3. Relying Solely On Medications To Manage The

Symptoms

 Ask yourself if you really think that Lyrica, Neurontin, Savella, Vicoden, or Cymbalta is actually making your body more functional or healthy? Is it fixing the underlying problems or is it just covering up the symptoms and sweeping the problem under the rug?

The answer is an astounding NO.

 It is covering up some symptoms, and in the procescreating side effects that in the long run may be worse than your original set of symptoms. What about medicine habituation? What is habituation you ask? It is your body’s tendency to develop resistance to a medication. So what used to only take one pill now takes 3 pills to get the same effect.

Plus if you rely on only medication to try to feel better then the day is going to come, like so many that I have seen that had their medications just flat out stop working.

All of a sudden the symptoms are back, and they are 10X worse. The patient goes scrambling to look for a simple answer…and it doesn’t exist. The body that was sick is even sicker now, and it doesn’t exist. The body that was sick is even sicker now, and it is really sad to see someone suffer like that.

They could have been working on the cause of their problem…healing…reversing their fibromyalgia  symptoms…while they still had the medication if they needed it. Instead they just relied on the medication and their situation can take a turn for the worse really fast.

Call our office today and find out more about our Natural Non Drug, No Side effect approach to Fibromyaliga and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Missed Fibromyalgia Mistake #2 ? Click here

630-718-0555

Falsely Believing That All Of The ‘Correct’ Tests Have Been Done, And
That Everything On Your Lab Reports Is ‘Normal’.

This is a huge trap fibromyalgia patients fall into, that you absolutely must avoid. Where my
office is located in Northern Illinois, many local fibromyalgia patients have traveled to one of the big diagnostic clinics such as Stanford Medical, Sansum Clinic, or Mayo Clinic. They go there, spend a couple days doing tests, and then come out with the same thing they had before: a report that says that the labs are ‘normal’ and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Then the patient is satisfied, feeling that EVERYTHING has been done, and they continue on the path of taking medications or just living with the pain, fatigue, and the rest of the symptoms that go along with it.

The truth is zero functional testing has been done.

 They may have ran MRI’s and didn’t see obvious abnormalities. They ran the basic blood work and it didn’t appear to be abnormal, and then they call it a day.

If you accept that everything has been done, then you have lost at that point because you will stop searching for answers and information that will help you.

You may never make it to a doctor, who does functional testing, and will look at functional ranges, and put all of the pieces together for you.

If you have questions about our approach to Fibromyalgia and How we help people suffering with Fibromyalgia and CFS call our office at 630-718-0555

There are 3 major cancer causing molecules that are present when meat gets heated at a high temperature.  One is caused by the smoke that is released when fat drips from meat or fish onto a heat source. This potent carcinogen is called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH’s for short.   The second set of molecules formed by cooking meat at high temperatures are heterocyclic amines (HCA’s).  HCA’s are formed through a chemical reaction between naturally occurring amino acids and creatine in the meat. 

Finally, grilling meat at high temperatures increases the amount of advanced glycolytic enzymes (AGE’s) present in the meat.  When you eat the meat the AGE’s get transferred to your body.  AGE’s cause inflammation and oxidative damage in the tissues of your body.  These are the leading causes of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, etc.   

Fortunately, there are certain steps we can take to enjoy our barbeque while minimizing exposure to these toxic molecules.  A report published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2008 showed that marinating meat in anti-oxidant rich substances can be effective.  The researchers found that an olive oil, lemon juice and garlic marinade cut HCA levels in chicken by as much as 90%.  Marinating in red wine for 6 hours before grilling cut down HCA levels by up to 90% compared to unmarinated steak.

Healthy BBQ Tips:

1.     Cook at Lower Temperatures:   Lower temperatures cause more of a “roasting” effect than grilling, but they significantly cut down on the amount of HCA’s formed in the meat.  Well-done meat has much higher levels of HCA’s than meat cooked medium-rare. 

2.     Avoid Char-Grilling or Blackening Your Meat:  This causes the largest amount of HCA’s to form.  Do your best not to char-grill your meat and avoid eating any blackened regions.

3.     Prevent Flaring:  Flames from grill cause the formation of both HCAs and PAHs. Keep an eye on your grill & turn meats frequently to minimize flaring.

4.     Use Grass-Fed Meat Sources:  Grilling grain-fed meat causes more AGE’s to form due to a higher sugar content within the meat.   Grass-fed meat is lower in total fat than grain-fed meat.  Cooking leaner meat reduces the PAH formation.  Grass-fed meat also contains a significantly higher amount of healthy omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. 

5.     Marinate the Meat in Anti-Oxidant Rich sources:  Not only is this tasty but it reduces HCA levels by as much as 90%.  Use lemon/lime, red wine, apple cider vinegar, & superfood herbs.

