Natural Nutmeg January 2012

Natural Nutmeg January 2012

Connecticut's Resource For Living Naturally

Communication From the Other Side Bernie Siegel, MD Why We Get Fat and Stay Fat! Understanding Weight Gain & Loss Paul D. Tortland, DO Post Holiday DetoxDon’t Lose Weight Without It! Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N Ayurvedic Approaches for Weight Loss Lindsay Jones, ND Let’s Eat Out...And Lose Weight Maribeth Abrams, MS

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In this Issue Why We Get Fat and Stay Fat! Understanding Weight Gain and Loss Paul Tortland, DO 12

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ur mission is to provide valuable insight, information and resources that will allow our readers to maintain a healthy, active, sustainable lifestyle. Natural Nutmeg contains timely information on natural health, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, and the products and services that support good health.

Ayurvedic Approaches for Weight Loss Lindsay Jones, ND 17

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3 Steps to Permanent Weight Loss Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 22

Editor-in-Chief Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com ADVERTISING SALES Peter Morgan Office: (203) 987-7797 Cell: (860) 992-9979 Peter@naturalnutmeg.com

Post Holiday DetoxDon’t Lose Weight Without It! Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N 30

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Let’s Eat Out...And Lose Weight Maribeth Abrams, MS 34

Departments News&Notes 7

Supplements 101 24 Healthy Self 39 Calendar 44 Resources 47 4

Natural Nutmeg January 2012

ADVISORY BOARD Ann Aresco, N.D. Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. Debra Gibson, ND Andrew Gregory, DC Lauren Gouin, ND Kenneth Hoffman, D.Ac, LAc, CCH David Johnston, DO Roberta Kline, MD Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N Tom Moorcroft, D.O.

Natural Nutmeg Magazine

Prescription for Living 9 Know your Herbs 21

PUBLISHERS Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com

P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860)206-9500 • Fax (860)263-8505

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In keeping with our concern for the environment, Natural Nutmeg is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.

Natural Nutmeg is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers and distributed throughout Connecticut.

Please call for a location near you. If you would like to receive Natural Nutmeg at your place of business please call (860) 206-9500 or email to publisher@naturalnutmeg.com. © 2007-11 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights reserved. Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that permission be obtained in writing. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your feedback.

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publisher'sletter

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s we say goodbye to 2011 and all of us are making New Year’s resolutions, I find it fitting to write about the connection between a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Everything that enters the body produces a positive or negative result. This includes food, drink, chemicals, and maybe most importantly, thoughts. If what you are putting into your body is healthy, you will have a positive response. If it is unhealthy, you will get a negative response. The way you look and feel tomorrow is a direct reflection of the thoughts and actions you engage in and the food and drink you consume today. Strong, inspiring, positive thoughts and healthy food builds excellent health in the body, mind and spirit.

There are many schools of thought as to what causes an individual to engage in an unhealthy lifestyle. Do negative thoughts cause one to eat poorly and have less regard for their health? Or does eating poorly and being unhealthy cause negative thoughts? Either way you look at it, it’s all interchangeable. To protect your body, you must protect your mind and vice versa. Here are some great tips to building a healthy body, mind and spirit: 1. Eat the right food in the right amount and right proportions. Doing this on a daily basis will help get your metabolic rate functioning correctly again and even speed it up. Healthy, lean protein (chicken, wild salmon, tuna, egg whites), low glycemic index carbohydrates (oatmeal, whole-grain bread, apples, berries), and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, almonds, sunflower seeds). The right amount means that you have calculated how many calories you need on a daily basis to maintain a healthy weight, and you are knowledgeable about portion sizes (the biggest culprit in weight gain!). The right proportion means balancing your meals with carbs, fat, and protein.

2. Add strength training to your exercise routine. Strength training triggers your body’s release of growth hormone, which is essential for fat burning and increasing your metabolic rate. Change up your aerobic exercise routine with interval training.

3. Take time every day to meditate, be still, and reflect – even if you only have 5 minutes. Research shows that daily participation in some type of stress reduction activity improves health and well-being.

4. Engage your mind and spirit by reading inspirational or motivational materials. Feed your soul through meditation, journaling or your favorite spiritual practice.

The satisfaction of good health and fitness can be yours when you choose to make them priorities in your life.

Wishing you health and happiness,

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news & notes Celebrate Taoist Healing Arts!

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unDo Mountain Taoism and Wu Healing Center host an amazing lineup of speakers, exhibits and demonstrations for the annual Taoist Healing Arts Fair being held January 29 at the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium & Conference Center.

Come experience first-hand the benefits of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Tui Na, Taoist Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and many other healing modalities at this one-day conference designed specifically for holistic health students and professionals, and those interested in learning more about Asian culture.

The Taoist Healing Arts Fair’s grand finale is a 2012 Year of the Dragon Dance Performance by members of the Asian Performing Arts Group. Demonstrations also include a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, Feng Shui Bagua, Kung Fu, sound healing, pendulum dowsing and many others. Live performances of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument, and an art exhibition will take place throughout the day. Workshops include: 2 pm - Change your Breath, Change your Health – Taoist yoga instructor and respiratory therapist, Eunmi Han, explores the ways in which meditative breathing engenders better health and vitality.

3 pm – Natural Breathing: The Taoist Way of Enlightenment – Join Taoist Master Hyunmoon Kim to discover how Taoist breathwork improves emotional health and leads us toward our spiritual dimension.

4 pm – Tui Na Massage for Family and Friends – Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ming Wu, teaches students to use basic Tui Na hand techniques to give basic but effective massage to others.

5 pm – Qi Gong for Healthy Weight Loss – Teacher Erik Harris shows how Pi Gu, a type of Qi Gong, can shrink the stomach to prevent hunger and stop food addictions for more effective weight management.

6 pm - Common Cures & Chinese Herbs - Learn the herbal equivalent to many over-the-counter drugs to treat many common disharmonies in this workshop led by Chinese Herbalist Laura Mignosa.

7 pm - The Tao of Diet: Restorative Nutrition - Lisl Meredith Huebner (Herbalisl) explains how to introduce nutritive herbs into your meals so that your health will flourish in all seasons.

Cost to attend including all workshops is $20-25 through online registration or $30 at the door. Persons interested in attending the event should visit www.sundo.org/events for more information and registration. Interested exhibitors or vendors can also find a tabling application form. See ad on page 14.

Sacred Rivers Yoga Awarded MS Grant

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acred Rivers Yoga has again been awarded a grant to provide classes for the benefit of individuals that are affected by multiple sclerosis. The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation underwrites the cost of classes & services through their Health and Wellness Program (HWP), so that they are free of charge for MS patients. Sacred Rivers Yoga would like to acknowledge and thank the MSF on the behalf of the grateful class participants. The Yoga Therapy classes for those with MS have been proven to help with balance, focus, concentration, and stress reduction, as well as breathing and oxygenation.

The Health and Wellness Program carries guidelines and requirements that must be met as a part of the application process to determine approval for funding. Sacred Rivers Yoga has been offering the classes with the help of the MSF on a weekly basis since 2006. If you are interested or would like information, please call 860.657.9545. You may visit their website at www.sacredriversyoga. com Sacred Rivers Yoga. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury CT 06033.

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prescription for living

by Bernie Siegel, MD

Communication From the Other Side

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often like to advertise my lectures as about PMS. Not post menopausal syndrome but about the practical, mystical and spiritual aspects of life. I get lots of books sent to me for comment and received one the other day entitled, “Postcards From Heaven” by Dan Gordon about everyday messages of love from the other side. They are about many events which were signs to him of communication with loved ones who had died.

One that touched me and reminded me of something my wife and I experienced was his writing about seeing a wild rabbit outside his sliding glass door and the rabbit just sat there looking at him.

He went out to offer it food and it didn’t run away or eat. It just kept following him and watching him play with his kids in the yard. He felt a connection with it communicating from one of his family members who had died and it left only after he shared that with the rabbit.

Several years ago one of my patients went to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai to resolve a lifetime of conflict with her mother before she died of cancer. I heard later that she died on the island. A couple of years later my wife Bobbie and I went there to lecture and lead a workshop. We went into a store and noticed a butterfly confused by a ceiling light and so my wife climbed up and placed her hand into the light. The butterfly came down on her

hand and then stayed with us all day, that evening and the next afternoon when the workshop was finished when it flew up and away.

When I say it stayed with us I mean it basically sat upon my wife’s shoulder or in her hand wherever we went. I remember saying to her when it was bed time, “Honey you can’t sleep with a butterfly.”

“I’ll go out on the porch and brush it off.”

She came back in and told me she had done so and I said, “Look at your other shoulder.” Yup, the butterfly had switched places and come back in with her. We finally offered it some sugar water to get it off her shoulder and we jumped into bed.

It was quite a mystical experience and I truly felt it was my patients way of saying she had worked things out and goodbye.

Many other things have happened to me which lead me to believe because of what I have experienced. I’ll share them some time in the future but they include having a near death experience as a child choking on a toy I aspirated; a past life experience which I envisioned spontaneously when a friend asked me why I was living this life and some mystics and healers telling me about the spirit people standing around me I couldn’t see but they could. Especially one night, years ago, in Madison when I felt like the talk I was giving was coming from somewhere else and I was being used to deliver it. A woman

came up afterwards and said, “I’ve heard you before. That was better than usual.

Standing in front of you for the whole lecture was a man and I drew his picture for you.” When she handed it to me it was exactly like the inner guide I visualized in my meditations. Same clothes beard and more. I still have it hanging on the wall.

Bernie holds a support group in Simsbury at Wisdom of the Ages the first Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm. Wisdom of the Ages, a special place to nurture your spiritual side. It's filled with items to calm the mind, heal the body & empower your spirit. They also provide massages & monthly meditation classes. Wisdom of the Ages is owned

by Bernie's son & daughter- in-law, Keith & Jane Siegel. Located at 1408 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Please call for info or to register for Bernie's group. (860) 651-1172, www.wisdomoftheages. biz, berniesiegelmd.com. See ad below.

Bernie also runs a Woodbridge Support Group which meets the Second and Fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at Coachman's Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com.

I CAN HELP YOU HEAL SPECIAL ATTENTION to chronic and difficult cases including those with “PESS” (physio-emotional spiritual stress)* *See article in November 2010 issue at naturalnutmeg.com Dr. Francis X. Tortora Chiropractor, Board Certified Craniopath 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT. 06851 (203) 348-0678 • www.chirodirectory.com

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Where is the Hair on My Head Going? Part 2 Can Laser Therapy Help My Hair Grow Back?

By Donyelle McBride

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aser therapy has been clinically proven to help regrow hair. This pain free treatment stimulates the follicle, increases circulation (carrying nutrients to follicle), increases cell metabolism (new cells promote new growth), and increases capillary size (improves blood flow to the follicle). What’s causing your hair loss? Hair loss can occur from stress, diet, health, medical, hereditary, and environmental causes. In today’s economy, it is nearly impossible to avoid stress however it is important we try to manage our stress. How one internalizes stress can have a negative effect on the hair. One recommendation would be to increase your “stress relievers” during high stress times. What are stress relievers? Anything that makes you feel better about yourself in a healthy manner. Your stress reliever should give you peace and make you calmer in spirit.

The first all natural stress reliever is exercise. That’s right. Good Ole exercise helps relieve stress and helps promote hair growth.

Over exercising, like extreme bodybuilding, can have the opposite effect and produce more DHT, but doing moderate exercise three to five times a week can actually reduce the amount of DHT produced by the body.

The second all natural stress reliever is proper rest. A good night sleep does wonders to help rejuvenate the body and promote growth. Sleep is when the body does most of its repair work. When we forgo sleep, it shows up physically, emotionally and mentally. When the body loses out on sleep, hair loss can occur.

The third all natural stress reliever is a proper diet. Eating the right foods allows the body to receive necessary nutrients to function and help feed the follicle. Quickcare.org says, “When choosing food for hair growth, remember that hair is made of protein; therefore protein-rich foods should make up a high percentage of your diet.” The second most important hair nutrient is iron. Each key nutrient below lists the foods that promote hair growth: • Protein: liver, brewer’s yeast, fish, eggs, beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu.

• Iron: liver, whole grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates, raisins.

• B Vitamins: eggs, meat, poultry.

• Essential Fatty Acids: walnuts, canola oil, fish, soy.

• Vitamin E: avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil.

• Sulfur: meats, fish, nuts, legumes, vegetables (especially onions).

(Figure 1).

(Figure 2).

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As you plan ways to incorporate food for hair growth, also be aware that there are some culprits in our diets that are actually detrimental to our hair!

• Caffeine • Sugar • Fat • Carbonated drinks Hereditary hair loss can have a devastating emotional impact. See how DHT causes hair loss. (Figure 1).

Testosterone is converted to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5-Alpha-Reductase (5AR) Enzyme through the following process: 1) DHT attaches to the androgen receptors on the hair follicle. 2) DHT causes increased hair loss; gradually miniaturizing the hair follicle. This miniaturized hair follicle eventually dies and hair loss occurs.

There are certain vitamin supplementations that block DHT. (Figure 2). Scripts Complete™ harmlessly binds to androgen receptors on your hair and stops DHT from binding to hair follicles and shrinking/killing your hair. With less DHT binding to your androgen receptors, your hair starts to grow and resumes the normal cycle of hair growth. As less and less DHT binds to your hair, it has the chance to grow into a strong

healthy hair. Small hairs can grow bigger and your dormant hair can start to grow again.

Vitamin supplementation, topical products, along with laser therapy provides a multi-therapeutic approach for hair regrowth.

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Receive 6 free laser treatments with your program when you mention Natural Nutmeg. Call for your consultation today!

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Submitted by Donyelle McBride, Trichologist. Affiliate office of Hair Loss Control Clinic. Global leaders in Laser therapy. 140+ Clinics Worldwide under Physicians Dr. Michael Fuhrman, Dr. Santiago Alvarez, Dr. Michael Albert, and Dr. Sheila Calderon. American Cancer Society, LGFB facilitator. McBride Hair Replacement and Salon Services LLC (MHR) offers 20-minute treatments twice a week along with vitamin supplementation and topical products to address Male and Female pattern baldness. For more information, visit www. mcbridehair.com or call 860-985-2081. See ad on page 45.

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Why We Get Fat and Stay Fat! Understanding Weight Gain and Loss

By Paul D. Tortland, DO

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f the magazines on display at the supermarket checkout are any indication, we have an infatuation with weight. More accurately— and sadly—we have a real epidemic.

a campaign to reduce dietary fat. The reasoning went like this: Heart disease is caused by high cholesterol. High cholesterol is caused by dietary fat. Reduce fat intake and you will reduce heart disease.

Here are the sobering statistics: Some of you will recall the sudden explosion of low fat and fat-free foods appearing • 2 of 3 Americans are overweight on store shelves in the mid to late ‘80’s.

• 1 in 3 US children are overweight or obese But here’s the rub—what does food taste and are expected to develop diabetes by like when you remove the fat? Like cardboard! age 20 So to make food more palatable, food processors • 1 in 4 Americans between 17-24 years old are added sugar. And not just any sugar; they added unfit for military duty due to obesity high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Why? Econom• The current generation of children is the first in ics—it’s twice as sweet and half the price. We’ll US discuss HFCS later on. As the charts clearly show,

history not expected to live longer than their not only did reducing the fat not make us leaner, we parents actually got fatter faster! (Oh, and the cholesterol problem also got • $147 Billion/year is spent by Medicare, Medicaid, and private worse.) insurers on obesity related healthcare In order to understand why we gain weight, and why it’s so hard • Obese people consume an estimated 40% more health care to lose it, we need to understand how our bodies use and store food. dollars compared to non-obese people There are 3 fuel sources that we can use for energy—carbohydrates (CHO), protein (PRO), and fat. We can store up to about 3 days “Houston, we have a problem.” We’re fat and getting fatter. In worth of CHO, mainly in the liver and muscles, in the form of glyjust over 20 years, we’ve gone from 29 states having obesity rates cogen. Our fat storage capacity, however, is unlimited! Mind you, so low that they couldn’t be measured, and no state with a rate we don’t increase the number of fat cells. Except for a small increase greater than 10-14%, to nine states with a rate greater than 30%, and during puberty, we have the same number of fat cells when we die only one state—Colorado—the lowest at 15-19%. (See illustration as when we’re born. We simply stuff them bigger and bigger! below) Once the glycogen storage tanks are full, excess CHO gets stored as fat. How does this happen? The key is the hormone insulin. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas gland in response to a CHO Why We Get Fat & Stay Fat meal. Its main function is to reduce blood sugar and get the sugar into the cells where it can be used for energy or stored. However, So what happened in 1985 that marked the beginning of this insulin is also our main FAT storage hormone! Every excess sugar dramatic trend? In an effort to rein in heart disease, the American molecule gets combined with 3 free fatty acid molecules in the Medical Association, in concert with the US government, launched Consider the charts below, showing obesity rates in the US, by state, in 1985 compared to 2009.

