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 This newsletter is the third and final of a three-month cycle of newsletters borrowing the answer to "What are little girls made of?" We started in March with "sugar," followed in April with "... and spice." We end the cycle with "...and everything nice," focusing on "nice" things in medicine.
Dr. Connie leads with her musings on nice things in health care; Dr. Marcel offers his thoughts on the health benefits of wine; Dr. Connie follows with many nice things about tea; Jane H.writes about how the body heals itself and Lauren H-W offers a yummy coconut rice recipe.
News from the
Hernandez Center includes articles on ten cancer-causing foods, five foods that help reduce fatigue in cancer patients, and a discussion of Tai Chi for insomnia in breast cancer survivors.
For the past several years Dr. Connie and Dr. Marcel have subscribed to a weekly box full of beautiful, super fresh, organic vegetables provided by Ananda Valley Farm. There are still a few subscriptions available and we unreservedly recommend that our readers check it out.
The information is directly below. Last month, the link didn't work. This month, the bug has been fixed. Click on the link
HERE
or at the bottom of the ad.
Also, many of you may not know that Dr. Marcel has a background in theater and a play he is directing,
The Land of Golden Sunshine, will be offered the evenings of Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27. Click
HERE for more information or see the ad, below.
L
ATE FLASH: If you know a child of high school age that has not yet totally decided on which high school to attend this coming September, it is in that child's best interests to consider looking at
www.LivingWisdomHighSchool.org
May all beings be healthy and happy!
Dr. Connie, Dr. Marcel, Dr. Brad, Dr. Sage, Elijah and your health care team
at Pacific Naturopathic and the
Hernandez Center for Adjunctive Cancer Care
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Dr. Connie and Dr. Marcel recommend....
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(Please click HERE for more information
as the link on the chick is a bit cranky.)
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THE LAND OF GOLDEN SUNSHINE
-- a story by Swami Kriyananda
dramatized and directed by Dr. Marcel
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The Land of Golden Sunshine
- An Evening of Live Theater
An Allegory of Soul-Yearning by Swami Kriyananda
"...all people who sincerely seek truth must sooner or later hear in their souls the call to a higher life. How, if you hear the call, will you respond?"
In this spiritual parable, a young girl (Lisa) is asked to choose between two eternally contrasting worlds: the material and the spiritual. Her life in a bleak factory brings her no joy. But the decision is much harder than she realizes. Shrinking back into the familiar is far easier than stepping into the unknown. She slowly opens her heart to the possibility of something transcendent. Her gradual awakening is deeply affecting. The Ananda Palo Alto Players share this original adaptation of a much loved story by Swami Kriyananda with live music, dance, pageantry, interpretive costuming and set-design, acting, and narration.
"A spectacular and deeply moving performance. So many hearts were touched, and more than a few tears shed."
-Joycee W., Mountain View, CA
"Absolutely divinely inspiring."
-Sudarshan S., Nevada City, CA
"I was blown away by this play. Amazing portrayals - poetry in action. The costumes, sets, music, narration, expressions were just perfection."
-Supriya G., Sacramento, CA
The Ananda Palo Alto Players
Ananda Temple, 2171 El Camino, Palo Alto
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Dr. Connie's Musings...
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| Dr. Connie musing in the Mojave Desert |
Everything Nice
In the last 2 issues, we've written about sugar, we've written about spice, and now, as promised, we come to nice. The question that comes to me is "just what is nice in medicine and in health care?" Nice in general would imply something pleasant, agreeable, good, satisfying, comforting.
We recently accompanied a friend suffering from cancer on visits to her infusion center and to her oncologist's office. We discovered, while having a lovely visit with her, that there are special offices within the auspices of conventional medical care that are indeed "nice". Our friend was met with eye contact, greeted by name, offered handholding and hugs. Clinicians remembered who she was and details about her life. They were prepared for her, proactive, and working together as a team. They discussed with her what was to be done and whether changes needed to be made. We had a feeling that she was cared for, not just as a patient, but as a person.
