of silliness with pregnancy jokes and memes. There are also yoga videos.

Glow Nurture can be customized, has community spaces, symptom trackers, reminders for appointments and a boatload of articles.

Expectful Pregnancy gives reminders to focus on joy by taking a moment to breathe or meditate. With guided sessions for pregnancy, moms-to-be can put regular meditation practices in place.

Sprout Pregnancy has a pregnancy timeline, weight tracker and journal. The 3-D images showing development of the baby are really cool, as well.

Who’s Your Daddy gives Dad a to-do list, weekly updates, a development timeline, suggestions for taking care of Mom and helps him pick baby names.

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Arnica montana

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

by Marlaina Donato

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homeo—meaning similar, and pathos—meaning suffering. Basically, it means that a substance has the power to cure the same symptoms it can create,” says Kate Birch, a certified classical homeopath at the HippHealth Center for Holistic Healing, in Minneapolis. “Moreover, the more a substance is diluted through homeopathic preparation, the more potent it can be for healing when given upon homeopathic indications.”

For most health conditions, including chronic complaints, homeopaths recommend tailoring remedies to an individual’s constitution, but first-aid applications are relatively universal and simple. Homeopathic first-aid can be administered for muscle strains, splinters, minor burns and even the common cold. Available in health food stores and pharmacies, homeopathic remedies come in various potencies in the form of pellets, tinctures and topical agents.

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Aconitum napellus

he 200-year-old health system of homeopathy is based on natural sources and is unique in its “like cures like” philosophy that uses extremely diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural defenses.

“The word homeopathy is derived from two words:

Soft Tissue Trauma, Burns and Bites

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Gentle Go-To Medicine Whether treating a child’s skinned knee or an athlete with a mild to moderate injury, regular potencies offer benefits without a high risk of unpleasant or dangerous contraindicaLedum palustre tions. “In general, homeopathic remedies are safe for people of all ages because if taken as directed, there are no side effects or drug interactions. This is due to the fact that remedies have been made through a process that renders the substances harmless,” says certified classical homeopath Myra Nissen, in Davis and Walnut Creek, California.

Classical homeopathic treatment is based on a person’s unique physical, emotional and mental nature, and requires deeper study to find the most appropriate remedies, but first-aid applications are most often universally straightforward. “A homeopathic first-aid kit at home is useful for cuts, burns, bumps and bruises, insect bites, poison oak/ivy and minor illnesses,” says Nissen.

Gentle, but beneficial Arnica montana is perhaps the best-known application, used for acute injury and post-surgery. In a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, a team of international researchers found Arnica to be more effective than a placebo for swelling, bruising and post-surgery pain, and suggested it could be an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Calendula is a heavy hitter for wound care, skin ailments, minor burns including sunburn, diaper rash and post-tooth extraction. It offers antiseptic and antiinflammatory properties and is available for topical and internal use.

Nissen highlights Rhus toxicdendron Ruta graveolens and Rhus toxicdendron for soft tissue injury and tendonitis and suggests Symphitum for serious damage to cartilage and ligaments. For puncture wounds or injuries involving nerves, Hypericum perforatum is helpful.

She emphasizes the importance of using remedies immediately and properly to maximize the potential for rapid healing

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Homeopathy to the Rescue

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healing ways

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and pain reduction.

Birch says that bee stings and allergic responses respond well to Apis mellificia and fevers and headaches to Belladonna.

Using Cantharis or Urtica urens for firstand second-degree burns can help to prevent blisters and minimize pain, while Silicea is a good choice for splinters.

In general, for all acute cases and injuries, remedies are often taken every hour and tapered down to every four hours upon signs of improvement or lessening of intensity. If Hypericum perforatum results are not seen within two days, it is best to discontinue the remedy.

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Fighting the Flu When taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, specially combined homeopathic formulas or single remedies can help to lessen severity and duration of certain viruses. Bryonia alba is useful for moderate fever, Gelsemium for general flu-like symptoms, Nux vomica for severe chills and nausea, and Arsenicum album for respiratory and stomach flus.