U.S. Obesity Rates, 1985(Source: www.cdc.gov) 12

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U.S. Obesity Rates, 2009(Source: www.cdc.gov)

blood to form a triglyceride molecule (“tri” = three; “glyceride” = sugar). The triglycerides get stored in the fat cell. Insulin facilitates this process. The higher the insulin goes, the more fat gets stored.

Now think about what we are being told constantly about what constitutes a “healthy” diet: Whole grains, complex carbs, and low fat. ALL carbs become sugar, whether “good” or “bad” carbs, “high glycemic” or “low glycemic” carbs. Four grams of CHO equals 1 teaspoon of sugar. So that strawberry banana fat-free yogurt you enjoy every day has 35g carbohydrate—over 8 teaspoons of sugar!

No wonder we gain weight or have trouble losing it. Fat doesn’t make us fat; SUGAR makes us fat and keeps us fat!

How to Lose the Weight Carbohydrates are the easiest fuel for the body to use, and we will preferentially burn these before we burn any significant PRO or fat. As long as there is any stored CHO, fat burning will be limited. (Think of CHO as the “kindling” when starting a fire in your fireplace. Its burns quickly and easily; you don’t try to light the big logs—the “fat”— first.) Therefore, to force the body to burn meaningful amounts of fat, we need to burn almost all of the stored CHO, and then stop eating CHO until we’ve achieved our weight loss goal. Burning stored fat will continue as long as there is no CHO to burn.

Think of it this way. All of your stored excess fat is your body’s built-in grocery store! This is what you will “feed” off of.

But it only happens if you first burn down the CHO and force the fat burning. The problem is, once you eliminate the CHO,

you will burn BOTH fat and protein—the body will not discriminate. This process is called gluconeogenesis (gluco = sugar, neo = new, genesis = creation). The protein and fat get converted to sugars that the body can use for fuel.

But you don’t want to burn PRO. Protein is muscle, and burning it will result in a net loss of lean muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories at rest than other tissue, and muscle is essential to help keep the weight off. Loss of lean muscle mass is a problem not only with many “low carb” diets but with any diet that restricts calories and yet keeps the same relative proportions of CHO, PRO, and fat.

Weight Watchers®, for example, admitted in a 2009 Boston Globe article that up to 30% of the weight lost on its program was lean muscle mass.

To prevent loss of muscle protein, you need to replace the protein that’s burned. An average person needs ½ gram of protein per pound of lean body weight per day. That’s roughly 70g a day for a 180-pound man, and 50g for a 150-pound woman. Exercise increases protein and fat burning, so physically active people need additional protein.

Protein is best taken at each meal, rather than all at once.

Keep in mind that this amount of protein is NOT high protein. It will not hurt your kidneys. It is the bare minimum to prevent a net loss of muscle. The key is to choose high quality protein that’s low in saturated fat and carbohydrate. Egg whites, chicken breast, fish & seafood, lean pork and lean cuts of beef are all acceptable. Tofu is also OK, but whole soy has a high estrogenic potential.

Low fat cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt can also be used sparingly (they tend

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to be higher in CHO content). There are also high quality protein shakes available, but watch the fat and carbohydrate contents carefully.

A Typical Daily Meal Plan So what does this look like in practice? The following is a sample of a typical daily meal plan for weight loss.

Breakfast 1 whole egg + 3-4 egg whites, scrambled Sea salt and spices to taste 2 8oz glasses of water Optional: coffee, 1oz skim milk if desired, Stevia for sweetener.

Lunch 1 grilled chicken breast 2 cups (2 handfuls) of mixed field greens, fresh spinach, or vegetables 1 tablespoon olive oil + apple cider vinegar dressing, plus spices to taste 2 - 8oz glasses of water Dinner 5-8oz fish, seafood, chicken, lean pork or beef 2 cups vegetables Unlimited salad (but only 1 tablespoon olive oil + apple cider vinegar Sea salt and spices to taste 2 - 8oz glasses of water Snack ½ cup low fat cottage cheese or 1 serving of plain Greek yogurt

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There are several factors to note. First, you must have 15-20g PRO at each meal and snack. This is to replace the PRO that is getting burned. Second, you must eat regularly. (This includes a small PRO snack 30-60 minutes before bed to prevent PRO loss during sleep.) This sounds counterintuitive, but you need to eat to lose!

When you skip a meal your body’s enzyme systems go into “preservation mode,” and the next meal you eat will get stored rather than burned. Third, vegetables and water are essential, not optional.

Note that there is no bread, cereal, pasta, dairy, butter, butter substitutes, fruit or fruit juices, nuts, alcohol, or junk food. All breads, cereal, pasta, and fruit are sugars. Nuts contain too much saturated fat—the very thing you are trying to burn off. And alcohol interferes with the gluconeogenesis in the liver, slowing down your weight loss.

Don’t fret! Once you’ve lost the weight you will go back to eating the things you enjoy, including fruit and alcohol. But you have a goal, and there are sacrifices that need to be made to reach that goal.

The first 3-4 days are the hardest, as you go through CHO withdrawal and clear out the built-up toxins. But stick with it, and on day 4-5 the fat burning kicks in and there is a surge of energy and an increased sense of well-being.

Controlling Insulin is the Key As noted above, insulin is the underlying factor in gaining weight and keeping it off. In our typical high CHO diet, the pancreas continues to secrete insulin. Every high CHO meal or snack causes an insulin spike. Over time, the cells that respond to insulin become “numb” or resistant to the insulin. This forces the pancreas to secrete even higher amounts of insulin to “wake up” the resistant cells.

Remember that insulin also stimulates fat storage. So the higher the insulin goes, the more fat gets stored. This is precisely how Type 2 diabetes develops. This is also the mechanism underlying the modern-day medical epidemic, “Metabolic Syndrome,” also known as Syndrome X. Characterized by high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, insulin resistance is the unifying cause.

In order to heal the body, to lose the weight and keep it off, you need to heal the insulin resistance. This can only be done by resting the pancreas, by reducing insulin production to the absolute lowest level possible. And this is done by reducing CHO intake to the lowest levels possible.

The amazing part of all this is that, not only will you lose the weight, but you will also dramatically reduce, if not outright get rid of, the high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. I know—we’ve seen it happen regularly, patients getting completely off of their medications!

Other conditions are also related to insulin resistance. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, gout, arthritis, and even cancer all can be linked to high insulin levels and insulin resistance.

My point is this—many diets will help you lose weight. But very few will actually heal the body, address the root causes of weight gain and disease, and help keep the weight off.

Once You’ve Lost The Weight By following the principles outlined above strictly, you can realistically expect to lose up to 3 lbs a week for women and 4-7 lbs a week for men.

Once you’ve reached your weight loss goal, it is imperative to transition gradually to the next phase. Keep in mind that up to now

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your pancreas has been relatively quiet, secreting minimal insulin. This is where most diets fail. If you suddenly go back to eating a so-called “healthy diet,” one high in complex carbs, you’ll simply start spiking the insulin all over again, followed by the weight gain. Up to 95% of people who lose weight put it back on again.

How do you prevent this? You reintroduce CHO slowly and gradually, so your system can adapt. For 14 days introduce CHO only at breakfast. Here’s where you can again enjoy a piece of fruit (no fruit juice!), some fruit yogurt or a glass of milk, or whole

grain toast, along with your protein. But avoid CHO the rest of the day. This way the pancreas secretes just a little insulin, you burn off the CHO the rest of the day, and the insulin levels gradually drop back down.

After 14 days you’re ready to embark on truly healthy eating for the rest of your life.

How do you keep the weight off? It’s remarkably simple. For breakfast (and, yes, you must eat breakfast!), eat a balanced meal of CHO, PRO, and fat.

For lunch and dinner, remember that insulin both metabolizes CHO and stores fat. So the key is keeping meals high in CHO

separate from meals high in fat. High CHO raises insulin; if there is minimal fat around, none gets stored. Conversely, a meal high in fat but low in CHO raises insulin minimally, so again no significant amount of fat gets stored.

What do such meals look like? Pasta with grilled chicken has CHO and protein, but minimal fat. Stay away from the mac & cheese or fettuccine alfredo (high CHO and high fat). Get the picture? Do this 5 days a week.

One day a week is a “fun day.” Eat whatever you want, no restrictions. But the next day severely restrict the CHO and fat again. This allows the high insulin to come back down so you don’t store all the CHO and fat you ate the day before.

A Few Final Words First, no diet is a vaccine against obesity.

Don’t blame a diet if you fail to abide by it.

Second, athletes need extra protein, as much as 1-2 grams per pound of lean body weight. Increased exercise increases demand for fuel, and you don’t want to burn muscle.

Also, once on the “maintenance phase,” athletes should replace CHO and PRO stores within 30-60 minutes after exercise.

Lastly, go through your cupboards and get rid of anything that contains high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, or corn sugar, and avoid buying anything that contains it or its derivatives. Fructose is a toxin, and the body has no receptors to metabolize it. This is also why you should avoid fruit juice—it concentrates the fructose, and you do not have the benefit of the fiber. Eat only whole fruit. (Sorry, pulp doesn’t count!)

As Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” It’s both the most potent “drug” and the most potent “toxin.”

Submitted by Paul D. Tortland, DO of Valley Sports Physicians and Orthopedic Medicine in Avon, CT. For more information, call 860675-0357 or visit www.jockdoctors.com. See ad on page 3.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2012

Ayurvedic Approaches for Weight Loss

By Lindsay Jones, ND

A

re you among one of the many who have struggled with weight loss; been on yo-yo diets and find yourself still seeking an answer? I have personally been on this roller coaster and have found Ayurvedic medicine to be an all encompassing and healthy answer to weight loss. This multi-factorial approach goes beyond “dieting” and is really about changing your lifestyle and making a daily decision to put you and your body as a top priority, even in the fast-paced and busy world in which we live.

Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India that was established over 5,000 years ago and is still used today in all parts of the world.

Ayurveda translated from Sanskrit literally means the science of life. The three fundamental concepts in Ayurveda are that food is medicine, disease can be prevented and eradicated through daily habits, and lifestyle recommendations are based on an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental makeup.

According to Ayurveda, we are all born with a particular dosha or body type (vata, pitta and kapha) in which one or more of the three is dominant. Each dosha reacts differently to weight gain: Vata: have sudden and fluctuating weight, either over, under or normal. Hunger is variable and they eat sugar to calm their nerves, eat for a feeling of security, or eat during hormonal changes.

Pitta: the main cause for overeating is due to a strong appetite. They may have an addiction to sugar and red meat. Weight develops from muscle and flabbiness.

Kapha: most common dosha that develops obesity, slow metabolism, easy weight gain, eating addiction, hormonal conditions that cause retention of weight (water and fat), low energy, flabbiness, pallor, excess phlegm or saliva and subcutaneous fat deposits.

Ayurveda identifies that there are seven different tissues in the body-referred to as dhatus-which are very similar to the major tissues identified by modern science. When food is fully digested, the building of these tissues begins. The process begins in a sequential manner and each layer builds

upon one another. An imbalance in any of the tissues will affect the rest of the system. The food we eat nourishes our entire deep and complex structures, so proper nutrition and digestion are the most effective ways to ensure that proper tissue renewal occurs.

The Seven Dhatus: 1. Secretions (Rasa) 2. Blood (Rakta) 3. Muscles (Mamsa) 4. Fats (Meda) 5. Bones (Asthi) 6. Bone Marrow (Majja) 7. Hormones (Shukra) The meda dhatu or fat tissue, in Ayurveda, is made up of predominantly the elements water & earth. In teachings of Ayurveda, they say that food is for the body and love is the food of the soul and consciousness. But food can become a substitute for love and cause obesity.

Disorders in meda are brought on by excess sugar, salt, dairy products, sedentary lifestyles and unresolved emotional issues.

The kapha body type is made up of the elements water & earth, giving this dosha its definitive qualities. Kapha comprises all of our cells, tissues and organs.

The water & earth elements give the qualities of heavy, slow, hard and dense to create a strong and large body frame.

Kapha people usually have a hard time losing weight and tend toward slower digestion, metabolism and water retention. Sometimes people who are not constitutionally a kapha may have what we call a “kapha wrap.” They may look and behave like a kapha, but the original body type may be hidden under the kapha layers, typically due to sexual, mental and/or emotional abuse.

According to a 2010 article in JAMA, almost 80% of US adults may be carrying excess body fat, which may predispose them to chronic health problems. Extreme obesity is particularly important, given the association with increased mortality that NaturalNutmeg.com

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is largely attributable to cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer.

With these figures, it is no wonder that the weight-loss industry is taking advantage.

So, do fad diets work? In 2002, the Federal Trade Commission released a “Report on Weight-loss Advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends.” It reported that weight-loss products and ads are misleading and that weight loss claims have increased over the past decade. In the report, it estimated that 40-55% are false and misleading in their representation. Americans spend around 40 billon dollars a year on weight-loss products.

An article reported in the New England Journal of Medicine states that there is not much return on this investment because most people who participate in weightloss programs “regain about one-third of the weight lost during the next year and are typically back to baseline in three to five years.”

Fortunately, Ayurvedic medicine encompasses every aspect of one’s self for overall health and maintenance and believes that the best route for successful weight loss is one that is slow and steady.

An Ayurvedic weight loss perspective is based on the concept of ama, or toxins, that accumulate from a poor diet, chronic stress or environmental impurities. Most of these toxins get stored in our fat, creating the fat cell to expand and making it more difficult to lose weight. To rid the body of ama and assist in weight loss it is recommended to perform a cleanse, either using Ayurveda and/or in combination with a naturopathic medically supervised cleansing program.

Ayurvedic Weight-Loss Concepts It is important to take care of your whole self when embarking upon a cleansing program and creating a lifestyle change. An Ayurvedic lifestyle avoids these following dietary habits: • Overeating • Eating when not hungry • Emotional eating • Drinking fruit juice during a meal • Drinking chilled water during a meal • Eating when constipated or emotionally disturbed • Eating before 7 am or late at night • Eating too heavy or too little food • Eating incompatible food combinations

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Natural Nutmeg January 2012

A key concept to maintaining your new lifestyle is balance. To maintain overall balance and health within your dosha try to have regularity in sleeping, waking, eating and elimination. We should also strive for maintenance in our relationships and emotions, so we can have total awareness in our thoughts and actions.

Relationships should be filled with love, compassion and clarity. Our emotions are actual biochemical processes in our body and when seriously challenged, could become poisonous to us. A useful tool that is free and can be used daily is meditation. Meditation can be helpful in bringing awareness along with cleansing our minds, body and consciousness.

Ayurvedic treatments may also include recommendations for sleep, exercise, yoga, breathing exercises, nutritional modifications and herbal supplementation. These strategies are all meant to help and target stress management. Chronic stress can contribute to many harmful physiological events by releasing cortisol.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. The function of cortisol is to regulate and mobilize energy to different areas in the body. Cortisol mobilizes energy by tapping into the body’s fat stores and moving it to another location. When chronically stressed, fat can be mobilized to the abdomen. Research has shown that fat cells in the abdominal area have a higher level of the enzymes needed to convert cortisol into its active form, thus producing weight gain around the abdominal area.

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Thermogenic Spices Research has shown that the following spices help burn fat. Fortunately, many can already be found in your kitchen cupboard or can be found in your local store. These spices can easily be added to soups, salads, vegetables, meats or smoothies. Try some freshly grated ginger and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon into your fruit smoothie for a fat-burning meal or snack!

• Black Pepper • Ginger • Capsaicin • Turmeric • Cinnamon • Fenugreek • Trikatu (black pepper, long pepper, ginger) It is recommended to have a naturopathic physician specifically guide you NaturalNutmeg.com

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through the detoxification process to help provide you with the necessary tools and reveal the underlying root cause by utilizing lab testing and body composition analysis. At our office, we utilize Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), to assess your body composition, a measurement of your body fat in relation to lean body mass.

Over 100 independent studies, conducted by researchers over the past 20 years, have shown the efficacy and usefulness of bioimpedance analysis for testing body composition. Body composition testing is also a tool used with most patients to measure progress as they work toward their goals of better health. Also, unique to our practice is FirstLine Therapy, a personalized lifestyle medicine program centered on therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) such as healthy nutrition, nutritional products, exercise, and stress management.

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A healthy approach to weight-loss is about cleansing your mind, body and spirit and using a practical and common sense approach that you can integrate into your daily life. You can still reap the many rewards from Ayurveda by just incorporating a few ideas into your regimen. Wishing you a New Year full of wisdom and health!