That's nice!
Nice was also the quality of the experience I had recently at the PAMF outpatient surgery center. I was given the option of a whiff of lavender oil to relax me before surgery and peppermint to energize me after surgery, and the choice of music to be played while I waited my turn. Nice was being prayed for by the surgeon prior to surgery.
 We were drawn to naturopathic medicine, partially because it is
nice in so many ways. The roots of naturopathy are in nature cure. What could be nicer than walking barefoot on the dew in the early morning to stimulate acupressure points on the feet and to align with the earth's magnetic field? Or bathing in the sun as an act of heliotropic healing? Or walking in the forest, gathering in the energy of the trees and the negative ions generated by fresh air? Or gathering herbs from one's own garden for medicinal teas? Or choosing a vitalizing lifestyle? There are so many non-harmful, yet powerful tools of healing.
In our office, and in our practice, we strive for a nice experience for our patients. Nice sees the patient as a person who operates in a complex physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual context. Nice means connecting with patients person to person, eye to eye, heart to heart. Nice means taking the time to be with and communicate with the person. Doctor as teacher, doctor as friend.
In our office setting, nice is the waterfall fountain on the lavender walls, the shoji screens, the expansive art, the orchids that often grace our desks, the living room feel of the reception area. Nice is the sense of camaraderie that our cancer patients share as they receive I.V. infusions. Nice are the random acts of kindness back and forth between patients, clinicians, office staff. Nice are the smiles and laughter.
As naturopathic doctors, we feel quite blessed to be able to provide nice experiences for our patients, and we welcome feedback on how we can be even better at doing that.
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How About a Nice Glass of Red Wine?
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Although I am going to write about the health benefits of wine,
people reading this article may make two mistakes: the first is trying to buy these health benefits in a bottle, rather than looking at how wine can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.
The second mistake is that people tend to think that if a little is good for you, a lot is even better. With alcohol, that can't be right.
Red wine has been studied extensively over many years with impressive findings. The following findings are based on moderate wine consumption, defined as four to seven six-ounce glasses a week. Red Wine:
1) Reduces risk of depression.
Researchers in Spain reported that drinking wine may help combat depression. Men and women who drank two to seven glasses of wine per week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression.
3)
Slows the effects of aging.
Medieval monks believed wine slowed the aging process and today scientists do too.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School reported red wine, due to the resveratrol content, protected cell membranes from free radical degradation.
4) Prevents breast cancer.
While regular consumption of most alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer, red wine intake has the opposite effect. Studies report that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes reduce estrogen levels while raising testosterone in pre-menopausal women, resulting in lower breast cancer risk levels.
5) Prevents dementia.
Moderate red wine intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia. Again, the main therapeutic nutrient appears to be resveratrol, which reduces the stickiness of blood platelets and helps keep the blood vessels open and flexible, thus helping maintain a good blood supply to the brain.
8) Repairs damage after stroke.
Resveratrol in red wine raises levels of heme oxygenase, an enzyme known to protect nerve cells in the brain from damage. When somebody suffers a
stroke
, the brain is ready to protect itself because of higher enzyme levels.
9) Improves lung function and prevents lung cancer.
Although resveratrol is the main component  studied for lung function,
wine's beneficial effects on lung function are also related to many compounds present in wine, and not just resveratrol.
10) Raises levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Researchers have found that regular, moderate wine drinkers had higher blood levels of
omega-3
fatty acids, which are usually derived from eating fish. The scientists found that drinking wine acts like a trigger, boosting levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the body.
For more on Dr. Marcel's work click
HERE.
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Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.
~Thich Nat Hahn
___________________________
Tea has long been esteemed in the healing traditions of the world, both because of efficacy and because the teas are ....well....nice. Whether green, black, white or herbal, aromatic plant parts steeped in water have been sipped from time immemorial to promote health, relaxation and clarity of mind.
