Yeast is a unicellular organism that colonizes the human body. Because Candida albicans  is an opportunistic pathogen, it can overgrow and contribute to dysbiosis (a microbial imbalance in the body). Factors that can predispose to yeast overgrowth include use of birth control pills, cortisone or steroid type drugs that are inhaled or taken internally, and antibiotic use. I automatically check for yeast when I check for food allergies in my patients if I suspect it to be a contributing cause to ill health. Some signs and symptoms of yeast overgrowth include poor concentration, lack of focus, depression, anxiety, bloating, weight gain, vagitinis, diarrhea, constipation and prostatitis. Chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalance and sinusitus are often found with a yeast problem as is the association of more serious diseases including cancer and autoimmune disease.

Because yeast thrives and feeds off of sugar and simple carbohydrates, following a yeast free diet is imperative. Yeast diets are restrictive for a reason. Yeast is a very resilient organism and its food sources must be completely eliminated so the yeast will not have a hospitable environment in which to grow in. Eliminating sugar and all simple carbohydrates is a must. Flour is out so no baked goods or pasta are allowed. Fruit must be greatly minimized-one low sugar fruit daily may be tolerated but no juice for some time can be included. Dairy is eliminated because of the milk sugar content (lactose). Nuts and seeds are eliminated that can harbor yeast as are mushrooms. No tea- black, white or green are recommended initially when you treat yeast. What does one eat on a diet so restrictive? A whole foods diet- whole grains can be included but not the flour of the grain, grass fed organic meat, free range organic poultry, or wild sources of seafood are allowed, plenty of vegetables the more non-starchy the better. As one starts to treat the yeast with antimicrobials, the diet can expand a little more.

Antimicrobials that I like to treat yeast with include oregano, cloves, ginger, wormwood, garlic and cinnamon. Gemmotherapies including Juglans nigra and Ficus carica can re-establish the inner ecology of the gut while weeding out the ‘bad organisms’. Supplements like caprylic acid can support suppression of harmful microorganisms. Pau D’arco tea is an antimicrobial tea that is supportive to treat yeast. Once treatment has been in place for a short time, beneficial probiotic organisms can be introduced into the system. I use a range of probiotics to reestablish proper gut flora. In addition, I recommend consuming nutritional prebiotics in the diet-consume asparagus, artichoke root, carrot root, cabbage, beet to support the healthy flora. Fermented foods like kim chi, miso, raw sauerkraut, coconut kefir and tempeh make the gut do its happy dance.

Lastly. Biotherapeutic drainage can drain intercellular toxins contributing to dysbiosis- liver support in the form of Unda 1, 20 and 243 is supportive as is Unda 3,39, 50 which establishes proper ecology in the intestines. This is a brief introduction on treating yeast. Please book an appointment if you want to talk yeast, test for yeast or treat for yeast 4032321283. Until next time, be well!

Many of my patients have relatives that have died of breast cancer. Many of my patients also live with fibrocystic breast disease. They ask me what to eat to reduce risk and get healthier? I have been reading a recently released book that I highly recommend . All the info that I write about here in this post comes from the book- the title of this nutritional powerhouse is called “How Not to Die” and it is written by Michael Greger, M.D. the founder of a fabulous website: nutritionfacts.org.

Recommendations to reduce risk of breast cancer include limiting alcohol. If you drink, keep it to an absolute minimum and make it red wine or better yet skip the alcohol and drink purple grape juice or eat purple grapes with seeds. Eat mostly plant foods- have one tablespoon of ground flaxseed daily which can help reduce precancerous changes in breast tissue cells. Other beneficial plant foods to consume include broccoli sprouts (recommended 1/4 cup daily), increase broccoli (the ultimate detox veggie) and increase organic collard consumption.  25 grams + of fiber may reduce risk in general so the more plant foods you include, especially soluble fiber, the better. The ingestion of strawberries, pomegranate, and white mushrooms may suppress a cancer promoting enzyme.