Dr. Lindsay Jones is a licensed naturopathic physician in Connecticut, and is an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Whole Health Associates, LLC is the premier location in the Farmington Valley for natural medical care for the entire family, offering naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.wholehealthllc.com or call 860-6740111. See ad on page 2.

know your herbs

Andrea Candee, MH,MSC

Weight Loss For Life...The Alkaline Way

I

experienced the most significant improvements in how I feel by altering the acid/alkaline balance in my diet. I had been suffering for several years with joint pain and fatigue from an autoimmune response to a spider bite…to the point that I was limping and hip replacement and hand surgery were recommended (the cartilage in my hand and hip had deteriorated). I tried over a dozen natural therapies to little avail. When I participated in a wellness center’s Alkaline Liquid Feast, my joint pain (everywhere) ceased, my energy levels went sky high AND, as a wonderful and unexpected side effect, I lost 20 pounds!

I was a very healthy eater prior to the program, especially as compared to most of the population. My vices were frozen yogurt (haven’t had that in over a year… wow!) and dark chocolate (I still indulge more than occasionally). But, I learned, I was, as are most of us, an acid eater. All proteins, all dairy, all sugar, and many grains are acidic foods. What’s left, you may ask.

Greens and alkaline grains. Many turn off at that point and say I want to eat what I want to eat…and to each his or her own.

For me, I’ll eat cardboard to feel better.

In becoming gluten-free a few years ago (finding that did help a little and stopped the swelling of legs and hands I experienced most of my adult life) I turned to rice products as substitutes…rice cereals, rice crackers, rice pasta, rice based ice cream…all very acidic What was a new addition to my new alkaline diet was lots of healthy oils (and I don’t mean just olive oil in salads but adding to my vegetables, soups and cereals coconut oil, avocado oil, hemp oil) and pink salt which is high in minerals. Eating lots of the oils and salt completely decreased my sugar cravings and did not cause swelling at all. Avocado in quantity was also new.

We were raised to think a portion was 1/8 of an avocado because of its high fat content. It turns out that the avocado is high in healthy fats and I eat one or two every day (in salads, in guacamole, in shakes).

Drinking a minimum of 3-4 liters per day of water containing alkalizing greens is also important, providing the hydration and chlorophyll vital to the blood of many processes in the body. I find if I go below 3 liters, I feel the difference. Chlorophyll reduces the binding of carcinogens to DNA in the liver and other organs. In addition, it breaks down calcium stones – stones that the body creates to neutralize and dispose of excess acid for elimination. Green plants provide protein, vitamins and minerals, fiber, electrons, phytonutrients, and alkaline salts.

I eat lots of green vegetables, alkaline grains such as millet, quinoa and buckwheat (available in pastas, cereals and crackers so not deprived of them, just substitute for them). I like to eat and I like to cook and I do plenty of both! When I went from being 100% alkaline to about 90%, which is where I am now, I began including wild salmon, trout and sardines (and this makes eating out much easier although when I asked for steamed or grilled veggies in restaurants I was presented with the most wonderful and creative dishes).

The Liquid Feast was exactly that…a feast. I was never hungry, and feasted on allowed foods. It was a good way to kick off the alkalizing process in the body until I segued into regular alkaline eating. The Feast consisted of almond milk smoothies, guacamole shakes, delicious and filling pureed vegetable soups. For the desire to eat something more solid we could eat cut up cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados with a delicious basil/lemon/olive oil dressing. No deprivation there!

Dr. Robert O. Young’s work in acidity/ alkalinity is that the over acidification of the body is the single underlying cause of all dis-ease. Think of your body as a fish tank.

Think of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the internal fluids of the body that we “swim” in daily. Imagine the fish in this tank are your cells and organs bathed in fluids, which transport food and remove wastes. Some of us have fish tanks (bodies)

that are barely able to support life, yet we somehow manage to struggle from day to day…creating severe imbalances until there is the inevitable crash and debilitating, chronic symptoms to deal with.

The pH level (the acid-alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our bodies. Extended acid imbalances of any kind are not well tolerated by the body. A chronically over-acidic pH corrodes body tissue, slowly eating into the miles of veins and arteries, as well as organs. If left unchecked, it will interrupt all cellular activities and functions, from the beating of your heart to the neural firing of your brain.

For further explanation, read Dr Young’s “The pH Miracle.” There are many printings but the July 2010 printing is best, I found, because of its clarity, simplicity, lists telling you what you can and cannot eat and recipes. It is available on Amazon.

PS…after 1 ½ yrs on the alkaline program I took a blood lipid test as this has been an issue for the past 30 yrs due to genetics (only trying natural remedies all these years, never meds). I had the best results ever, another testament to the alkaline life!

Andrea Candee, MH, MSC, is a master herbalist with a practice in Westchester County. She lectures throughout the country and at corporate wellness centers about taking charge of your health naturally. Media expert and author, her award-winning book, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster), received The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. Andrea is noted nationally for her unique and successful approach to Lyme Disease and works with The Liphe Balance Center in Weston, CT. She may be contacted through her website, AndreaCandee.com (to receive her free e-letter, click on Did You Know?), or at 877 856 7680.

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3 Steps to Permanent Weight Loss

By Jeff Forte, CSIC CME

Here’s what you need to know

W

hat do you want your body to look like by the end of 2012?

Now is a great time to decide what you want to achieve in your physical health for 2012.

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get in better shape? If you did, you are not alone. Losing weight and getting in better shape are the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

Making a resolution is great. Keeping it is the challenge. According to resolution statistics, 25% of people have already dropped their resolutions after just the first week. By the end of January, 36% of people will have totally dropped their resolutions. WHY? It gets worse for those without a goal or resolution. According to the American Psychological Association people who have made a goal like losing weight are 10 times more likely to succeed if they made a New Year’s resolution. You can only imagine how highly unlikely it would be for someone to lose weight without a goal or resolution.

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There is an emotional component that must be addressed if weight loss is to be made permanent. It is not enough to intellectually understand what you should do.

Here are the facts. Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight loss programs and products. Diets simply don’t work, or they work for a limited time. People try diet after diet with varying degrees of success. If you wait, there will be a new diet fad coming in the next few months, and forever after because the core problem is not being addressed.

Exercise and eating nutrient rich foods definitely works, but people don’t stay with the exercise and healthy diet even though they know they should. WHY not? Because there is an emotional component that needs to be addressed if weight loss is to be made permanent.

Here’s how you can get the results you want Step 1 - Control Your Focus What is your day to day emotional focus? Is it specific, compelling and within your control? Are you crystal clear on what you want to experience every day, or are you

fixated on fears and uncertainties? Is your orientation health or is it filling some emotional void? We all have emotional needs and triggers. What is the emotional pattern that restricts your life and prevents you from getting the results you want? Is it anger, self pity, guilt, loneliness, self sabotage? As you begin to shift your emotional focus, everything can change.

Step 2 - Use Tools and Strategies that Work What are your tools and strategies for losing weight? Are they effective? If you want to be successful at losing weight, you have to know what tools and strategies actually work, and which ones do not. As a contrast, you could probably tell me exactly what to do if I wanted to gain weight and get out of shape.

Many strategies are built upon an emotional foundation, which must be disrupted and replaced by something that feels better, and is better for you. Simply getting rid of a weak strategy usually becomes an opportunity for a different weak strategy to take its place when the emotional connection is not broken. Strategies are only as good as the emotional charge that drives them.

Step 3 – Resolve Inner Conflicts You can have a powerful focus to create change, and the right tools and strategies, and yet if you have an inner conflict, the real change you want will never happen. This is usually the challenge for people who say that they have tried everything, but nothing seems to work.

Is food being used to meet some emotional need, or as a substitute for other things in life? Does food bring a feeling of certainty and comfort to dull pain or ease fear? Are you using food to manage things that food can’t fix? For example if a relationship is not fulfilling, food might meet your emotional needs at a very low level, but even when your needs are met at a low level, it can become a habitual pattern.

When something in your life upsets you,

do you solve the problem or use food to manage your emotions?

Are you willing to make a commitment to yourself to understand why you might be overweight or out of shape in order to get the results you want? Can you tell yourself the truth, and not make it worse than it really is?

Remember, you are more than anything that could have ever happened to you in your life, or ever will. Can you see things better than they are right now, and feel it? This is simply an emotional muscle that you can easily make strong when you resolve inner conflict.

Are you undervaluing yourself? Are you in a reactive pattern where instead of creating your life, you are reacting to others limitations?

Whenever you choose to change something, you must draw a clear line between the emotional states and habits that are good for you, and the emotional states and habits that will cause you pain.

Now, draw the line, and never go back. This requires a commitment.

A commitment to feed the courageous part of you that yearns to step up and allows you to lead the life you truly deserve. The weight loss and fitness happen as a result of honoring the true nature of who you really are.

And the real you is more than enough. The illusion is that you had to change. The truth is that you just have to remember who you are. These 3 steps will free you enough for the weight loss to simply happen naturally, because when you know who you are and honor yourself, you know what to do.

Submitted by Jeff Forte CSIC CME. Mr. Forte is a Life Coach with Certifications in Strategic Intervention and Marriage Education. He sees clients in his Glastonbury CT office and can be reached at (860)6338555. See ad on page 13.

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Supplements 101

Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S. Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

Sugar: A Primary Threat To Wellness How To Combat The Damage It Causes After years of chronic exposure to sucrose, physiological processes not unlike addiction take hold. Rapid absorption of sugars from a high-sucrose meal triggers a dangerous sequence of unfavorable hormonal and metabolic alterations that promote still greater consumption . . . The result is the dangerously high incidence of metabolic disease we see today – obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. ”Block Absorption of Killer Carbohydrates” Julius Goepp, MD, Life Extension Magazine

D

o you love sweets . . . chocolate, ice cream, cake, candy? How about other carbohydrates . . . bread, pasta, potatoes, rice? Before you plunge into holiday self-indulgence, you may want to consider whether you are willing to pay the price. Do you really want to expose your body to the onset or increased risk of depression, concentration and coping difficulties, fatigue, pre-diabetes/diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and various immunity challenges (including exacerbated candidiasis, which can cause sweets cravings)?

All Sugars Are Not Equal Though all sugars are made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, they are not all equal. It is first important to note that glu-

cose, a sugar derived from the digestion of carbohydrates (such as rice, pasta, potatoes, grains, fruits, some vegetables, and processed sweets), is our body’s primary source of energy. When the small intestine absorbs glucose into the bloodstream, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which combines with the glucose to enter the muscles and brain to enable them to function.

Since glucose is such a vital form of energy, it is critical to maintain it within a normal range. The human body adapts to high levels of glucose in the blood either by storing it in the muscles or liver as glycogen (for later reabsorption when levels drop), or by speeding the release of insulin. (Glucose in the liver is also metabolized into triglycerides, fatty acids, and energy.) As the body produces more insulin to deal with the excess blood sugar, it becomes overwhelmed by the volume of insulin and eventually feelings of physical and mental sluggishness develop. If not addressed, insulin resistance can develop into Type 2 diabetes.

Generally, the lower the glycemic index (GI) of a food containing sugar, the slower its impact on blood sugar, and thus the less damaging to the body. A carbohydrate is considered to be high glycemic if its GI is 70 or higher (baked goods, candy bars, soda/ energy drinks), while low glycemic foods that contain more fiber, water, protein, or fat (beans, nuts, fresh vegetables) have GIs below 55.

At any step in the process, the abusive intake of sugar can cause problems in maintaining the right levels of blood glucose, which can lead to numerous health problems. While you cannot achieve your highest level of health if you consume a significant amount of any form of sugar, there are some that are arguably less damaging than others. Monosaccharides [glucose, dextrose, fructose (in fruits, honey, and agave); found in most refined/processed carbohydrate-rich foods] are the simplest and most damaging sugars, which are absorbed into the blood stream almost instantly. Disaccharides [sucrose (table sugar), maltose, lactose; includes genetically-modified high fructose corn syrup] are formed from different combinations of monosaccharides and are readily absorbed. Complex Sugars (oligo- or polysaccharides; in beans, whole grains, sweet potatoes, and other fiber-rich foods) are absorbed more slowly and are therefore less damaging. Sugar Alcohols [xylitol (antibacterial), sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol] are sugar-free, alcohol-free, relatively low-calorie and low-GI, and natural. Depending on individual digestive capacity, and type and quantity ingested, however, sugar alcohols are potential causes of gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

The best, lowest GI sweetener is stevia (GI 0, Calories 0), a South American leaf-based herb that is 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Although they contain fructose, some experts also recommend organic agave syrup (GI 30-40), and, in moderation, local, organic, raw honey (GI 55, full of antioxidants, and allergy-fighting and immune-boosting enzymes). Avoid artificial sweeteners, including sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin, all created from toxic chemicals.

Potential Health Problems from Excess Sugar Consumption While a thorough discussion of the numerous potential problems stemming from sugar abuse is well beyond the scope of this article, below is a primer of some key concerns to keep in mind and some natural means of curbing sugar’s negative impact.

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Depression Processed sugars and carbohydrates cause blood insulin levels to rise, which in turn raises the level of endorphins, neurotransmitters produced by the brain that result in a chemical high and lift in mood.

However, continuous intake of large doses of sugar/carbohydrates usually cause endorphin production to slow or cease, thus reducing endorphin levels in the body and causing slight-to-deep depression. To maintain a normal level of endorphins and lift the depression, more sugar and/or carbohydrates must be consumed. This causes a vicious cycle of addiction.

The Natural Approach -Try: The amino acids DL-phenylalanine (DLPA); L-tyrosine (produces adrenaline and dopamine, leaving the mind positive, calm, and alert); and L-tryptophan/5HTP (produce serotonin).

SAMe is also a well-studied nutrient thought to increase the availability of serotonin and dopamine.

Reduced Brain Function/Focus Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is responsible for the development

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of new nerve tissue in the brain, and thus for the capacity to expand memory, learn, and grow. Research has shown that high sugar diets (like diets high in fat and low in essential fatty acids) decrease BDNF. Although the issue is controversial, Lendon Smith, M.D., a well-known pediatrician, has further maintained that sugar can cause hyperactivity/ ADHD by impacting the mid-brain, which controls emotions and the ability to focus.

The Natural Approach -Try: Chromium polynicotinate; B-complex; and a combination of GABA, L-taurine, L-glycine, inositol, and valerian.

Weakened Immunity Sugar not only generally suppresses the immune system (especially by competing with vitamin C for entry into cells), but it specifically feeds cancer. It has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, lung, gallbladder, and stomach.

The Natural Approach -Try: Bovine colostrum (especially protects against viruses and cancer; produces dopamine); echinacea (natural immune stimulant) and goldenseal (natural antibiotic); and astragalus (boosts white blood cell activity to serve as an antibacterial and antiviral; ideal for children).

Metabolic Syndrome / Obesity Metabolic syndrome is generally diagnosed when a patient has three of five interrelated conditions, which the intake of excess sugar can exacerbate: (1) exces-

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sive belly fat (waist circumference – women > 35”/ men > 40”); (2) high triglycerides > 150; (3) low HDL (“good” cholesterol that carries LDL out of the body) < 50; (4) high blood pressure over 130/85 (normal is 110/70); and/or (5) fasting glucose > 100, which indicates a resistance to insulin (prediabetes). According to Burton Berkson, M.D., Ph.D., insulin resistance always exists in metabolic syndrome because excess insulin production promotes increases in blood fats, blood pressure, and fat storage.

By generating high levels of cell-damaging free radicals, metabolic syndrome causes premature aging. Along with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, it increases the risk for various other disorders, including heart and eye disease, Alzheimer’s, some cancers (including breast cancer), and obesity.

Waist circumference is but one indicator of whether one might be overweight or obese due to excess consumption of sugar.

Overweight can also be defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29, while obesity can be defined as a BMI equal to or greater than 30. Since the liver can only store 100 g of glucose as glycogen, and the muscles can store only 500 g of glycogen, any excess sugars are converted to and stored as fat.

There is practically no limit to how many calories the body can store as fat.

The Natural Approach -Try: (1) regular aerobic exercise (even a 10-minute walk after meals can clear glucose out of the bloodstream) and resistance training/weight lifting; (2) a calorie-restricted, healthy diet, including daily breakfast to reduce the risk of obesity and insulin resistance by 33-50%; (3) stress reduction techniques (stress and

anxiety can cause Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and can shorten lifespan); and (4) nutritional supplements to reduce insulin resistance and control blood sugar: “carb-blockers” (white bean extract, irvingia/African mango, brown seaweed); resveratrol [mimics calorie restriction, combats abnormal levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin)]; alpha lipoic acid (helps burn glucose); gymnema sylvestre (stimulates insulin production); vanadyl sulfate (mimics insulin); chromium polynicotinate (combats insulin resistance, binds to insulin to facilitate muscle use of glucose, promotes weight loss); magnesium; and milk thistle standardized for silymarin content (lowers/stabilizes blood glucose levels; protects the liver, the most important tissue involved in insulin utilization).