Homeopathic remedies, like all medications, should be properly stored and kept away from children and pets. Also, not all products labeled as homeopathic may be pure. Some products add homeopathic remedies to other ingredients that are not safe; for example, Arnica gel may have alcohol, preservatives and stabilizers, and be harmful if swallowed.

While homeopathy offers many benefits, Birch clarifies that it is not designed to be a quick fix and is best approached from a broader view or “a philosophy that shapes your day-to-day life. When you understand these things, once you have the right remedy, it produces instantaneous results.”

Homeopathic First-Aid Kit Suggestions from Myra Nissen Aconitum napellus: Known as Aconite, it is useful immediately after an injury when there is a shock or fright, such as a fall or a car accident.

Also helpful to fight off a cold after being exposed to a chill.

Apis mellificia: Helpful for insect bites which are red, hot and swollen, like a bee sting.

Arnica montana: Helpful for cuts and bruises.

Hypericum perforatum: Helpful for puncture wounds and injuries involving nerves such as catching a finger in the car door or hitting it with a hammer.

Ledum palustre: Helpful for puncture wounds and most insect bites.

Rhus toxicdendron: Helpful for itchy rashes, such as poison oak or ivy where there are blisters. A curious symptom that indicates Rhus tox is the right choice is when the itch is relieved by bathing or washing with very hot water.

Ruta graveolens: Helpful for sprains, strains, tendonitis and joint injuries.

Symphitum officinalis: Made from comfrey, also known as “bone knit”, it helps recovery from a broken bone or damaged cartilage and connective tissue.

Nux vomica: Go-to remedy for indigestion or overindulgence, including hangovers. It’s also useful in the event of food poisoning.

Phosphorus: Useful for nosebleeds, especially after blowing the nose.

Marlaina Donato is a body-mindspirit author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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natural pet

Curbing Cancer in Cats Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy

by Julie Peterson

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Diagnosis and Staging Cats instinctively hide pain, so it’s up to pet parents to detect unusual behaviors or symptoms. Karen Shaw Becker, a holistic veterinarian in Chicago who writes Mercola Healthy Pets, recommends that unusual bumps, sores that won’t heal, weight loss, offensive smell, low energy and difficulty eating indicate the need for evaluation by a veterinarian to rule out cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, a referral to a veterinary oncologist is likely. Pet owners can also search for one at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (ahvma.org).

Blood work, biopsies or aspirates, imaging and a thorough exam may be needed to determine the extent of the cancer and any possible complications.

These tests help ensure treatment is appropriate, tolerable and humane.

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Treatment Options Treatments vary based on the type, site and stage of cancer, the age and wellness of the cat and what is available and accessible to the owner. Traditional remedies may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. While not without side effects, cats tolerate these methods relatively well.

Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine may also be used. “Herbal therapies can be used with traditional cancer treatment to relieve side effects and to improve outcomes,” says veterinary oncologist Amanda Beck, at the University Veterinary Hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Clinical trials are another option. The Veterinary Cancer Society, in Columbia, Missouri, provides information on current research trials that “may involve novel diagnostic methods or therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical procedures, hypo- or hyperthermia, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy, among others.” While these trials may offer hope, each has

image courtesy of The Basket Cat

he absence of one back leg isn’t slowing down 13-year-old Cougar the cat. In fact, she is doing better than before, as that limb once had a painful tumor. Alyssa Baker Herbst, co-founder of the Autumn Farm Sanctuary, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was told that, even with chemotherapy, Cougar might only live three more months. Herbst sought out a veterinary oncologist at University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care for another opinion.

Amputation was recommended and done in December 2020.

Cancer isn’t uncommon in cats; the Animal Cancer Foundation, in Port Washington, New York, states that one in five cats will be diagnosed at some point. This equates to approximately 6 million cats being newly diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Comparative Oncology Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

very specific qualifications for participation and they may not be free.