 Gliadins are the glycoprotein portion of the gluten molecule that is responsible for the negative effects.  Researchers have found that certain gliadin compounds can binds a chemo attractant receptor and increases a certain factor that destroys tight junctions.   These junctions tie the small intestinal cells together and prevent leakage of food particles into the body.  This gliadin reaction has been linked to increased intestinal permeability and leaky gut syndrome. 

When the gut is permeable and food particles are able to cross into the blood stream it creates a stress response in the body.  As a result of this, the body very often forms an immune response to the circulating molecules as well as the toxic culprits causing havoc in the gut. 

This immune reaction begins with the body forming T-lymphocyte recognition of gluten peptides in circulation and gluten peptides that are bound to tissue.  Once this recognition is formed the second immune interaction results in the production of Anti-Gliadin anti-bodies (AGA).  Over time this process creates a dramatic increase in gut inflammation and finally toxic destruction to the villi of the small intestine as seen in Celiac disease.

Experts now believe that celiac disease represents just one extreme of a broad spectrum of gluten intolerance that includes millions of people with less severe — but nevertheless problematic — reactions to the protein. While celiac disease affects about 1% of the U.S. population, certain experts believe that 3-15% of the population have elevated AGA levels and may or may not have any diagnosed symptoms.  This is a syndrome entitled non-celiac gluten intolerance (NCGI).  There are many others who have negative AGA levels but may still have gluten sensitive reactions

When it comes to celiac disease and gluten intolerance, scientists look at HLA DQ genes.  According to gluten researcher Dr. Kenneth Fine, 90% of people with celiac have the DQ2 gene.  This gene is mostly found in individuals with Northern European background.  9% have the DQ8 gene which is more common among those of European/Mediterranean descent.  The DQ 1 & DQ3 genes are associated more with gluten intolerance than celiac disease.   

“This is something that we’re just beginning to get our heads around,” says Daniel Leffler, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston. “There is a tight definition of celiac disease, but gluten intolerance has been a moving target.”
 
 Dr. Kenneth Fine’s research estimates that Americans genetically susceptible to celiac disease to be 43% while 81% are predisposed to gluten intolerances.  While some may have digestive discomfort, most do not.  Many may instead experience inflammation in the skin (excema & psoriasis), joints (arthritis), respiratory tract (asthma, allergies) and brain (brain fog, poor memory, dizziness, etc.). 

“Gluten is fairly indigestible in all people,” Leffler says. “There’s probably some kind of gluten intolerance in all of us.”  Untreated or undiagnosed individuals with elevated AGA are at an increased risk for lymphoid cancers and other auto-immune disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome & Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Anyone with chronic inflammatory conditions should immediately consider removing gluten from their diet.  Brown rice, quinoa, millet and sprouted grains are much better choices. 

Do not let a negative AGA test lead you to believe that you are successfully digesting and assimilating gluten.  One of the best subjective ways of testing your own gluten sensitivity is through a food elimination test.

Bad breath can be caused by a number of different issues such as constipation, diabetes, liver problems, etc.  The most common causes in the oral cavity include gum diseases, lack of hydration, low salivary pH, eating pungent foods (onions/garlic), and excessive oral bacteria.  An individual should contemplate each of these causative factors when attempting to address and rid themselves of this problem. 

The most commonly used breath freshening products include mouthwash, chewing gum and mints.  These products are widely marketed on television and in grocery/drug stores.  Although all of these have the ability to cover up bad breath for temporary periods of time; they also contain toxic ingredients that can push the body into states of infection that create chronic halitosis. 

Mouthwash is one of the most widely used personal hygiene products.  Most consumers are unaware of the chemical toxins present in the majority of commercial mouthwashes.  These mouthwash products contain 26% ethanol which is more than a glass of wine.   Scientists have demonstrated that the alcohol in mouthwash reacts in the mouth to create a highly carcinogenic byproduct called acetylaldehyde. 

The overuse of mouthwash is linked in several studies to oral bacterial infections, tooth decay and cancers of the mouth.  The alcohol in the mouthwash is known to cause “dry mouth” which allows bacterial overgrowth.  The solvent properties of alcohol can dissolve fillings.  This increases exposure to mercury vapor from amalgam fillings and xenoestrogenic phthalates from composite fillings.  Additionally, the alcohol stains teeth and damages the tooth enamel setting up an environment for accelerated tooth decay. 

Many individuals also like to use sugar-free gums and mint flavored candies to improve their breath.  Unfortunately, these products are loaded with artificial flavorings and preservatives that are both neurotoxic and carcinogenic.  It is strongly advised to avoid these products.  Any sort of breath mint should be flavored with only stevia or xylitol and contain no preservatives of any kind. 