Conclusion With a healthy diet, daily exercise, and the appropriate nutritional supplements, you can combat sugar abuse and thus improve and prolong your life. You might begin with some form of enjoyable exercise and an experienced practitioner or health coach who can guide you through the healthy-diet maze and chart your progress.

Once the health effects of your new lifestyle begin to kick in, you’ll crave nutritious foods rather than sugar, and will wonder how you ever ate all those sweets!

Submitted by Michael Dworkin, P.D.,M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Certification No.232), with J. Erika Dworkin, Certified Health Coach and Dip.C.N./Board Cert. Holistic Nutrition (pending). Owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe (860.646.8178, 378 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester), Pharmacist Dworkin has been guiding patients since 1956 and is available for consultation by appointment. Erika is available to speak to groups. All statements in this article are research-based and references are available upon request. See ad on page 11.

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Take Control Now

By Patrick DeFrancesco, DC

N

ever before has it been more challenging to restore and maintain one’s health. To stay fit is not only expensive but challenging as well. We are bombarded with a plethora of diet plans, exercise regimes and health practitioners who promise us the world. It is now that we must get back to the basics and use our common sense especially with food choices.

Foods today are more contaminated than ever before.

We must select only the highest quality foods possible. Even then, we must read the ingredients and make sure manufacturers haven’t added harmful, untested chemicals and additives. When you start to focus on ingredients, it seems as though high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is in everything. High fructose corn syrup has become the sweetener of choice because the government subsidizes corn, and production quotas and import tariffs on sugar, have made it less expensive. It can also be made sweeter than sugar, making it more appealing.

This dangerous additive is approved by the FDA, even though it has been implicated in numerous inflammatory disease processes such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, gout, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. It has also been linked to autoimmune diseases like

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rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, systemic lupus, and insulin-dependent diabetes. HFCS is dangerous to your health and is found in many refined-carbohydrates. These foods are consumed by many Americans and it is no wonder most of our population is overweight and unhealthy.

The time is now to transition to a low carbohydrate diet, mainly consisting of high quality fats and proteins. The average American diet is mostly carbohydrate based (pastas, breads, sweets, chips), which when ingested, are the easiest foods for your body to digest. They provide quick energy. When you reduce these in your diet, the body must then look for another source of energy. This leaves either protein or fat, which are more difficult to assimilate.

The body prefers fat and leaves the protein for repair and building. Thus, when you reduce your carbohydrates the body slowly transitions to burning its own fat for energy, this process is called ketosis.

This is why diets that restrict carbohydrates in fact work. The body is an amazing machine and will always attempt to restore balance and function. When we reduce our carbohydrates, the body has withdrawals and the urges to consume carbohydrates become intense. During the transition of going from a high

carbohydrate to a low carbohydrate diet, we need to assist the body and make the process easier. You can do this by adding high quality fats into your diet, which makes the transition go faster and easier.

These high quality fats are products such as high grade fish oil, coconut oil, and flax oil. These will help you overcome the discomfort associated with getting off refined carbohydrates and speed up the process of losing weight by getting your body geared for burning fat for energy. To assist in this process and redirect your diet, make your breakfast count.

I routinely consume a protein/power shake in the morning and recommend that you do too. My shake consists of 6 ounces of pomegranate juice, 2 tablespoons lecithin, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, 1 tablespoon greens powder, 1 tablespoon fish oil, 2 scoops whey protein, 1 tablespoon bee pollen, and ½ cup of frozen blueberries. Blend and enjoy a nutritious and complete breakfast.

Please note, the body requires consistency, so drink this shake everyday for 30 days and you will experience changes in your energy level, weight loss and over all well-being. Various studies continue to show that a breakfast high in protein creates a feeling of fullness and lower levels of appetite-stimulating hormone as compared to a breakfast lower in protein.

If you drink this shake between 6-7am, you may get hungry around 10-11am. This is when you must control what you eat.

Avoid low quality refined carbohydrates and snack on walnuts or perhaps a non-fat Greek yogurt.

Another effective activity to lose weight is proper exercise. Please understand that aerobic and anaerobic exercise is both important to a healthy and functioning body. However, it is found that the body burns more fat with anaerobic exercise such as weight-lifting or resistance training. It has been shown that anaerobic exercise burns five to seven times the calories as aerobic exercise. This occurs mostly after the exercise is performed and is called the metabolic after burn. If weight lifting is not something you feel comfortable with, try increasing your intensity in whatever exercise you do. Change up your program often and alter your speed if you walk or run. When it comes to exercise the body prefers change and not the same old routines.

On the bright side, more and more people are exploring healthier habits.

Today most people want a better quality of life and are willing to go the extra mile to assure proper health. A positive and consistent approach will bring you to a new level of wellness.

Submitted by Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco of the Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. See ad on page 19.

A Shaman’s Way Do you want to get in touch with your spirit and soul?

Let me help.

I offer effective energy work, healing and workshops to cleanse, strengthen and reenergize the mind, body, spirit and chakras to promote wellness, balance and a healthy life force.

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Post Holiday Detox- Don’t Lose Weight Without It!

By Vicki Kobliner, MS RD, CD-N

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fter a season of celebrations, we often wake up on January 1st feeling bloated, sick and determined to start anew. Losing weight is one of the top 5 goals on a typical Resolutions list, but beyond the fact that the majority of people are unsuccessful in their efforts, few realize that weight loss regimens, when done without care, can actually be toxic to the body. Chemicals such as organochlorines are stored in adipose tissue, and during periods of weight loss, these compounds are released from the fat cells into the body, where they can actually make us sick.

In a 2010 study of over a thousand people published in the International Journal of Obesity, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were found in higher quantities in those that had experienced a significant weight loss and were lower in participants who had not lost weight. Multiple studies reinforce this, showing increased levels of pollutants in subjects who have recently lost weight. There is also evidence that these toxins in fact contribute to some of the diseases that weight loss is supposed to protect against. In addition, environmental toxins cause chronic inflammation in the body and this inflammation can impair weight loss efforts in other ways. To be safe and successful in managing weight, detoxification is an essential feature of any protocol.

On a daily basis, our body deals with toxins in a variety of ways.

The digestive system first acts as a barrier to undesirable compounds and many are excreted before they can pass into the bloodstream.

Kidneys filter waste as well, but the liver is the champion of detoxification, working tirelessly to turn dangerous chemicals into more benign products that are easily disposed of. However, all these organs can be overloaded when too many toxins are dumped at once.

Walter Crinion is the author of “Clean, Green & Lean.” In his book, he cautions that rapid weight loss is the most dangerous type, and a slower approach is desirable. Dropping pounds quickly will open the chemical floodgates, allowing toxins to stream into the body at a rate which can overwhelm the natural detoxification mechanisms our bodies use to protect us.

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A healthier approach includes the following concepts: • Reduce the burden. What goes in is as important at what goes out. Sugars, food additives, pesticides and hormones, as well as common allergens such as gluten, dairy, and egg are generally avoided during successful detoxification regimens. Choose organic foods and don’t forget personal care, home and lawn care products. Use the most natural forms possible, as toxins can be absorbed through skin and inhalation.

• Drink up. Adequate fluid is essential for good kidney function, so drink at least 6-8 glasses of liquid daily. Optimal choices include filtered water, green tea, and small amounts of brightly colored, high antioxidant juices.

• Care for your liver. Certain herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion support and protect the liver.

They are particularly important during periods when toxicity is highest, but make sure to work with a professional to determine dosage.

• Fill up on Fiber. Fiber is like a broom, sweeping the bad guys out of the gut before they can be absorbed. Vegetables, legumes and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber, and should be included in any protocol.

• Grow good flora. Probiotics are important little bugs that play a critical role in normal detoxification processes. Since antibiotics will kill these desirable germs, most of us are lacking in adequate stores of these microbes. Eating fermented foods, or taking a good quality probiotic supplement can help restore the right balance.

• Relax in a sauna. Skin is an important detoxification organ, allowing sweat to remove poisons from the body. Twenty to 30 minutes in a sauna will enhance detox efforts (although any post sauna weight

loss is simply fluid, that will return as soon as you drink). Make sure the water used in the sauna is filtered, and does not add even more chemicals to the mix.

A safe and healthy detoxification program will promote slow weight loss, remove inflammatory foods, food additives, and chemicals and provide nutrients to support normal detoxification processes. They should not be fast (7 to 10 day cleanses will dump toxins quickly), and should include adequate levels of nutrients such as protein, which provides the key building blocks the liver requires to function. The choices can be confusing; some may be solely food based, others may include a hypoallergenic protein powder or other nutritional support, and each one may allow or prohibit certain foods. It is best to work with a qualified practitioner who will sort through the options, provide needed emotional and meal planning support and monitoring during the process. A sensible protocol should leave you feeling not only lighter, but better rested, more energetic, and clearer thinking as you shed chemicals and calories at the same time.

Vicki Kobliner MS RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition (www. holcarenutrition.com). Vicki works with infants, children and adults with digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD, autism and other chronic illness, and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. Vicki has extensive experience in using dietary modification, appropriate supplementation and functional lab testing to achieve optimal wellness. She can be reached at 203.834.9949 or vicki@holcarenutrition.com. See ad on page 25.

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Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

By Stephanie Torlone, DVM, CVA

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raditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, or TVCM, includes acupuncture, food therapy, herbal medicine, and Tui-na (a form of therapeutic massage). It is an ancient and complex system of medicine, which has been in continuous use for thousands of years. The basic concepts of TCVM are: • Yin-yang theory—the concept of two opposing, yet complementary, forces that must be in balance in the body • In the TCVM view, a vital energy or life force called Qi (also spelled “Chi”) circulates in the body through a system of pathways called meridians. Health is an ongoing process of maintaining balance and harmony in the circulation of Qi. • The TCVM approach uses eight principles to analyze symptoms and categorize conditions: cold/heat, interior/exterior, excess/ deficiency, and yin/yang.

• TCVM also uses the theory of five elements—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood— to explain how the body works; these elements correspond to particular organs and tissues in the body.

TCM diagnosis and treatment should be performed only by a licensed practitioner who has had advanced training. The patient is given a physical examination, and a detailed history is taken to determine the nature of the patient’s constitution, and the forces at work causing disease.

Acupuncture According to TCM, energy called Qi travels through the body on pathways called meridians. Acupuncture points are small areas on these pathways which have high numbers of nerve endings, lymphatics, inflammatory cells and small blood vessels.

Treatment of these areas can be done by insertion of fine needles, finger pressure, application of heat or therapeutic laser, electro-stimulation or injection of sterile 32

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saline. Treatment causes release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, leading to pain relief, increased circulation and other beneficial effects.

A typical acupuncture session lasts from 20-60 minutes. Some patients may show improvement after one session, but chronic problems often require several treatments.

Most animals are comfortable and relaxed during treatment; some will become drowsy or fall asleep. Sedation is not recommended, as it may interfere with the beneficial physiologic effects of treatment.

Chinese herbal medicine Chinese herbals generally consist of formulas containing from four to twelve herbs. Pills, powders and tinctures are the most common forms used to treat animal patients. Herbals may be used in addition to acupuncture in order to support and prolong the therapeutic effect, or they may be used by themselves to treat the disease pattern diagnosed by the practitioner. Problems that

can be treated with herbals range from skin inflammation to joint pain to internal medical problems, like chronic vomiting and liver disease. Behavioral issues can also be addressed with herbals. Duration of treatment may be from several days to several months. Herbal formulas are designed to treat the underlying deficiency or excess condition in the animal’s body which led to imbalance and disease, and thus their effects may be slower in onset than those of typical Western medications.

Food therapy “Let your food be your medicine” -- Hippocrates Just as herbs can cool where there is excess heat, or add moisture where there is too much dryness, food itself can help to correct imbalances in the body. This can be as simple as adding Ginger, lamb and other warming foods to the diet to treat a cold condition in the winter. Foods have different energies and Yin/Yang properties, and can be used therapeutically as part of the TCM plan for overall health.

Tui-na Tui-na is a hands-on therapy, which combines elements of acupressure and chiropractic to move Qi, relieve pain, restore the balance of Yin and Yang and regulate organ function. Animals generally enjoy this sort of treatment, which can often be performed by their owners at home, to enhance the effects of acupuncture and herbals.

It is especially helpful in musculoskeletal conditions where there is pain and stiffness.

Dr. Stephanie Torlone, D.V.M., C.V.A. Dr. Torlone is a 1995 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and a 2001 graduate of the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Reddick, Florida. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist who currently practices in East Lyme, Connecticut, and at other locations in Connecticut including WAGS, Wholesome Animal Grocery in Avon, CT. More information is available at Dr. Torlone’s website, acupuncturedog.com or by phone: 781-771-8055. See WAGS ad on page 13.

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Let’s Eat Out…And Lose Weight!

By Maribeth Abrams, MS

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vegetables (think zucchini, mushrooms, onions and red bell peppers), with the accompanying black beans, rice, pico and guacamole. Consider passing on the cheese and sour cream, while choosing either rice or the wraps.

A hearty Bean and Vegetable Burrito is another great choice. Usually listed on the menu but feel free to ask for one if you don’t see it, the bean and vegetable burrito is delicious, especially when stuffed with plenty of assorted grilled vegetables, smothered with ranchero sauce, and topped with freshly shredded lettuce and a dollop of guacamole.

ontrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go to a “health food” restaurant in order to enjoy a high fiber, low glycemic meal for a feeling of fullness on relatively few calories and very little fat.

Many of my clients dine out several times a week or more, while enjoying improved health and weight loss. Here are a few of the dining out tips that I recommend. Try them out, and don’t be surprised when fellow diners exclaim “I’ll have what she’s having!”

Italian Italian restaurant menus usually list an abundance of vegetable side dishes, such as broccoli rabe, spinach with garlic, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. Other side dishes are not listed as such. For example, a recent visit to a local Italian eatery showed salmon served on a bed of lentils with a side of grilled cauliflower and mango chutney.

The trick to getting spectacularly healthy meals in Italian restaurants is to create your own entree relying generously on these side dishes. For example, based on the above items, you could order roasted potatoes and lentils with grilled cauliflower and broccoli rabe, perhaps topped with sun-dried tomatoes which just about every Italian restaurant stocks.

Check out the soup selection for minestrone or hearty vegetable, along with an abundant salad topped with fresh, seasonal vegetables. Health Bonus: Swap out the

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Indian

cheese and/or croutons on the salad for artichoke hearts and/or avocado slices.

In the mood for pasta? Ask for three vegetable side dishes and a side of pasta marinara, and then mix them all together at the table.

It’s a huge improvement over the traditional “pasta with vegetables” which tends to be a whole lot of pasta with very few vegetables.

The beauty of dining Indian style is that this kind of food is naturally high in fiber due to an abundance of vegetables, lentils, chickpeas and potatoes. The herbs and spices in this aromatic food create tantalizing flavor. Dine with others and order family style.

Try: Dal (lentils), Channa Pindi (chickpeas, tomatoes, ginger), Aloo Gobi (cauliflower, potatoes and lots of Indian spices), Tomato Szar (spicy tomato soup), and Papadums (large crackers made from lentil flour) to be enjoyed with a selection of condiments.

Mexican

Japanese

Even if it’s not listed on the menu, you can almost always order vegetarian fajitas.

Just ask for an extra large serving of grilled

When dining Japanese, good choices include miso soup, seaweed salad, veg-

etable teriyaki, vegetable & tofu teriyaki, and sushi rolls stuffed with avocado, cucumber, carrot, pickled radish, inari (tofu), sweet potato, and/or asparagus. Consider limiting these rolls to one or two per person to keep the meal low glycemic.

Thai At Thai restaurants, go for Papaya Salad, Summer Rolls, and Tom Yom Soup. Brothy, spicy, and filled with fresh vegetables, ask for no shrimp in the Tom Yom if heart disease prevention is on your agenda.

Try just about any of the entrees with your choice of tofu or extra vegetables, and request brown rice rather than white to accompany your meal.

Have fun!

Dining out can be a rewarding, pleasurable experience. If dining out is part of your normal routine, then there is no reason that you have to alter this lifestyle factor to enjoy good health. So many of my clients have reached their health goals, including weight loss, while dining out on a very regular basis and they report great satisfaction in the process.