Herbst did her own research after seeing the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi and learning about cancer patients using turkey tail mushrooms. “We found that dogs taking those mushrooms were living four times as long as dogs that got chemo,” she says. “We wondered if we could use that for Cougar.” Their veterinarian ensured they wouldn’t be harmful and determined an appropriate dosage.

Unfortunately, some feline cancers are extremely aggressive. It started in Doris Gassen’s cat, Meadow, with a few small bumps under the skin that quickly grew and multiplied.

“About six days after they first appeared, they were open and draining,” says Gassen, in Madison, Wisconsin. The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma was made and palliative care was implemented. Meadow crossed the rainbow bridge within a few weeks.

Preventive Measures Keeping cats at a healthy weight, giving them plenty of exercise opportunities and keeping them indoors more or entirely can all help reduce the risk of cancer. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to cancer, are usually contracted from feral cats outdoors.

Genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients such as corn, soy, alfalfa and cottonseed in pet foods are also culprits, because they can contain high concentrations of glyphosates. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, to be a probable human carcinogen, and research indicates that it does cause cancer in animals.

“Many experts who have studied animal dietary patterns in the wild agree that a whole-food diet composed of mostly meats, organs and bones, supplemented to a much lesser extent with vegetables, is the way to go for both cats and dogs,” says Ty Bollinger, the San Antonio-based author of The Truth About Cancer.

Keeping cats healthy throughout life with routine wellness care helps strengthen them against any illness or injury. And while quality of life for pets may be paramount, Cougar seems to be going for quantity, as well. “Clinically, Cougar is doing fantastic. She just can’t jump as high as she used to,” says Herbst. “She’s back to bullying the other three cats and hanging out with the dog. She’s feisty.”

Julie Peterson writes about health, wellness and environmental issues. Find her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

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C O R P O R A T I O N

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calendar of events Printed calendar is a gratis feature exclusively for advertisers who make this magazine possible. Non-advertisers are free to use the on-line calendar at NATampa.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 15

THURSDAY, MAY 20

Hypnosis & NLP for Weight/Diet Control – 1-3pm.

Interactive online. The Mind-Body Cohesion System developed by Patricia V. Scott, PhD, combines Hypnosis, NLP & Pivotal Response Conditioning to create new healthy habits, confidence & exercise motivation while eliminating blocks and limiting beliefs.

Includes hypnotic process, handouts & hypnosis recording for reinforcement. $35, $25/UPHI Members.

Register: 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

Nutritional Blood Analysis – 4:30pm. At this free, live Facebook Seminar, nutritional blood analysis is explained by Liana Kramer, DOM, from Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 Belcher Rd. S, Ste. 2, Largo. 727-826-0838. Facebook.com/PeaksOfHealth.

Medical Hypnotherapy Certification Early Registration Ends Today – Online Zoom training begins June 12 for certification through UP Hypnosis Institute with optional additional certification through International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association.

Learn advanced techniques, theory & practice. 200 hours prior hypnosis training required. Enroll by today: $725, $625/UPHI Members; After: $795/$695.

Includes workbook, PowerPoints, scripts & private coaching. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 Medical Hypnotherapy Two-Day Specialty Training – 9am-6pm, May 19 & 20. Two-day online Zoom training pre-conference at the IACT-IMDHA Hypno Expo. Patricia V. Scott, PhD and Dr. Eric Rosen offer advanced Medical Hypnotherapy techniques, theory & practice. Prior hypnosis training and/or knowledge needed. $275. Includes PowerPoints, scripts & Certificate of Completion. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 25 Hypnosis International Certification Early Registration Ends Today – Online training begins 6/13.

Receive two certifications: International Association of Counselors & Therapists and UP Hypnosis Institute. (Live training possible for “locals” in Dunedin, FL.) Learn basic & advanced techniques, medical uses, regression, parts integration, NLP & more. Enroll by today: $3095, $2895/UPHI Members; After: $3395/$3095. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12 Medical Hypnotherapy Specialty Certification Begins – 10am-3pm. Interactive online Zoom.