Phyto-estrogens in the form of organic soy whole foods appear to increase survival rates and reduce risk. Choose whole soybeans like edamame or a cup of organic soy milk to get you started. Stay away from processed soy like fake meats and junk food. Move away from consuming so much animal meat protein and embrace more plant protein like beans and legumes which when combined with a whole grain like brown rice make a healthier meal. Complete plant proteins include buckwheat, soy and quinoa.

Sleep in a dark room to increase your exposure to melatonin which can reduce risk. Use dark blinds or even a sleeping mask to drown out the city lights. Embrace a regular sleeping routine- 10 pm to 6 am versus taking on shift work which is disruptive and more health negating.To sleep better and reduce risk further don’t forget to exercise daily. Walk a moderate pace for an hour. Regular exercise is the key to sleeping better. You will fall asleep easier and stay asleep for longer.

Drink more green tea for a slight reduction in risk. Every little thing that you do helps,  if you are mindfully aware that food is, in fact, medicine. That knowledge helps you make empowered choices to support your health every day!

To read further and find the research related to these claims- pick up “How Not To Die” by Michael Gregor, M.D. Until next time, be well.

Lately, I have been working with a few clients who have lost someone because of a death. Death of a spouse is one of the biggest causes of stress that an individual will ever go through. I am honored to be able to help my clients through such a devastating situation. One of the people I look to for helping clients is Dr. John Demartini and his wealth of experience and life changing books. His book ‘The Breakthrough Experience’ is a valuable text for anyone going through a loss. One of his key teachings is to always view a situation through a balanced perspective. Life is up and down and we really can’t be happy 100% of the time. If we realize that and see the gift in every negative situation that comes our way that can be invaluable. Death of a spouse is not so easily seen as a gift however and only in hindsight after a given amount of time has passed can one start to heal and gain perspective. Loss is difficult and takes time to process. When you love someone with all of your heart you FEEL it when they are gone. I tackle loss with clients with two techniques- Emotional Freedom Technique and some of Dr. Demartini’s work.

I have blogged about Emotional Freedom Technique before so I won’t go into detail about it. It is a tapping technique that works on the Chinese meridians in the body to unblock energy disturbances especially of an emotional nature. It helps people to be able to access their emotions and release them in a way that is soothing and balancing to their nervous system. The tapping is paired with positive affirmations that help the individual open up to more self love and self acceptance. I will tap on the person while they talk about all the things they miss about the person. This process makes the grief more bearable and by the release of some of the emotion tapped into, makes the person feel lighter and more accepting of what has happened.

John Demartini talks about balancing perspectives so I always ask the person what they won’t miss about the person they lost. I ask them, in fact, to make a list of many things that they won’t miss about the person. If you can come up with as many things that you won’t miss about the person as the things you miss about the person, you are on the right track.

Demartini also says that energy is not lost rather it changes form. He says that the qualities that you miss about the person that you have lost will show up in your environment in a different form. It is important that you realize that and look for them in your environment now. Are those qualities that you miss in your lost partner showing up in the new neighbor that moved in across the street? Look for where those qualities are now and you will realize that the universe is benevolent and wants you to be happy despite your loss. What friends are taking up those qualities that you have lost and are blessing you in new ways?

Lastly, when we lose someone, they are just across the veil. They may not exist in human form anymore but they still exist in spirit and with an open mind, you may still be able to connect with them. Open all your senses up to be able to connect with them. Do you see anything that reminds you of them? Do you hear a song on the radio that they liked? Can you feel them around you? Ask your loved one to show up in a way that you will recognize. Is there a symbol or an animal that was associated with this person and does that symbol or animal show up from time to time? Know that if you feel in your gut that they are connecting to you, they are! The most important thing is to believe that you are still connected to them and that you will always be. Please don’t hesitate to come in for an appointment if you are dealing with loss. I would be honored to help you get through it.