I invite you to do the same. Bon appetite!

Maribeth Abrams, MS is a Certified Nutritionist, Certified Lifestyle Educator, and author of two cookbooks loaded with “cheezey” nondairy recipes. She has been dairy-free for nearly 20 years and is the mother of two teens dairy-free since conception. See ad on page 18.

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Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome What Is It?...What To Do About It

By Henry C. Sobo, MD

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ibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are poorly understood conditions for both doctors and for the public, their potential patients. There is not one clear symptom or test that makes the diagnosis of either Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. The list of associated possible symptoms are long and varied and there is a great overlap between the two. Many people clearly would satisfy the criteria for both diagnoses and can be said to have Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

To be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue syndrome a person is said to have severe fatigue for at least 6 months or longer that is not relieved by rest and not due to medical or psychiatric conditions associated with fatigue. Suffering from this unexplained fatigue means that the patients who seek medical care are often told by their doctors that they can find nothing wrong with them, and that their tests are normal. When a doctor is presented with a patient who complains of fatigue they check for a host of medical problems that are known to cause fatigue.

Two of the most common are anemia, and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). The problem arises for both the patient and the doctor, when the doctor runs a series of tests and does not find that anything is abnormal. The doctor doesn’t have a treatment plan, and the patient is left without

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an understanding of what might be wrong, and often that results in the patient seeking yet another doctor’s opinion. But there is no test that defines chronic fatigue syndrome, and so a common scenario is that a person seeks care from a variety of different healthcare providers only to wind up just where they started…being told that nothing can be found.

Very often these patients are told that they must have an underlying depression which can be manifested as fatigue. The patient will be offered antidepressant medi-

cation even if they insist that they are not depressed. Many people are caught up in a cycle of testing and retesting, and even trying other antidepressant medications when the first one does not have any beneficial effect, all without benefit.

To further establish a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue syndrome, the patient is said to suffer from a number of the following symptoms: unrefreshing sleep, fatigue present before the day’s activities, impairment in short-term memory or concentration, postexertional malaise (prolonged exhaustion following physical activity that lasts more than 24 hours), muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches, recurring sore throats, tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes.

As pain is among the symptoms listed from chronic fatigue syndrome, one may logically ask, what is it that distinguishes someone as having fibromyalgia? There are two particular characteristics of fibromyalgia pain that make the diagnosis as laid out by the American College of Rheumatology in 1990. Fibromyalgia sufferers have a history of widespread pain for at least three months.

Widespread pain means that there is pain on both sides of the body, and also above and below the waist. And they have tender “trigger points.”

A doctor can perform an exam showing

that there are at least 11 of 18 identified specific locations around the body that patients tend to feel tenderness at. This would clinch the formal diagnosis, but in the real world, if a patient has the characteristic type of pain and associated symptoms of fibromyalgia, the clinical diagnosis is made without strict adherence to the number of eleven tender spots to use the diagnosis, as defined in the diagnostic criteria.

Now consider what one may find doing research on symptoms associated with fibromyalgia besides their pain: anxiety and depression, chronic headaches, dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes, sensitivity to cold and/or heat, inability to concentrate, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet, poor circulation in hands and feet (Reynaud’s phenomenon), restless leg syndrome, stiffness. There is quite an overlap.

So how does one decide whether their condition is Chronic Fatigue syndrome, or Fibromyalgia? For some patients with fatigue there is little pain, but for most with fibromyalgia pain, fatigue is also a large problem. So for many, it would seem that the most appropriate label would seem to be “Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”

Getting past the definitions we are left with patients who have a whole host of problems for which there is no clear cure.

There are two medications that have been approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia pain, Cymbalta and Savella. Both have the chemical characteristics of antidepressants. A variable effect has been found in patients, and although helpful for some, these are not the real answer to this problem. There is also no clearly known single cause and there cannot be one cure to the variety of problems that are associated, and the symptoms that manifest with Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia.

No wonder that these patients have a difficult condition to bear, and the doctor has a difficult condition to try and treat. If there is no clear treatment then what can be done?

Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Where Integrative Medicine is Essential

Doctors treating this need to think “out of the box “with regard to natural therapies including dietary approaches that provide so much more than simply using medications for symptom relief. To even attempt to heal the person’s system as a whole, a holistic approach taking into account mind-body connection, dietary and lifestyle influences and the like, provide the best hope for sufferers.

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Attending to underlying food and other environmental sensitivities is crucial for many people who suffer from Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue. Dietary control by temporary elimination of problem foods and immunotherapy for sensitivities to foods, mold, dust and other allergens can make a dramatic difference for some.

A complete evaluation of Chronic Fatigue/ Fibromyalgia sufferers requires a thorough investigation of hormonal balance.

Many people without an overt proven medical condition such as hypothyroidism are still found to have suboptimal levels leading to the patient being untreated. Striving for optimized

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levels and consideration of adrenal stress and borderline dysfunction, is not emphasized in most medical offices which do not routinely care for Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia patients.

Getting adequate rest for the body through restful sleep is an essential element in caring for these patients. There are a number of methods to enhance sleep before resorting to medications as a last resort. The first and simplest, but unfortunately the least used practice, is deep breathing techniques or some form of meditation to reduce stress and help insomnia. A nutritional supplement approach is successful for many with disturbed sleep using amino acids like 5- HTP, GABA, l-glycine and theanine. There are many helpful herbal compounds that can be safely tried.

These could include valerian root, passion flower, hops, chamomile, and skullcap. Melatonin, a hormone, is a well known sleep aid, and hormonal balancing may help sleep not only for menopausal women but in younger women and for men as well.

A safe technology of note is called CES (Cranial Electrical Stimulation.) It allows the user of a small home device to create a more relaxed pattern of brain waves which promotes sleep in insomnia sufferers, and also provides general daytime relief of stress. A related technology provides pain relief through electrical stimulation of affected body parts, and both modalities can be used for those who suffer from the pain of fibromyalgia, and the insomnia and stress which inevitably accompanies their pain.

Infections may play a role in others and needs to be considered by physicians. In the northeast particularly, the possibility of

underlying Lyme disease should be evaluated.

In that case labs specializing in infectious disease testing should be consulted, as the known percentage of “false negative“ tests are too high. Unfortunately a “false negative” test, meaning that the person tests negative despite having the problem being tested for, has been proven to commonly occur in Lyme disease.

Other infections such as Epstein Barr Virus and other viruses, or Candida yeast are common associated factors in Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia syndromes. The integrative approach to infections involves not only specific measures which can be taken against the infectious agent, but enhancement and monitoring the status of immune functioning of the patient.

In summary, the causes of Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are many and the applied therapies can be many as well.

Whichever may be the most prominent factor; hormonal imbalance, infections, food intolerances or stress and sleep problems, the best approach is to address everything in an interrelated treatment program, individually tailored to address the needs of the variety of people who suffer from these common and often debilitating conditions. With this approach there is hope and effective treatment.

Henry C. Sobo, M.D. practices Integrative Medicine in Stanford, CT. For more information see his website at www.drsobo.com or call the office at 203-348-8805. 111 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT. optimalhealth@ optonline.net.

Healthy Self

Dr. Lauren Gouin, ND

How to Overcome Sugar Addiction

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ne of the biggest roadblocks to weight loss, contributors to chronic disease and nemesis to a whole foods diet is one of the mainstays in most American kitchens…sugar. Diets high in sugar have been implicated in cardiovascular disease, with an increased risk of heart attack as well as increasing bad cholesterol levels. Mood disorders, immune system imbalance, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes all have connections with this simple sweet substance that has become a staple in our diets. Limiting sugar intake has been advised by the World Health Organization, who recommends less than 10% of our diet should be sugar. For many people however, any amount of sugar may become too much. In 1975, sugar was first identified as an addictive substance with the book “Sugar Blues”. Today, research has begun to validate the theory that much like other addictive substances, sugar can cause cravings, withdrawal, binges and other behaviors associated with substance dependence.

Symptoms of a Sugar Addiction Kathleen DesMaisons first started research in 1998, showing that there is a physiologic response of human’s neurotransmitters to sugar similar to other addictive substances. Her research also showed how the relationship of some people with sugar meets the definition of addiction in the main psychology text, DSM-IV. Only three of these criteria need to be met to be considered a dependence: 1. Tolerance. Over time, an increase in intake of sugar evokes less and less of an effect. People over time may become desensitized to the amount of sugar in their diet, and may not have the energy rush or euphoria they once experienced with a “sugar high”.

2. Withdrawal. Cutting sugar completely out of one’s diet may evoke withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms have even been documented in rats that have sugar taken out of their diet, where they shake and chatter their teeth.

3. Excess. Sugar is consumed in larger than intended amounts and for longer than intended. A few pieces of candy can quickly become a box of candy.

4. Unsuccessful quitting or desire to quit. Many New Year’s resolutions involve low sugar or no sugar diets. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions do not survive past February or March.

5. Time spent acquiring, consuming and recovering. Unfortunately it is all too easy to acquire sugar in our culture, however the consuming and recovery are often signs of addiction. No one feels good after a carton of ice cream.

6. Influencing other activities. Recreational or social activities are impacted by a person’s relationship with sugar.

7. Continue despite the knowledge of consequences. Weight gain, mood swings, acne and more. The list of symptoms from consuming excessive dietary sugar often does not dissuade people.

Many people fail at their attempts to diet because they are approaching weight loss or other health goals without looking at their dependence on sugar.

Naturopathic Approach to Sugar Addiction Balancing a sugar addicted body includes counseling, supporting a new relationship with food, and feeding healthy biochemical pathways.

Lifestyle Medicine Nutritional counseling should involve not just recipes and a template of how healthy meals should look, but also finding an individual’s eating patterns and where new habits need to be nurtured. Some people eat mindlessly while watching television. Others are emotional or stress eaters.

A satisfying low sugar meal plan can help take people off the sugar roller coaster and develop a sustainable new relationship with food.

Nutrient Support There are many known minerals and nutrients that have been shown to help stabilize blood sugar, mood and energy levels making the transition to a sugar free life easier. Chromium, omega 3 essential fatty acids, vanadium, selenium and Vitamin D are just a few of the nutrients that people may be lacking in their diet, making dependence on sugar worse. Levels of some of these nutrients can be determined from blood tests or otherwise assessed when looking at their diet. Proper biochemical support enables creating new lifestyle habits by helping to reduce cravings, improve mood and increase energy levels.

Acupuncture for Addiction Acupuncture has been used for decades in traditional addiction settings. Ear acupuncture has been studied and found to be very effective at treating many types of addiction, from narcotics to sugar addiction. Five simple points in each ear stimulate detoxification, organ function and calm the nervous system. In conjunction with other therapies, acupuncture has been well established to be an effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well as establish a new balance for the body.

For many people, sweets and treats invoke wonderful memories of childhood, but a physiological and/or psychological dependence on sugar can cause health problems. A whole body approach to sugar addiction can allow for enjoying memories of grandma’s desserts without having them sabotage health goals.

Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. She is currently accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies. To make an appointment, call (860)533-0179 or visit www. ctnaturalhealth.com. See ad on page 27.

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The HCG Diet

By Helene Pulnik, ND

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he HCG diet was developed originally by Dr. A.T.W Simeons, MD, a British endocrinologist. His protocol and medical findings were published in his manuscript “Pounds & Inches.” He established a clinic in Rome, Italy in the 1950’s where he developed a reputation for safe and effective weight loss with his HCG diet protocol.

According to Dr. Simeons, obesity in all its many forms is due to an abnormal functioning of some part of the body and that every ounce of abnormally accumulated fat is always the result of the same disorder of certain regulatory mechanisms. He was ahead of his time when he described obesity as a disorder originating from the diencephalon, a part of the hypothalamus in the brain which regulates body weight.

Dr. Simeons observed that when patients were eating meals when they were not hungry, the food that was not being used by the body as fuel was stored as fat. He went on to describe three kinds of fat: The first is the structural fat which fills the gaps between various organs, a sort of packing material. Structural fat also performs such important functions as bedding the kidneys in soft elastic tissue, protecting the coronary arteries and keeping the skin smooth and taut. It also provides the springy cushion of hard fat under the bones of the feet, without which we would be unable to walk.

The second type of fat is a normal reserve of fuel upon which the body can freely

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draw when the nutritional income from the intestinal tract is insufficient to meet the demand. Such normal reserves are localized all over the body. Fat is a substance which packs the highest caloric value into the smallest space so that normal reserves of fuel for muscular activity and the maintenance of body temperature can be most economically stored in this form. Both these types of

fat, structural and reserve, are normal, and even if the body stocks them to capacity this can never be called obesity, according to Dr. Simeons.

The third type of fat described by Dr. Simeons is a type of fat which is entirely abnormal. He concluded that it is the accumulation of such fat, and of such fat only, from which the overweight patient suffers.

This abnormal fat is also a potential reserve of fuel, but unlike the normal reserves it is not available to the body in a nutritional emergency. It is, so to speak, locked away in a fixed deposit and is not kept in a current account, as are the normal reserves.

Dr. Simeons observed that when an obese patient tries to reduce by starving him or herself, they will first lose his normal fat reserves. When these are exhausted he begins to burn up structural fat, and only as a last resort will the body yield its abnormal reserves, though by that time the patient usually feels so weak and hungry that the diet is abandoned. It is just for this reason that obese patients complain that when they diet they lose the wrong fat. They feel famished and tired and their face becomes drawn and haggard, but their belly, hips, thighs and upper arms show little improvement. The fat they have come to detest stays on, and their skin wrinkles.

Dr. Simeons discovered that the cause of obesity was due to one very specific diencephalic deficiency, and that the only way to cure obesity was to correct this deficiency.

He found that by using HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone present in all humans, and in higher levels in pregnant women, along with a very low calorie diet, kept the structural fat and muscle intact while only breaking down abnormal, toxic fat.

Dr. Simeons’ research revealed that HCG maximizes the functional capacity of the hypothalamus, including the diencephalon, or what he called “the fat center,” making it possible for fat to be released from abnormal fat deposits and to become a source of fuel for the body. The HCG Diet has become very popular in recent years, due to its safety and effectiveness in helping men and women lose weight and keep it off.

An HCG weight loss program is designed for easy application in your everyday life. It isn’t about points, prepared foods or starvation – just simple, healthy alternatives that can shape you for life. Factors such as stress, adrenal fatigue, depression, emotional eating, high levels of toxins in the body, eating the wrong diet, insomnia, thyroid imbalances, metabolic imbalances, and food allergies are only some of the reasons why you could have previously been unsuccessful in keeping the lost weight off.

An HCG program will help: • Define personal behavioral patterns necessary in facilitating permanent lifestyle changes.

• Provide you with personal coaching for optimal weight loss success – helping you off that proverbial fence to an awareness of your relationship with food both physically and mentally.

• Give you continued support through our long-term maintenance program.

• Boost your self image. The way you value yourself (not how others value you) is important – if you don’t do for your self, it doesn’t get done. You will understand this more as we move through your weight loss journey.

• Makeover your Metabolism – allowing you to burn more calories and lose more weight.

Along with your commitment to your self and the assistance of homeopathic Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), a natural hormone that aides in increasing energy, suppression of appetite, and break down of difficult to lose fat storages you can lose a healthy 3040 pounds in a 7 week program, although individual results vary.

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND and our Certified Life Coach and Weight Loss Assistant, Teena Tautkus, have guided hundreds of male and female patients ranging in age from teens to seniors in attaining their goal of a healthier, happier, lighter self. Call (860) 657-4105 now and “Get Started” on a new you for Life! If you need additional motivation and have a competitive spirit, you will want to join us on January 4, 2012 when we start our own version of the Biggest Loser with our Smallest Winner Program. Do the program yourself or with a friend – it doesn’t matter. Just come on out and have some fun getting healthier, happier and getting into your own Little Black Dress (Black Tux for the guys!) As an additional incentive for losing the most will be a $100 gift certificate to Macy’s so you can get your own Little Black Dress/ Black Tux and wear it proudly. www.naturopathicwellness.com. See ad on page 5.

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Why Do I Feel So Dizzy?

By Andrew Gregory, DC

W

henever a patient tells me they feel dizzy, I first ask them to clarify what they mean. Do they mean they feel lightheaded, like they might faint when they stand up too fast? Are they unsteady when walking on uneven ground?

Or do they sense movement when they shouldn’t? There are many different situations that can make a person feel off balance; some are harmless, while others may represent a medical emergency.

For the purposes of this article we will focus on vertigo; an illusion of motion typically described as spinning. Patients with vertigo typically feel like the world is spinning, but if the condition has been present for a long time they may actually begin to perceive that their body is spinning as opposed to the world around them. Patients frequently have nausea associated with this sensation of spinning and may vomit. No matter what it looks like when it happens, it should come as no surprise to someone with vertigo that the room isn’t really spinning.