Certification through UP Hypnosis Institute (UPHI) with optional additional certification through International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association. Learn advanced medical hypnotherapy techniques, theory & practice. 200 hours prior hypnosis training required. Enroll by 5/15: $725, $625/UPHI Members; After: $795/$695. Includes workbook, PowerPoints, scripts & private coaching.

727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

Karen Panarelli, from Palm Harbor, shares this pix of her five-year-old Rosie, a black toy poodle, and Sunnie, an eight-year-old white mini poodle. Their loves include going for walks and their human sister, Hayley. Trés adorable!

SUNDAY, JUNE 13 Hypnosis International Certification Begins – Receive two certifications: International Association of Counselors & Therapists and UP Hypnosis Institute.

Learn basic & advanced techniques, medical uses, regression, parts integration, time-line techniques, smoking cessation, weight/diet control, NLP & more. Due to Covid, training is online Zoom; possibly limited live days for locals in Dunedin, FL. Enroll by 5/25: $3095, $2895/UPHI Members; After: $3395/$3095. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

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community resource guide

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide call 727.865.9339 or go to NATampa.com and request a media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Chris Dziubinski, DOM, AP, L. Ac 12952 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 813-935-CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com

Florida Board Certified Acupuncture Physician offering acupuncture therapies for the whole family. Established, comfortable, caring and professional integrative medicine clinics in South & North Tampa. In-network with most medical insurances; accept payments from HRA, HSA and FSA.

Natural Med Therapies Machelle Perkins, D.O.M. 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd # C, Largo 727-541-2211 NaturalMedTherapies.com

LIFEWORKS WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. David Minkoff Sue Morgan, APRN and Karima Redouan, APRN 301 Turner St., Clearwater 727-466-6789 LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com Specializing in Ozone Therapy, IV Therapy, Heavy Metal Detoxification, Neurological Issues, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Gut Issues, Thyroid Issues and IPT for Cancer treatment. See ad inside front cover.

Professional Herbalists Training Program Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies 2520 Central Ave., St. Petersburg 727-551-0857 AcuHerbals.com

Dr. Paula Giusto 310 South Brevard Ave., Tampa 813-253-2565 NaturalLivingChiropractic.org

Family chiropractic care, wellness care, nutritional counseling, neuromuscular massage therapy.

Jin Shin Jyutsu & craniosacral therapy.

Orthomolecular Nutrition & Wellness 9225 Ulmerton Rd., Ste. 312, Largo 727-518-9808 OrthoLiving.com.

We address the underlying root cause of disease by using a variety of modalities such as Nutrient IV’s, Chelation, Weight loss, HRT, PEMF, Ozone Therapy and more. To see if you qualify for Medical Marijuana go to OrthoMMJ.com.

apothecary Six Oaks Wellness Apothecary Carolyn Zinober, LMT, Esthetician, Clinical Herbalist, Aromatherapist 607 1st. Ave. SW, Largo 727-501-1700

SixOaksWellness.com Clinical herbalist and massage therapist offering consultations, extensive line of Eastern/Western Herbs, Teas, Essential oils, CBD, Supplements, and learning workshops. Visit your neighborhood apothecary today!

See ad page 39.

National & state board certified with 15+ years experience in Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Cold Laser & more.

Bio-Puncture and Mesotherapy to treat pain, ADHD, anxiety, depression. Lab testing, most insurances. Free Nutritional Consultation.

alternative medicine

Natural Living Chiropractic & wellness center

astrology Astrology for Your Soul

Aluna Michaels, M.A., Esoteric Astrologer Dunedin 248-583-1663 AlunaMichaels.com Second-generation astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner.

Over 25 years of experience.

Insightful, unique perspective on goals and issues. “Together we will unveil your soul’s purpose.”

chiropractic GENTLE TOUCH CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER Dr. Colette Cseszko 10575 68th Ave., Seminole 727-235-3265 Gentle-Chiro.com

The 2-year program meets one weekend each month for class and Wednesday nights for our hands-on student clinic. This program is designed to create clinical herbalists in a combination of Chinese and western herbalism.