The first step to good oral health is optimal hydration with a purified water source.  Additionally, a diet low in sugar and rich in phytonutrients and anti-oxidants plays a very important role.  Certain natural herbs contain aromatic phytonutrients that alkalize the salivary contents and bring a rich, clean smell to the breath.  These herbs may also bring an array of anti-oxidants, trace minerals, electrolytes & chlorophyll to the body.

Fennel seeds provide a very strong, pleasant odor to your breath.  They are loaded with anti-oxidants and help ease gas and bloating in the intestinal system.  Fennel seeds immediately alkalize the saliva which naturally prevents the overgrowth of bad bacteria.  Additionally, these small, dry seeds are very easy to carry with you while traveling. 

Dill, mint and parsley are loaded with chlorophyll and vitamin C which are both great for cleansing and purifying the body.  Much like fennel, these herbs immediately alkalize the saliva which naturally prevents the overgrowth of bad bacteria.  Additionally, these garnishes have a great ability to neutralize the powerful odor of garlic and onions. 

Fresh cloves steeped in warm, purified water makes a terrific natural anti-bacterial mouthwash that destroys bacteria and freshens breath.  Clove contains an anti-oxidant `eugenol` that has incredible anti-inflammatory properties scientists are just beginning to understand.

Do you sleep soundly each night, but wake up feeling exhausted?

Are you so fatigued throughout the day that you feel you could fall asleep
virtually any time you sit down (and sometimes do), even when you’re in a meeting or while driving?

Do you no longer have the energy to do the things you love, such as
exercise?

And is it often difficult to get through your day without a nap (or at least
wishing you could take one)?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, there’s a good chance your fatigue is not the run-of-the-mill “go to bed early and the next day you’ll feel rested” variety.

Instead, your fatigue may be thyroid related.

Your thyroid gland plays an instrumental role in countless body functions, from influencing your heart and respiratory rate, to regulating the rate at which calories are burned to helping with growth, temperature regulation, fertility and digestion. When hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs, it means your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones and you’ve got too little in your bloodstream to keep your body running smoothly. The result is a major slowing
down of many bodily systems … including your energy levels. It is very common for people with hypothyroidism to suffer from sluggishness, lack of energy and serious fatigue.

Differentiating thyroid-related fatigue from “ordinary” fatigue can be tricky, but one of the best gauges is feeling tired even though you’re sleeping well, or experiencing exhaustion for no apparent reason. These two scenarios are hallmarks of people with hypothyroidism.

If you’re experiencing thyroid-related fatigue, you may be desperate for more energy, but resist the urge to rely on caffeine or energy drinks as a solution. This will only provide short-term relief to your tiredness, as it is the lack of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream that is responsible for your exhaustion. By addressing the hypothyroidism at the foundational level, and of course first confirming that it is indeed a thyroid problem that is causing your fatigue, you can restore your energy naturally, and often permanently.

Learn more at www.napervillethyroiddoc.com

Download Your Free Guide to Natural Thyroid Treatment For Hashimotos and Hypothyroid here

1. Don’t skip breakfast

The morning meal jump starts your metabolism and helps to prevent bingeing later in the day.  A cup of coffee does not count – the caffeine and added sugar may give you a bit of energy and suppress your appetite for a little while, but generally backfires causing severe hunger and overeating later in the day.  Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain (granola or oatmeal), along with some protein and fat (low-fat yogurt or milk) to keep your energy levels even and hunger in check.

2. Eat more often

Get into the habit of eating every three to four hours or at least four times a day.  Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar. When blood sugar drops too low you want to eat…a lot.  By keeping your blood sugar stable you can control your appetite and keep you metabolic rate high.  When you go many hours without eating your body will compensate by slowing down your metabolism to conserve energy.

3. Eat protein at every meal

Protein takes more energy and time to digest, and will leave you feeling full longer than eating carbohydrates alone.  Research shows that eating more protein can help you lose weight without cutting calories.  Try these protein possibilities: turkey on whole wheat; hummus and pita; vegetarian chili; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars that contain 12 or more grams of protein.

4. Hold off on snacking

Many of us grab a snack for quick energy when we are feeling tired,  but do not confuse true hunger with fatigue.  If you are feeling tired go for a 15-20 minute brisk walk.  This will raise your heart rate and give you a boost of energy.  Follow it up with a large glass of cool water.  If you are truly hungry have a protein- and complex carbohydrate-rich snack like whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or cheese.

5. Consume enough for your body’s needs

Eating too little slows your body’s metabolism the same way eating too infrequently does.  If you want to lose weight, do not slash your calories too drastically.  Instead, cut out some of the extras in your diet – things like soda, juice, packaged goods or candy.  Processed foods tend to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

In conclusion it is important to understand that your metabolic rate is controlled by many factors. You can exert a fair amount of control over many of these factors. This article has emphasized how your diet affects your metabolism, but clearly movement is the other major factor.