They experience this illusion because their eyes are being moved back and forth by an inner ear reflex. The back and forth eye movement is called nystagmus. If you don’t have balance problems and you want to feel this reflex for yourself, just close your eyes and lightly put your fingertips on your eyelids as you quickly turn your head from side to side. The slight pulsating feeling under your fingertips exists because our eye muscles and inner ear normally work together as a team. That way when our head moves, our eyes can stay focused on whatever we are looking at.

While there are many different causes of vertigo, the most common cause happens to be the least harmful and the easiest to treat.

Benign positional vertigo, BPV, occurs when

small crystals become dislodged in the inner ear and find their way into a different part of the inner ear where they don’t belong.

The loose debris then rattles around where it shouldn’t and certain head positions cause the crystals to trigger the nerves that are normally only activated by movement. As a result, our brain is tricked into feeling as though we are spinning, even though we are not. BPV is often caused following a blow to the head or motor vehicle accident. It can also be associated with seasonal allergies or upper respiratory infection. However, in many people, no specific cause can be identified.

Patients will typically say that rolling over in bed, sleeping on one side or looking up to a high shelf will cause the room to spin around them. Bending forward to tie a shoe and then sitting back upright will frequently trigger an episode as well. The vertigo episodes are typically brief, lasting from several seconds to a minute or two. The spinning sensation then tends to subside as long as they hold their head still. While this type of vertigo is called benign (harmless), it certainly doesn’t seem that way to the person

~ Now Accepting New Patients ~

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Natural Nutmeg January 2012

who has it. Symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, fever, loss of vision or hearing or headache are NOT associated with benign positional vertigo and indicate a more serious situation which may be a medical emergency and should not be ignored.

If left alone, some people with benign positional vertigo will improve after several weeks, although for other people the condition can persist for years. Standard medical treatment often includes Meclizine, which doesn’t fix the problem but tends to lessen the severity of the spinning sensation and replaces it with a drowsy feeling. Unfortunately, many of the people who suffer from BPV will experience another episode within the next year or so.

Fortunately there is a very safe and effective treatment for benign positional vertigo that is completely natural and only takes several minutes to perform. The trick is to first identify which one of the six semicircular canals in the inner ear has the crystals stuck in it. The way this is typically done is to look for certain eye movements called nystagmus when the head is placed in specific positions that activate one inner ear canal more than the others. The movements are sometimes subtle and are better seen by using infrared goggles or a special set of lenses to magnify and record the eye. Once the affected inner ear canal is identified there is a specific repositioning maneuver which involves having the patient lie down and then slowly rolling the patient over as their head is held in certain positions so that the crystals can exit the canal and get back into a part of the ear where they won’t cause vertigo. While it is not uncommon for a patient that has been dizzy for months to be cured after one treatment, patients sometimes need to do certain home exercises afterwards to help their brain relearn what it is like to have a normal functioning inner ear again.

Dr. Andrew Gregory is a board certified chiropractic neurologist with training in vestibular rehabilitation. He is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, a Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology, a Fellow of the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Specialties and a Registered Nerve Conduction Technologist. Visit www.FunctionForLife.com for more information about his practice in South Windsor, CT. See ad on page 36.

Thyroid

Connecting The Dots

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By Ann Aresco, ND

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atients always want to hear that weight they can’t lose is from an underactive thyroid. Weight gain is almost always due to an under active thyroid, but not the way most people think of it. Your underactive thyroid is probably the result of some other issue that can be corrected with or without a pill. But each individual needs to decide the best way to correct their own thyroid issue. This includes the choice of the type of medicine they wish to pursue and the choices are many.

Western or allopathic medicine focuses on the use of pharmaceuticals. Naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, Ayurvedic Medicine all tend to be more preventative and wholistic, treating the cause and not just the symptoms.

Everyone is a medical consumer at some point in their life. Many medical consumers aren’t aware that they have many treatment options from which to choose. Most patients decide which medicine to choose once a crisis has hit and the symptoms are apparent. Some will look into a different medicine after trying everything one type of medicine has to offer fails to alleviate the symptoms.

Learning which medicine is more likely to suit you before you need it would be a form of prevention. It’s your health, you decide.

If the inability to lose weight is the only symptom related to the possible thyroid issue, an evaluation of diet and exercise would obviously be the first area to address.

As we age our metabolism naturally slows down. In order to keep weight under control, changes to lifestyle are key. Calorie counting may be needed to verify consumption of 1500 calories or less a day. Complete a diet diary and use one of the online programs like Sparkpeople.com to verify the calories.

Many people are shocked at the number of calories they are consuming unwittingly.

Math for calorie counters simplified: the average person with average activity will burn 1500 calories a day. If you eat the same your weight won’t change. Eat less and your body will burn some of the extra calories that are stored. A body needs to burn 3500 calories to lose 1 lb. So eating 1000 calories a day, burning an extra 500 a day for 7 days will burn one pound. Whether it is or isn’t

a thyroid issue, lifestyle is going to make all the difference with the weight issue.

If there are more symptoms such as hair loss or chills or muscle pains, joint pain, heart palpitations, low basal body temperature, poor immune response, mood symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, sleep too much, forgetful, headaches, dry hair and or eyes, skin pigmentation, high cholesterol, constipation, infertility, muscle weakness, – ok you get the idea.

The thyroid is so connected to the metabolic processes in the body that just about any symptom that involves a metabolic process can be related to the thyroid.

Problems with kidneys or liver can cause the metabolites needed for thyroid hormones to be out of balance. Adrenal issues can cause thyroid problems. Heat production is regulated by the thyroid hormone increasing oxygen consumption to stimulate the metabolism which also needs sodium and potassium, and involves the metabolism for carbohydrates, fats and proteins. When this is out of balance you get chills. Nutrients required for thyroid metabolism process include iodine, vitamin E, selenium (frequently deficient in our food supply), niacin, other B vitamins (B vitamins are complex to digest properly), vitamin D (most people today are deficient in vitamin D) as well as deficiency in any other nutrient causing an imbalance in another organ or gland needed to keep thyroid function optimal. The thyroid needs

a signal from your pituitary gland via Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or TSH, to make more thyroid hormone. T4 then converts that hormone into a more active hormone T3 in the liver. Again you get the idea.

Did you get all that? You don’t have to.

The point is that a thyroid issue may not be just a thyroid issue. The best way to really correct a thyroid issue is to look at the big picture of overall health and correct any imbalance that might be causing the problems with the thyroid. Looking at health history, current symptoms, lab results for thyroid and correcting any imbalances that could directly or indirectly affect the function of the thyroid hormones is the most effective way to correct thyroid related issues.

Getting the big picture is an important part of resolving health issues. Deciding what the best treatment option is will be the decision of the patient. Even if already being treated by one type of medicine, there is no reason not to see what other alternatives might be useful. Making a decision on one’s health shouldn’t be to take the pill or not take the pill. It should be a decision about how to improve overall health to prevent more or worsening health issues. It’s your health, you decide.

Submitted by Ann Aresco, ND of ProNatural Physicians Group LLC located at 355 New Britain Rd. in Kensington, CT. For more information, call 860-505-0702. See ad on page 20.

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Community Calendar Listings in red are held in Fairfield County Sunday, January 1st New Year’s Day Meditation. 12p.m1:30p.m. FREE. Join in this guided meditation which will help you release old beliefs, habits and thought patterns and shift your energy to a new way of being. Space is limited and registration is required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Thursday, January 5th Self Mastery: Understanding The 4 Bodies of Living Consciousness. 7-8:30pm. $111. 6 week Webinar/Teleseminar with Colleen Behan, Metaphysician In this course we will take an in depth look at understanding The 4 Bodies of Living Consciousness: Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, which makes up our personal matrix. The Spirit of Light, 1161 S Broad St. Wallingford, CT. call 203-641-3371 or email colleen@ thespiritoflight.org.

Meditation for the 2012 New Year.

6:30pm-8:30pm $20. Allow yourself to access the new and powerful energies of the transformational and multidimensional levels of the new consciousness of the present times and the times to come. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford.

To register contact Gayle Franceschetti @203-265-2927 203-265-2927 email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.

Friday, January 6th Mom’s Night Out. 7:30 – 9:00pm. $18.

Celebrating Motherhood Yoga Style - with Peace & Quiet! Treat yourself to moving meditation yoga with yogi mom, Dori Sargent. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Space is limited so please pre-register

by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 Crystal Bowls Sound Healing. 7 - 8:30 pm. $15. Edie Jemiola, RMT, facilitates this monthly offering. Sound used with intention can shift the energy in and around the body to help reestablish physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 West Center Street, Manchester, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Edie: 860-933-8145.

Sunday, January 8th Lunar Flow Yoga. 5:00 – 7:00 pm. With Erika Halford. Pre-register/pre-pay for $20 or $25 at the door. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Space is limited so please pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545

Tuesday, January 10th Integrative Health Coaching: Free Information Session. Learn about a new spirit and values-based coach training program rooted in the principles of Integrative Health! 7 to 8:30 pm at The Graduate Institute. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. Visit www.learn.edu/ events or call (203) 874-4252 to RSVP. Abundance/Manifestation. 5 session series, 6:30-8:30pm. Also Jan. 17, 24, 31 & Feb 7th. Cost $97 entire 5 session series- includes companion book.

Learn how focus your intent and energy to create and manifest abundance in all its forms. Discover the keys to open your gates to allow and accept that which is rightfully yours. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Contact Gayle @203265-2927, sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or www.return2love.com.

intuitive readings  angel therapy®  hypnosis  reiki

health coaching  development circles  workshops

Priscilla Bengtson Scan with your smart phone to learn more

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99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury www.healinginharmonycenter.com860.632.8434

Natural Nutmeg January 2012

Wednesday, January 11th

Friday, January 13th

Healing in Harmony Night. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. FREE. Participants will sit individually with a healer and receive an 8 – 10 minute healing. No reservation required. You will be served in the order in which you enter the center. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For information please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Firefly Yoga for Kids. 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. $30.00. Join this fun and creative yoga class for kids, grades 3-5! Move and groove and create fun poses, learn breathing techniques to soothe or energize, play yoga games, and get creative with journal writing and drawing.

The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register please call 860.301.1468 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

HCG Health & Medical Weight Loss Program. “Get Started” Educational Classes. Also Thursday, Jan. 26th.

6-7pm. Class fee $20. Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, 18 School Street, Glastonbury. 860-657-4105. www. naturopathicwellness.com. Call 860657-4105 to register for your class.

Thursday, January 12th Astral Travel. 6:30pm-8:30pm $20.

Learn to safely travel the mental and ethereal realms to free yourself from the limitations of the earth’s plane and the laws of time and space. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. To register or for more information contact Gayle @203-2652927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net 21 Day Detoxification & Cleansing Group Program. 6-7pm. Also Jan. 18th & 25th. Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, 18 School Street, Glastonbury. 860657-4105. www.naturopathicwellness. com. Call 860-657-4105 to register for your class.

The 5 Secrets to Weight Loss. 7-8 PM. Free. 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT. Call 203-740-9300 to reserve your seat.

Learn why calorie counting doesn’t lead to permanent weight loss; how eating healthier leads to more energy, balanced hormones and a greater sense of well-being. Learn about the negative effects of some over-the-counter and prescription drugs and that there is a safe, natural system of total body wellness.

Awakening the Healer Within. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $35.00. Learn to activate your healer within and learn simple self-care practices such as Qigong, Meditation and Tai Chi Easy™. Center your posture, create natural breathing and be present during slow, gentle movements as you awaken the healer within. The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury.

To register, please call PJ Harder at 860.729.1843 or visit www.thehealthyself.net.

Saturday, January 14th Soul Connections – Gallery Readings.

7-9pm $50. Join Kerri Mitchell, Master Intuitive Psychic for an evening of SOUL CONNECTIONS. In a gallery setting Kerri will invite guests to receive a personal reading as she translates guidance and messages from a Soul perspective. The Spirit of Light, 1161 S Broad St. Wallingford, CT. call 203641-3371 or email colleen@thespiritoflight.org Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory & Terminology. 9:30 - 4:30 PM. $489.00.

Also Jan. 15th and Feb. 11th & 12th.

Through recognition of patterns, TCM describes disharmonies without diagnosing disease. This course also serves as the foundation on which our Chinese Herbology Intensive is built upon. Laura Mignosa, Nationally Certified Chinese Herbologist, Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (RT 175), Wethersfield, CT. 860-666-5064.

WWW.CTHerbschool.com.

Alexander Technique Introductory Class 9am-10am. Free Do you wish that you had better posture and balance?

This world-renowned technique teaches you how to take care of yourself while at work or home, so that you can move your body more efficiently and prevent harmful ways of moving that cause pain and stress. To register contact Miller AT, Farmington, CT 860-656-6177. www. millerat.com.

Psychic Saturday. 10:00a.m – 4 p.m. $20.00 for a 20-minute reading. Stop by or pre-schedule a private reading with Intuitive and Angel Therapy Practitioner® Priscilla Bengtson. Pre-scheduling is highly recommended. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To preschedule an appointment, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or email appointment@healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, January 15th Women’s Empowerment Meditation.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. $25.00. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. We invite in our angels and guides to help us release those things that keep us stuck. The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Mother and Daughter Yoga. 3:30 p.m.

– 5:00 p.m. $40.00. Explore simple breathing techniques to reduce stress and stay present, play with basic yoga poses to loosen up your muscles, and have fun with partner poses. Daughters age 8 and older. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Tuesday, January 17th Dare to Be Different. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Challenge yourself to make radical changes in the way you respond to life. Understand why you are stuck, why you stay there and how to get unstuck. Attend this work-

shop and dare to be different! Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register please call 860.301.1468 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Thursday, January 19th 3 Day Guided Organic Juice Fast.

6-7pm. Also Jan. 21, 10am-11am.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, 18 School Street, Glastonbury. 860-6574105. www.naturopathicwellness.com.

Call 860-657-4105 to register for your class.

SOPHIA Home Care Workshop. 7-8:30 PM. Free. 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT. Call 203-740-9300 to reserve seats for you and your partner. Learn how to do trigger point therapy to help reduce muscle tension and stress in your body.

Reducing stress in the body improves your immune system and helps your body heal faster. Learn the three causes of illness and what you can do to improve your health naturally.

A Paradigm Shift in the World of Work, Money, Ownership, Economics. 7-8:30 pm. Free. Hear about emerging models of the “New Economy”, and how they might be part of the planetary “New Story” as well as our own transformations. Presented by Len Krimerman, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Connecticut. Conduit Center, 1227 Burnside Avenue, Suite #1, East Hartford, CT, 860-888-4314.

Friday, January 20th Cranial Temple Certification Course.

3-Day Intensive with Instructor, Colleen Behan, Metaphysician. Fri 6-9pm, SatSun 9-5pm. $425. Early Bird $375 by January 10. Save & Share - sign up with a friend you both save $50. Activate the Pineal Gland, a small endocrine gland in the brain that is responsible for our connection to our higher self. The Spirit of Light, 1161 S Broad St. Wallingford, CT. call 203-641-3371. or email colleen@thespiritoflight.org.

Gallery Night. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Enjoy an intimate evening of

learning about angels and guides and experiencing intuitive readings with medium and certified Angel Therapy Practitioner®, Priscilla Bengtson. Everyone in attendance will receive a message. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or email registration@ healinginharmonycenter.com.

Saturday, January 21st

from spirit energies which they don’t understand. In this workshop kids will explore the angelic realm and learn different ways to connect with the angels and guides.Taught in a kid-friendly way for ages 8 through 13. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Thursday, January 26th

Reiki II. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. $150.00.

Receive attunements to higher frequencies of universal energy and enhance your healing work. Learn how to do distance healing, as well as heal mental, emotional and past life issues. Participants receive a manual and certificate.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Group Past Life Regression. 6:30pm8:30pm $20. Through exploration of your past lives, learn some of the reasons you are repeating patterns, why you were born into your particular family or why you have certain behaviors.

36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. No previous experience necessary. To register or for more information please contact Gayle Franceschetti at 203-265-2927 203-265-2927 email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.

Sunday January 22nd

Friday, January 27th

Reiki I – 9am-1:pm $125 Reiki attunes you to receive the universal, life force energy. Learn to do Reiki treatments on yourself and others. Materials/certificate included. 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford To register or for more information please contact Gayle @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

Permission to Live. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $35.00. Join us for an evening of being in community to learn, share and celebrate the feminine spirit. Give yourself permission to take the time to relax and reconnect with your truest self. Circle is held the last Friday of each month. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call PJ Harder at 860.729.1843 or visit www. thehealthyself.net.