Many open classes. Designed to meet American Herbalists Guild standards.

See ad page 13.

Spa-like wellness center offering chiropractic, acupuncture and physical therapy modalities. 18+ years’ experience in treatment of spine-related conditions, including tailbone misalignments, chronic sacroiliac dysfunction, piriformis issues and upper cervical disorders.

On site X-ray. See ad page 6.

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colon Hydrotherapy RENEW LIFE

Bonnie Barrett 28469 US Hwy 19 N. #402, Clearwater 727-461-7227 RenewLifeFla.com, Lic# MA14802 MM35406 25 years experience. Expert in colon hydrotherapy using pressure points, abdominal massage, essential oils, and lymphatic drainage. All disposable tubing used. Very comfortable and relaxing room with private bathroom.

See ad page 6.

dentists Beata carlson, DDS

1825 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater 727-888-6523 NaturalAndCosmeticDentistry.com Natural, Holistic, Aesthetic Dentistry. Careful Silver filling removal. Non-metal crowns and bridges.

Be pampered in our Spa-like atmosphere. See ad back cover.

Carlo Litano, DMD

Natural Smiles of Tampa Bay 9087 Belcher Rd., Pinellas Park, 33782 727-300-0044 Natural-Smiles.com Offering Holistic/Biological dentistry. Swiss dental protocols, ceramic implants, safe mercury removal, ozone cleaning and on site sedation.

See ad page 4.

To Advertise in the Resource Guide, email Debbey at dwilson@natampa.com or call 727.865.9339.

paul t. rodeghero, dds

Clearwater Family Dental 215 S Myrtle Ave., Clearwater 727-442-3363 MyClearWaterFamilyDental.com We are a full service family dental practice that stresses metal free restorations, safe mercury removal, ozone and laser dentistry. We welcome patients of all ages and can handle any concern that you may have. See ad pages 3 & 9.

Robert J. Yu, DMD

Tampa Bay Dental Implants & Periodontics 6700 Crosswinds Dr., Ste. 200-B, St. Petersburg 727-384-9122 TBPerio.com

The only board certified periodontist and implant surgeon in Tampa Bay offering ceramic/ zirconia non-metal implants.

State-of-the-art treatments include CBT imaging, LANAP and digital intraoral scanner, eliminating messy impressions.

See ad page 10.

herbalist

integrative medicine Christie MD Functional & Aesthetic Medicine Dr. Heather Christie 2837 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg 727-220-9080 ChristieMDfam.com

See ad page 27.

Functional, Aesthetic and Intravenous Medicine. Offering hormone therapy; nutritional evaluation and therapy; fatigue and stress management; detoxification; diabetes; cardiovascular diseases; weight control; aesthetics. Outof-Network Provider.

St. Petersburg Health & Wellness Dr. Les Cole Kathie Gonzales, ARNP 2100 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg 727-202-6807 StPetehw.com AwakeningWellness.org Functional, Regenerative, Integrative & Preventative Medicine.

Treating Thyroid, Autoimmune Diseases, Cancer Support, Natural Hormone Replacement, Stem Cells, Exosomes, PRP and Joint Rejuvenation, IV Nutritional Therapy. See ad page 21.

Success by design Integrative Therapeutics Dr. Prudhvi Karumanchi 8320 Stone Run Ct., Tampa 33615 813-322-6171 IntTherapeutics.com

Committed to finding the root cause, Holistic MD offers: IV Nutrition, Regenerative Treatments, Functional Medicine, Heavy Metal Detox, Energy Healing, Weight Loss, Anti-aging and more. Out-ofNetwork Provider.

9095 Belcher Road, Pinellas Park 727-548-0001 PoundsAwayTampaBay.com A Wellness Center for Age-Management, Functional Medicine and Medical Weight Loss. Specializing in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement including Pellet Therapy, Gut Health/Food Allergies, Detoxification, Nutritional Evaluations, Acupuncture, Massage therapy and more. See ad page 5.