Asana Alignment; Sequencing; Language & Themes. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. $175. With Danny Arguetty. Teaching through themes not only deepens your spirit as a teacher, but also engages your students in a fresh, vibrant, and inviting way. Continuing Education Units for RYTs. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Space is limited so please pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

Wednesday, January 25th Angels 101 for Kids. 4:30p.m. – 6p.m. $35.00. Children are of a higher frequency and often receive messages

Saturday, January 28th Introduction to Trance Channeling.

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $60.00 (Register for both classes this day and pay only $100.00). Take your mediumship skills to another level by working in a deeper trance state and allowing Spirit to work through you. Learn a simple process to assist you in going deep into trance state.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Mobile Medical, llc dr. HeatHer M. Veronesi naturopatHic pHysician 191 Albany Turnpike,Suite 301 PO Box 193,Canton, CT 06019 860-601-1318 NaturalNutmeg.com

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Calendar Saturday, January 28th Introduction to Trance Healing. 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. $60.00 (Register for both classes this day and pay only $100.00). Trance healing is a passive process which permits Spirit forces to direct specific healing energies to a person through the mind and aura of a medium.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, January 29th Travel As A Vegan. 4:30pm. Northern Connecticut Vegetarians’ Potluck features Maria Giurcan. She is the author of the Book How To Travel The World As A Vegan and the website www. veganworldtrekker.com which explore vegan cuisine around the world. Bring a healthy vegan dish to share along with your recipe and your name. A $8 donation is requested. Children are free.

Carniglia Senior Center, 41 Oak Street, Windsor Locks. For more information, see www.northctveg.org or email Harry at veggyharry@aol.com.

Taoist Healing Arts Fair. 2 - 8 pm. Join us for this special one-day event to celebrate the Taoist healing arts! Workshop presenters, Tai Chi, Qi Gong & martial arts demonstrations, local art exhibition: Entering Into Stillness, massage & auricular therapy, tea tasting & ceremony, healing herbs, traditional music, Asian New Year & cultural arts celebration. $30 at the door all-day admission or $20 early registration online. Visit www.sundo.org. West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium & Conference Center, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107.

Tuesday, January 31st Money and the Law of Attraction. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Learn to apply the principles of the Law of Attraction to your financial life. Participants will take home practical tools to use every day to increase the flow of energy for financial success. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Ongoing Events

organization benefiting all people whose lives are touched by this devastating disease. Yoga Therapy classes are free to those diagnosed with MS with funding provided by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. The classes are taught

by Paula Scopino, owner and director of Sacred Rivers Yoga as well as Susan Taff. Sacred Rivers Yoga 2934 Main St., Glastonbury, CT. 860.657.9545 www. sacredriversyoga.com.

The Thought Exchange - A Workshop with David Friedman. 7pm. A spiritual support group based on observing the thought/sensation connection to manifestation. “What if your life is just a reflection of your thoughts?”

Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford Dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk.

203.855.7922 www.unitycenterps.org.

Tong Ren Healing Class: 7-8pm. $10. each class. Instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine, studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years, he received the authentic Yang Style teaching from his Sifu Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung. He studied Tong Ren Healing with Master Tom Tam since 1994. Wu Healing Center , 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford, CT. 800-990-9332. www. wuhealing.com.Tel: 978-461-2168 (Office)978-790-8888 (Cell).

Mom & Baby Yoga with Jennifer Errickson. 12-1pm $16 drop in, Series price also available. Breathe, stretch, and strengthen your body and spirit all while enjoying, stimulating, and bonding with your baby. Visit www.sacredriversyoga. com for more information. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

TUESDAY Tai Chi/Qi Gong classes. Lee Holden’s QiGong/Tai Chi as seen on PBS. 7pm.

Qigong/Tai Chi for more energy, clarity & healing. Marcey Hickey Certified Instructor. The Suffield House 1 Canal Rd Suffield CT. Call 860-844-8535 All Levels Vinyasa. 5:45-6:45pm. $16 drop in, class cards available. Maeve Ryan combines the stretching and relaxation of gentle yoga with the heatbuilding core and balance work of vinyasa flow yoga. All are welcome. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. 06033.

860.657.9545.

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Yoga Therapy classes for those with Multiple Sclerosis. 10:45 am. Sacred Rivers has been working with the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, a non profit

Yoga for Runners. 7 – 8pm. With Paula Scopino. $10 per person. Join the Glastonbury River Runners in a weekly yoga class designed specifically to

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stretch and strengthen the areas of the body that are affected by running. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033.

860.657.9545.

Mindfulness for Middle Schoolers and Teens. January 11 – February 22, 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Fee: $100 for 7 weeks.

Participants will be introduced to the concepts of Mindfulness tailored to middle school and high school aged students, and will experiment first-hand with various simple-but-effective mindfulness techniques in each 30 minute lesson. Visit www.sacredriversyoga. com for more information. Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

Yoga Therapy classes for those with Multiple Sclerosis. 10:45am. See details under Monday listing. Sacred Rivers Yoga is located at 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. 860.657.9545 www. sacredriversyoga.com.

THURSDAY Qi Gong with Dr. Anne Mitchell.

QiGong is a healing practice similar to Tai Chi. Qi Gong qualifies as weight bearing exercise and will help osteopenia and osteoporosis. It will strengthen your core muscles and stabilize your spine. It will help you find peace and quiet within yourself. Common Benefits of Qi Gong are serenity, clarity of mind, focus, strength pain relief. Classes are Thursday at 5:30pm in our 2 Broadway, North Haven location Call to sign up and reserve a spot. 203-239-3400. $10 cash per person, Bring a friend and you each get 1/2 your first visit.

Tai Chi/Qi Gong classes. Lee Holden’s QiGong/Tai Chi as seen on PBS. 9:30am.

Qigong/Tai Chi for more energy, clarity & healing. Marcey Hickey Certified Instructor. First Church, 81 High St., Suffield CT. Call 860-844-8535.

A Brush With Soul. 2nd Thursday Monthly. 7:00-9:00 pm Explore your Self with expressive arts—led by Alexandra Philippas.. All are welcome.

Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford Dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk.

203.855.7922 Healing Prayers. 3rd Thursday Monthly. 7:00pm. Healing oneself through prayer with Karen Mitchell. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford Dealership.

3 Main St. Norwalk.

203.855.7922

FRIDAY Bible Study. 2nd & 4th Friday Monthly.

7:00 pm. Watch video presentation of new Testament book, followed by discussion with Rev. Shawn Moninger.

Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford Dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk.

203.855.7922 Bible Study. 3th Friday Monthly 7:00 pm. In depth Bible study with Rev. Ed Townley. Love offering. Unity Center above the Ford Dealership. 3 Main St. Norwalk. 203.855.7922

SATURDAY Tai Chi Class. 9-11am. Instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine who studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years, he received the authentic Yang Style teaching from his Sifu Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung. He teaching Tai Chi in US for over twenty years. Mention this ad for first month free Tai Chi class on Monday ($60) or Saturday ($80) Exp Oct 1, 2011. Wu Healing Center,45 South Main Street, Suite #100, West Hartford, CT. 800-990-9332. www. wuhealing.com.

Tea Ceremony and Meditation. 8-9am with Dr. Ming wu. Free , 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford. 978-7908888. wuhealing.com.

Tong Ren Healing Class: 11am - 12pm. $10. each class. Instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine, studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years, he received the authentic Yang Style teaching from his Sifu Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung. He studied Tong Ren Healing with Master Tom Tam since 1994. Wu Healing Center , 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford, CT. 800-9909332. www.wuhealing.com.Tel: 978461-2168 (Office)978-790-8888 (Cell).

The Art of Living: Introduction to Sudarshan Kriya. 4 - 5 pm. $5 suggested.

Breath is the link between the mind and the body - each emotion has a distinct breathing pattern. Learn how to transform yourself with specific breathing techniques. Get into the rhythm of your Being. Located at 660 Prospect Ave. Hartford, CT 06105. To register call Rajesh Kumar 860 502 5981, rajesh. kumar@artofliving.org.

SUNDAY Women’s Temple. schedule at www. norajamieson.com. Canton, CT 860693-9540.

Resources

CHIROPRACTIC Westside Chiropractic

ACUPUNCTURE Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

35 Nod Road, Suite 106, Menla Holistic Health, Avon, CT. • (860) 836-1068 Stan Baker is a fully licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner with offices in Avon, CT and Springfield, MA. He has been a practitioner in the Oriental healing arts for 25 years. He specializes in difficult cases including back pain/sciatica, headache/migraine, allergies, and arthritis. He is also a teacher of advanced Chen Tai Chi, Aikido and Sun Do Mt. Yoga. See ad on page 34.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center Dr.Helene Pulnik, ND LAc. 18 School St., Glastonbury,Ct 6033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

Dr. Pulnik is a licensed, board certified Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Physician with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. She specializes in acupuncture for infertility, womens' health, migraines, anxiety/stress/ insomnia, arthritis, back & neck pain, sciatica, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and more. See our ad on page 5.

557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833 • westsidechiropractors.com Our mission is to provide chiropractic care, naturally based generalist, primary or specialty health care, for persons of all ages. We are committed to educating our patients about their health and wellness and providing them with tools for self improvement. We seek to work in partnership with you to achieve good health and well being in a way consistent with your way of life. Visit our location in West Hartford See ad on page 26.

Kenneth Hoffman, D.Ac, L.Ac. 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804.

(203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com Combining Chinese Medicine with modern science, we restore health by identifying imbalances that cause illness. Acupuncture, Allergy Elimination, Chronic Pain Relief, Hormone Balancing, Thermography, Detoxification. See ad on page 18.

Whole Health Associates, LLC Mark S. Stagg, DC 100 Simsbury Rd. Suite 208. Avon CT 860-674-0111 www.wholehealthllc.com

Dr. Stagg is a chiropractor with additional training in acupuncture, and is owner of Whole Health Associates located at the Hartford Hospital Avon Wellness Center.

Dr. Stagg treats many conditions using acupuncture, including headaches/chronic pain, sports injuries, menopausal symptoms and anxiety. Dr. Stagg is a provider for many insurance companies. See ad on page 2.

Mark S. Stagg, DC 100 Simsbury Rd. Suite 208. Avon CT 860-674-0111 www.wholehealthllc.com

Dr. Mark Stagg is a chiropractor and owner of Whole Health Associates located at the Hartford Hospital Wellness Center in Avon. Dr. Stagg has additional training in sports injuries, acupuncture, and treatment protocols for patients involved in work injuries and auto accidents. He treats a wide range of conditions, including headaches, back pain, tendonitis, shoulder pain and fibromyalgia. Dr. Stagg is a provider for many insurance companies. See ad on page 2.

ALLERGY TREATMENT Anne Mitchell, ND (203) 239-3400 • www.aarct.com North Haven & W. Hartford

Eliminate your allergic reactions using a technologically advanced treatment that corrects the body’s response to the offending food, pollen, mold, perfume, pets, etc. No medications.

Non-invasive.

Child-friendly. See ads on page 27, 37.

Francis X. Tortora

Chiropractor, Board Certified Craniopath 22 Fifth, St., Ste. 208, Stamford, CT (203) 348-0678 See ad on page 13.

30 Buxton Farms Road, Stamford, CT 06905 800-798-7279 • www.brycerx.com Bryce Rx Laboratories is a full service Compounding Pharmacy specializing in the formulation of drugs that are not commercially available. From impotence injections, bio-identical hormones, pain management, and veterinary (this list is not inclusive). Please note, all compounded medications require a prescription from a physician. See ad on page 5.

FITNESS/NUTRITION Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD 860-933-8255 www.cassandraforsythe.com

Cassandra Forsythe is a certified Registered Dietitian and holds her PhD in exercise science and nutrition from the University of Connecticut.

She specializes in weight loss, heart health, high blood pressure, sports nutrition, low carb diets, detox and healthy eating. Contact her today to get your nutrition and health on track.

HEALTH FOOD STORES

DENTISTRY The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3-5 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860) 824-0751 livingstonedentalexcellence.com See ad on page 41.

Dr. Steven Hinchey

2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 13.

Dr. Kevin Norige, D.M.D.

112 Deming St., South Windsor, CT. (860) 644-0113 Dr. Kevin Norige has been in practice for almost 30 years in South Windsor, CT. His services include Invisalign, Perio Protect, Lumineers, Snapon Smiles and Snap-it, Global Mini Implants, and non-surgical periodontal treatments. He is a member of the ADA, CSDA, and the Hartford Dental Society. He is a clinician with the CT Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic and also serves as a facilitator to dental students at the Univ. of CT. See ad on page 35.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

Parkade Health Shoppe

Manchester Parkade, 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT • 860.646.8178 M-Sat 8am-9pm • Sun 9am-6pm The Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe is an information and service-oriented health food store that has served its community since 1956. Owner, Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist, is available for consultation by appointment. Our other staff nutrition consultants provide customers with instore guidance in choosing vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition products, natural body care, natural and allergen-free foods, and life style changes. Many of our products are discounted every day. Ask us about our gym and other special discounts. See ad on page 11.

HYPNOSIS Diane Bahr-Groth, C. Hy., TFT, Dir. 1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT. (203)595-0110 • mindbodytransformation.com

Mind Body Transformation Hypnosis is a Certified Hypnotist specializing in fast and effective methods for weightloss, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc. Hypnosis, Thought Field Therapy™, Time Line Therapy™ & NLP. Call for a free consultation. See ad on page 31.

18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND is a certified Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Practitioner. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a clinically proven treatment that is highly effective in relieving the many symptoms associated with allergies, food sensitivities, environmental sensitivies, IBS, headaches, skin problems and more. The AAT treatment does not rely on the use of medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless and available to all ages including infants. See ad on page 5.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Bryce Rx Laboratories, Inc.

Whole Health Associates, LLC

Advanced Allergy Relief CT Sophia Natural Health Center

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

Constance Jones is New England’s senior Colon Hydrotherapist. During her 30 years of practice, she has performed nearly 50,000 colonics. Connie is certified through both the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapists (I-ACT) and The National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy. She creates a nurturing, serene, and safe environment, and maintains your utmost privacy and comfort. www.cleanmycolon.com. See our ad on page 5.

Foot Reflexology Ming Wu, Ph.D.,

Herbalist, Tui Na Therapy, Tai Chi Master 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford, CT 06107 Do you want more energy, eliminate pain, release stress?

Experience this ancient healing art which uses hand and thumb pressure on areas of that foot that correspond to systems in the body. Tension in the feet sets tension levels in the rest of the body. Through reflexology, we can interrupt the stress signal and help bring your body into balance. The benefits of reflexology include relaxation, reduced pain, rejuvenation of tired feet, improved circulation; and amelioration of other health conditions. Foot reflexology is a fast, inexpensive and relaxing way to help strengthen the systems in your body, improve chi, and stay in balance with nature. 1 hr. Foot Reflexology $50. To make an appointment, please call 800990-9332. See ad on page 15.

HYPNOTHERAPY/NLP Nishanto Kane...MindDesigning

Hypnosis, Master NLP Practitioner, Aura/Chakra Analysis, Enneagram Profile, Astrology Chart Interpretation, Belief Change Sessions.

Simsbury, Ct. (860 658-9678) www.minddesigning.net All that is, was first created in the mind.

Nishanto Kane is a certified Eriksonian Hypnotist, Master NLP practitioner, Reconnection practitioner, Aura/ Chakra Analyst. She has over 25 years experience in assisting many to stop smoking, release self-sabotaging habits, develop beliefs to attract abundance and well being, eliminate per allergies, anxieties, phobias, weight gain, stress, alcohol abuse, insomnia, improve school grades and more. Offering Chakra analysis - this amazing scientific state of the art technology allows you and the practitioner to view your aura. Through interpretation you can learn to bring yourself into physical, mental and emotional balance.

NaturalNutmeg.com

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INSPIRATION Robin Clare

Inner Wisdom Guide 10 Crossroads Plaza, West Hartford, CT. 860-232-3331 • info@clare-ity.com The Clare-ity Method will assist you in awakening your heart to the truth of who you are.

By discovering who you are, you can choose paths in your personal and professional life that bring you your greatest joys – abundant joys which enable you to be of great service to all beings. Together, we will open a channel to the spiritual realm through your own Akashic Records!

Please call Robin at 860-232-3331 or email her at Robin@epllc.org to find out more.

LIFE COACHING PEAK Results Coaching

Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com Is the happiness you want in your life eluding you? Do you feel stressed because of the pro lems that you can’t seem to overcome? It doesn’t have to be that way. I will show you step by step exactly what to do so you can create the happiness and peace of mind you want in your life. These little known secrets will put you on the path to getting the results you want guaranteed. I am a Certified Strategic Interventionist Coach and Marriage Educator. Clients frequently come to me when nothing else seems to work, or when something must change now. Call today and learn what to do. See ad on page 13.

MASSAGE Whole Health Associates, LLC Donatella Fino, LMT, Donna Mullen, LMT 100 Simsbury Rd. Suite 208. Avon CT 860-674-0111 www.wholehealthllc.com

The practice provides two types of massage: deep tissue/treatment work and relaxation massage.

Deep tissue massage involves specific soft tissue manipulation using manual techniques like trigger point and myofascial release to address connective tissue conditions, often under the direction of our physicians. Relaxation massage is a full-body treatment targeting stress. The massage therapists also provide care for motor vehicle injury cases and athletes. See ad on page 2.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CT Natural Health Specialists

Lauren Gouin, ND 135 Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com Dr. Lauren Gouin is a naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester.

Dr. Gouin is accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies. For more information, visit www. ctnhs.com. See ad on page 27.

Debra Gibson, ND

158 Danbury Road, Suite 8, Ridgefield, CT 06877 • (203)431-4443 Natural family healthcare using nutrition and biochemistry; herbal, homeopathic, and energetic medicine; lifestyle transformation and detoxification, to promote well-being of body, mind, and spirit. See ad on page 7.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2012

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE Kensington Naturopathic Medical Ctr.

Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 • drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com Centrally located in Connecticut, Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center provides comprehensive family healthcare. Our team of specialized health professionals is dedicated to facilitating our patients’ optimal health, and offers a wide range of services, including supplementation, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as nutrition, holistic health counseling and weight loss/life style changes. See ad on page 25.

A Life Center

2 Broadway, North Haven, CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Ste 7A, West Hartford, CT 203-239-3400 Dr. Henderson runs our weight loss program here at the Life Center and is internationally recognized for her work with diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease. Dr. Henderson’s writing has been published in several medical journals. The first step toward health is improving our relationship with food and choosing to properly nourish ourselves. Dr. Henderson uses all the tools of naturopathic medicine to help us reach our health goals, including achieving a healthy weight. She also uses botanical medicine, flower remedies, homeopathy, acupuncture, exercise therapy and detoxification to guide individuals to attain their health goals, and to live their best lives. She is seeing patients in both our North Haven and West Hartford offices. See ads on pages 27, 37.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine

11 Mountain Ave., Ste. 201, Bloomfield, CT • (860) 242-8200 William Nager is a 1985 Graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Portland Oregon. He also earned a second degree in chiropratic medicine from Western State Chiropractic College. For the past 25 years Dr. Nager has practiced family medicine using non-toxic therapies for digestive disorders, anxiety, and depression, fatigue, back pain, eczema, allergies, hypertension, high cholesterol and pain management as well as other conditions within the scope of a general family medicine practice.

See ad on page 9.

The Wellness Institute Marvin Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT (203) 847-2788

Dr. Schweitzer treats all ages with natural therapies including homeopathy, herbal medicine, enzymes, nutritional supplements and more. His advanced cutting-edge technologies evaluate underlying causes and create individualized treatment plans. ASYRA, Ondamed, BrainPaint, footbaths, acupuncture and oxygen therapies are used to achieve optimal health. Allergy desensitization, detoxification programs, immune system support, Lyme disease issues and other wellness protocols are included in his personalized care.

See ad on page 33.

Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing

301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com

533 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT

Dr. Frank Aieta, founder of West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine, is a board certified licensed Naturopathic Physician who specializes in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease utilizing the most advanced natural therapeutics. He offers a wide range of natural, non-toxic treatments which include: Acupuncture, Spinal Manipulation, Clinical Nutrition, Detoxification, Pain Management, Herbal Medicine and Natural Hormone Balancing. See ad on page 25.

The first of its kind in the country, Connecticut Multispecialty Group (CMG) is a large multispecialty group with its own Integrative Medicine Department. The physician-directed model uniquely blends conventional medicine with complementary therapies. Over 70 physicians work collaboratively with licensed massage therapists, licensed acupuncturists, certified energy workers, and registered dieticians. The end result is comprehensive model of healthcare delivery that focuses on whole person wellness and optimal health. CMG also features an electronic health record that interconnects all providers and offers portable flash drives with personal health information to all its clients. See ad on page 50.

Whole Health Associates, LLC

Dr. Jennifer J. Stagg, Dr. Todd Born, Dr. Lindsay Jones, Dr. Keith Yimoyines 100 Simsbury Rd., Suite 209, Avon, CT (860) 674-0111, www.wholehealthllc.com frontdesk@wholehealthllc.com Whole Health Associates, LLC is an integrative family practice offering naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services.

The approach to patient care at Whole Health Associates differs from most other provider’s offices. Every person is addressed on an individualized level, tailoring treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. Consideration of all aspects of the patient’s life is taken into account. Unique services include comprehensive food allergy and neurotransmitter testing, stomach acid analysis, body composition testing and gentle chiropractic techniques. The doctors are providers for many insurance companies. See ad on page 2.

NUTRITION Holcare Nutrition

William Nager, ND, DC

PHYSICIANS, M.D.

Vicki Kobliner MS RD 3 Hollyhock Lane, Suite 2A, Wilton, CT 06897 203-834-9949 • www.holcarenutrition.com Vicki Kobliner MS RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition.

Vicki works with infants, through adults with chronic illnesses, digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD and autism and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. She is a contributing author to A Compromised Generation: The Epidemic of Chronic Illness in Americas Children. See ads on page 25.

PHYSICIANS, M.D. Advance Biomedical Treatment Center, LLC

(formerly Avon Therapeutic Center) Eileen C. Comia, M.D. 701 Cottage Grove Road Ste., C-10 Bloomfield, CT 06002 • 860.242.2200 Fax 860.242.2212 • www.AdvBioMedTx.com Dr. Eileen Comia is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist with16 yrs of experience in private practice.

In 2002, she founded Avon Therapeutic Center (now Advance Biomedical Treatment Center) specializing in Integrative Medicine. She offers a unique practice using Functional Medicine in the treatment of chronic illnesses. She is a seasoned Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner of 10 years and a member of ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine). See ad on page 18.

(860) 243-2224 • www.cmgmds.com/cihh.html

Natural Health & Healing, LLC

Deanna M. Cherrone, MD 60 East Main Street, Avon, CT. (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net Dr. Deanna Cherrone, founder of Natural Health & Healing, is a board certified Internal Medicine physician who has changed the focus of her practice from traditional Internal Medicine to Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is a science based approach to health care that involves looking at each patient as a whole being with interconnected systems that function best when they are all in balance.

See ad on back cover.

Tamara Sachs, MD

Functional Medicine & Integrative Care 15 Bennitt St., New Milford, CT (860) 354-3304 • www.tsachsmd.intranets.com See ad on page 44.

OSTEOPATHIC PHYS. Origins Of Health, LLC

Jill Moorcroft, DO, Tom Moorcroft, DO 844 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 860-430-9790 • www.OriginsOfHealth.com Origins Of Health is a holistic medical center that specializes in OsteopathicManipulation,inc luding Cranial Osteopathy, Integrative Medicine and Nutrition. Founders Drs. Tom and Jill Moorcroft integrate their personal passion and extensive training as Family Medicine Physicians while working with you to develop a personalized approach to health that stimulates the self-healing forces within.

Our goal is to assist you in realizing optimum health while being free to enjoy life and all it has to offer. See ad on page 38.

Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC

David L. Johnston, DO • Lisa Preston, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-9915 • www.osteopathicwellness.net Gentle, natural, hands-on, osteopathic medical care for infants, children and adults. Childrens’ health and development, birth trauma, musculoskeletal pain and injuries, nutrition and wellness counseling, stress reduction, immune support, allergies. Most major insurances accepted. See ad on page 11.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST Soul Support Counseling Nancy M Brockett, PhD, LPC West Hartford, CT 860.223.2232 soul-support.org

Feeling stressed, confused, anxious or depressed? Imagine yourself breaking free from worries and fear and then confidently doing what you haven't been able to before! We work together from the perspective of the whole self to get to the heart of what’s troubling you. Using painless, drug-free treatments, Dr Brockett helps you uncover and build on your own inner strengths so you can free yourself from negativity and live with more joy in your life. See ad on page 33.

Inner Change Holistic Counseling Deni Weber, MA, LPC, DCEP Weston, CT. • 203-544-6094 DeniWeber.com

With compassion, intuition and wisdom Deni guides individuals on their journey of regaining lost power leading to renewed purpose, well-being, and emotional balance. Specializing in mind-body therapies with clinical certifications in Body-Oriented Psychotherapy and Energy Psychology she works with adults, teens and children healing traumatic stress related to Abuse, AD/HD, Learning Disabilities, Chronic Illness, Lyme Disease, and Autistic Spectrum.

RELATIONSHIP COACH PEAK Results Coaching

Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME Relationship Coach 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com Do you want a more fulfilling marriage but don’t know what to do? Are you feeling stuck in an unhappy relationship that seems doomed to fail? You can change all that starting now.

I will show you step by step exactly what to do to create the love and connection you want in your relationship. You will learn exactly what to do to rebuild trust, and re-ignite the passion. Imagine the feeling of being in love all over again. I am a Certified Marriage Educator, and clients frequently come to me. When nothing else seems to work or when something must change now.

If you want to know what works, call today. See ad on page 13.

SCHOOLS Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies

LauraMignosa, NCCH 900 Wells Road (RT. 175) Wethersfield, (860)666-5064 www.ctherbschool.com.

Founded in 1992, the CT Institute of Herbal Studies focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine and offers a Certified Herbology Program with a foundation in both theory and clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today.

See ad on page 33.

Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions, Recruitment (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu.

The Graduate Institute is an accredited institution of higher education that offers Master of Arts degrees in emerging fields of inquiry. Degree programs include: Experiential Health and Healing, Peace Studies, Oral Traditions, Holistic Thinking, and Conscious Evolution. Classes meet one weekend per month and programs are offered in Hartford, Bethany, New Milford, and Stamford, CT. For more information or to find an Information Session near you, call (203) 8744252 or visit www.learn.edu. See ad on page 23.

SKINCARE

31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804.

(203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com As the hormone experts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field.

Thermogram results include a free 15-minute phone consultation. See ad on page 18.

X to Rays, LLC

Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 866.986.7297 or 203 331-2878 www.xtorays.com Suzanne is a board certified clinical thermographer. She offers totally safe (no radiation), painless (no compression), 97% accurate FDA approved breast cancer screening. With a masters in Nutrition, Suzanne also advises on breast and body health. Scans for thyroid, lung, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and ovaries are also available. Call for locations throughout CT.

Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center

Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon.

(860)284-9730, www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net We are committed to strengthening your overall well-being and skin health through the use of excellent quality products and extraordinary services that produce amazing results. Only natural ingredients are used, including plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils! We want you to be "WOWED"! See ad on page 27.

SOCIAL WORK Michael Westfall, LCSW

243 East Center Street Manchester, CT 06040 • (860) 212-8923.

Michael Westfall is a licensed clinical social worker with a practice in Manchester, CT. He has extensive experience with children and teens but works with many adults and couples as well.

In network with most state and commercial insurances, he is accepting new clients at this time.

Please visit the website: michaelwestfall.com or call him at (860) 212-8923. See ad on page 34.

TAI CHI

Still Waters Pond, LLC

45 South Main Street, Suite #100 West Hartford, CT • 800-990-9332 978-790-8888 (Cell) • www.wuhealing.com Ming Wu, Ph.D., Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Herbalist, Tui Na Therapy, Tai Chi Master

Group leaders interested in workshop/retreat space: Still Waters is nestled among 100 acres of pine forest and a private-10-acre pond. Comfortable, rustic lodging includes a two-bedroom, furnished cottage with full kitchen (sleeps four), Guest House (sleeps 11) and 1200-sq.ft. Art & Yoga Studio. Contact us to arrange a tour. See ad on page 26.

Tai Chi Class on Mondays 6-7pm and Saturdays 9-11am, the instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine who studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years, he received the authentic Yang Style teaching from his Sifu Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung. He teaching Tai Chi in US for over twenty years. See ad on page 15.

280 Shetucket Turnpike Voluntown, CT 06384 860-543-3244 • stillwaterspond.com

Sophia Natural Health Center

The Graduate Institute

Wu Healing Center

RETREAT CENTERS

THERMOGRAPHY

VIBRATIONAL/ ENERGY HEALING Lightworker of Vibrational Energy LLC, L.O.V.E. Gayle Franceschetti Med,CHt. 36 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford,CT 203-265-2927 • www.return2love.net

Gayle Franceschetti is the founder of the L.O.V.E. Institute and is an acclaimed intuitive counselor and healer, Reiki Master, certified Hypnotherapist and past life regressionist. As an open channel for Divine Energy, Gayle integrates the power of universal love, compassion and understanding in all her workshops and healing sessions.

Gayle conducts healing and mentoring sessions in person, by phone and hosts a variety of workshops and power journeys throughout the U.S. and around the world. See ad on page 32.

Pentalign

860-990-8395 • info@pentalign.com www.pentalign.com Pentalign is now offering the benefits of Reconnective Healing in the workplace and to clubs, organizations, families and individuals. This gives companies and organizations and invaluable offering for their employees that can have a dramatic effect on general wellbeing, stress related issues, and overall quality of life. This can directly lead to less sick days, higher job satisfaction and increased productivity resulting in a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer. We offer on-site or off-site introductory presentations as well as recurring weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly healing clinics that fit your company’s needs and schedule. Individuals are more than welcome as well. Contact Pentalign today to learn more about how we can be of value to you, your company or organization.

See ad on page 20.

VIBRATIONAL/ ENERGY HEALING The Healing in Harmony Center Priscilla Bengtson, ATP® 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)632-8434 www.healinginharmonycenter.com

The Healing in Harmony Center, a spiritual healing, counseling and education center, offers programs and services that help individuals acknowledge and develop their own gifts to the highest level. Owner Priscilla Bengtson is dedicated to helping people live a joyous and fulfilled life and offers classes and workshops that help people achieve this. Private sessions are offered for intuitive, trance channel and angel readings, medical intuitive readings, trance healing, hypnosis, reiki, mandala healing, and health coaching. A free healing service is offered once monthly. See ad on page 44.

VETERINARY CARE Mobile Pet Vet

Kim Rio, DVM (203)584-1210 • www.mobile-pet-vet.com Mobile Pet Vet is a veterinary housecall practice providing wellness care for dogs and cats.

By treating pets at home we reduce their stress and their exposure to infection. Pets with chronic health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease and other endocrine disorders often benefit from home-based care. We spend time developing an individualized treatment plan for each animal and we offer a full range of laboratory services.

Our flexible scheduling accommodates busy pet owners. See ad on page 29.

WEIGHT LOSS A Life Center

2 Broadway, North Haven CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Suite 7A, W. Hartford CT 203-710-6605 • alifecenter@yahoo.com Are you frustrated because you want to lose weight but cannot figure out how? Do you exercise but it doesn’t seem to help? Are you sabotaging yourself by overeating or emotional eating even though you have the best of intentions? Get off the dieting merry-go-round and FINALLY achieve your ideal weight? The Life Diet matches your nutrition to your metabolism. Most Insurances accepted. We offer a medically supervised weight loss program with whole foods, individualized nutrition, meal planning, and weight loss coaching. See ad on page 27, 37.

YOGA / PILATES CENTERS Sacred Rivers Yoga

Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT, Owner / Director 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com. See ad on page 9.

West Hartford Yoga

23 Brook St West Hartford, Ct 06110 860 953 9642 www.westhartfordyoga.com

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A Guided ApproAch to optimAl heAlth

Natural

Health & Healing

llc

AreAs of focus

Anti-Aging (Optimal Aging) • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Detoxification Food Sensitivities • Heavy Metal Testing & Oral Chelation • Menopause & Andropause Mind Body Medicine • Weight Loss • Neurotransmitter Testing • Quantum Biofeedback Thyroid, Adrenal Testing & Treatment • Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?

Do you believe you should feel better than you do?

Many of my patients are simply looking for a doctor who will listen and explore the root cause of their symptoms which commonly include: Fatigue • Brain Fog • Sugar Cravings • Headaches • Depression Stress & Anxiety • Decreased Libido • Aches & Pains • Decreased Stamina Constipation • Allergies • Inability to Lose Weight • Insomnia

“I blend the best of traditional and alternative therapies to help your body function at its best.”

Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. (860) 677- 4600 60 East Main Street, Avon CT. 06001 www.naturalhealthandhealing.net 52

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