Rose Kalajian—Herbalist

Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm 813-991-5177 ImHerbalist.com Specializing in growing the herbs used in my clinic practice and in the Herbal Remedies I formulate.

Consultations are available for humans, dogs, cats, and horses.

Promoting health through the use of Herbs. See ad pages 35 and 37.

hypnosis UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES HYPNOSIS, INC.

Patricia V. Scott, President 727-943-5003 UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com Professional Hypnosis & NLP Certification Training, Weekly classes & Private sessions (Smoking, Weight, Stress, Sports, Habits), Clinical/Medical Hypnotherapy available w/referral. Speaking Services & Corporate Programs.

See ad page 25.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. ~Vincent van Gogh

Mind Body spirit Care

Ron N. Shemesh, M.D. 12952 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 813-935-CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com Integrative & holistic medicine for women & men: Natural Hormone Therapy, Anti-Aging, IV Chelation, Nutritional Vitamin Therapy, Fatigue & Stress Management, Weight Loss, Yoga, Nutritional Counseling. Affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital. Most insurance accepted.

Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center Tracie Leonhardt, DO 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo 727-826-0838 PeaksOfHealth.com

Dr. Leonhardt is Board Certified & Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Offers a personalized program for each individual patient.

Hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, thyroid, GI issues, Diabetes, infrared sauna, IV nutrition, Anti-aging, Chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, and toxicities. See ad pages 11 and 47.

Young Foundational Health Center John D. Young, M.D. 7241 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo 727-545-4600 YoungFoundationalHealth.com

Author of Beyond Treatment.

Creator of Young Health Products. Offering specialized treatments for chronic diseases. Therapies include Bio-identical Hormone, Stem Cell, Vitamin IV, Chelation, Ozone. Special Testing and Nutritional Education.

See ad page 7.

reiki Masters’ Dojo

Shihan Lynn Montana Freemãn Lithia 267-474-4717 LynnMontanaf@aol.com Shihando Reiki Master; 30 years’ experience. Private and group training. Beautiful crystals, candles, incense, books and giftables.

Private healing sessions and shopping by appointment only.

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spiritual intuitive Lisa Miliaresis

Extreme Communication 727-239-0656 Lisa@2Communicate.net 2Communicate.net Lisa offers private individual and group channeling sessions, as well as private counseling sessions for those looking for direction in developing their own personal practice.

thermography GREENPOINT THERMOGRAPHY John D. Bartone MD Thomas Hudson MD 7901 4th Street North, Suite 316 St. Petersburg, FL 33702 727-576-0100 GreenPointThermography.com

The only physician owned and operated thermography practice in Tampa Bay - serving Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. Accredited by the American College of Clinical Thermology.

See ad page 10.

UniverSoulLight Consulting Rev. Amanda Segovia, Reiki Master, Certified SRT Personal Consultant UniverSoulLight.com UniverSoulLight@gmail.com

Private sessions using various healing, clearing & spiritual modalities. Akashic Records, Intuitive Medium, Astrologer, Numerologist, Meditation, Chakra-Balancing, Tarot/ Oracles, Candles, EOL Transition, Teacher/Mentor & more. See website.

veterinarian Healthy PAWsibilities Natural Pet Wellness Center Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM 628 Cleveland St., #17, Clearwater 727-510-3665 HealthyPawsibilities.com.

Offering only holistic health options. Nutrition, herbal support, body balancing, canine fitness, reiki and more. See ad page 41.

Medicine River Animal Hospital florida medical Thermography

June Drennon, CCT 2008 JuneDrennon@FloridaMedicalThermography.com 727-729-2711 FloridaMedicalThermography.com Certified Clinical Thermographer 2008. Mindful Wellness with Thermography!

Knowledge is power: Know your risk factors to make corrections and avoid developing pathology. Call for location convenient for you.

See ad page 23.

Shawna L. Green, DVM 13495 Gulf Boulevard Madeira Beach 727-299-9029 MedicineRiverAnimalHospital.com

Compassionate health care catered toward the needs of your pet offering preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, senior wellness, and more. See ad page 41.

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

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