Camelia sinensis is the tea plant from which the green, black and white tea leaves are harvested. These are the "true teas". While the black and white teas share medicinal benefits with green tea, it is the medicinal quality of green tea that has come to the forefront, due to fat burning, anti inflammatory and anti carcinogenic properties. Antioxidants in green tea protect the heart and blood vessels. The methylxanthines (similar to caffeine) increase the release of neurotransmitters and stimulate the nervous system.
Herbal teas (also known as tisanes) have a myriad of uses, depending on the plant species involved and on whether it is the root, the leaf, the petals, or the bark that is used in the concoction. Dandelion root for the liver, dandelion leaf for the kidneys, chamomile flowers for relaxation, cinnamon bark for blood sugar control, and so on. All plant parts are used in the smokey bitter brews of Chinese herbal medicines, with the intoxicating aromas a part of the brewing experience.
 So what else besides healing properties is "nice" about both the true and herbal teas? It is nice to receive a health benefit from a tasty and comforting drink. And the context of tea drinking is truly nice. Tea is taken within social, cultural and culinary milieus. Tea is prepared and shared among friends, made special by ritual and circumstance. Tea tantalizes the senses, promotes contemplation, elicits memories, soothes the day.
There are the pleasures of enjoying a special cup of tea in your grandma's antique tea cup: of sipping tea poured from silver samovars on the trans Siberian railway; of indulging in a buttery chai break at a Himalayan teahouse. Tea is shared over scones and tea sandwiches in Scotland. Brewed black tea, served in teardrop glasses is the national drink of Turkey. The scent of apple tea permeates the spice markets in Istanbul, mint tea in Marrakech. Glorious green
matcha tea ceremoniously brewed and served in Japanese teahouses.
The Japanese tea ceremony elevates tea drinking to a transcendental experience. The exquisite tea bowls are an art form in and of themselves. The sound of the tea whisk foaming the electric green macha powder, the turning of the bowl, the ritual sipping of the bitter tea all contribute to a profoundly healing experience.
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Enjoy!
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Sure, you could have too much tea, as you can have too much of just about any good thing. Tea can tintyour pearly whites. Methylxanthines in true teas can cause heart palpitations and disrupt sleep. The flavonoids present can bind to iron in plant foods. And you may be incidentally drinking a dose of fluoride in some brews.
So be moderate. Choose organic. And enjoy these very nice remedies.
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Find out more about Dr. Connie's work
HERE.
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Recommended by
Dr. Connie and Dr. Marcel...
In this section of our newsletter, we will describe unique health care products we offer in our new, small retail section of our clinic.
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Sita's Turmeric Paste
This hard-to-get product has been discovered by our patients and is literally flying off our shelves, so we thought we'd recommend it again....
One of our favorite, delicious new discoveries. We found Sita, an
Ayurvedic practitioner, selling her wonderful products at the Hilo Farmer's Market. Naturally, with our love of anything that has turmeric in it, we established a relationship with Sita so that we could offer this special formulation to our patients and friends.
Sita's Turmeric Paste is made according to Ayurvedic principles, blended to a pleasant taste, completely safe, and highly effective in relieving inflammations and joint pain. It is a also a general tonic, an immune booster, and an excellent formula for getting the full benefits of taking turmeric and its medicinal ingredient, curcumin.
Sita's Turmeric Paste comes in either a ghee base or a coconut oil base. Both types are available in our clinic. The 7-ounce jar will last 5 weeks and no refrigeration is required. Price: $16.00
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Q&A: The Myers Cocktail --
The Most Popular IV Therapy in our Clinic
Why do an IV? Aren't we able to get the nutrients we need from our diets?
In a perfect world, this is true. But the typical American diet is lacking in adequate nutrient content and even with a stellar diet, the nutrient quality in the foods has steadily declined. Also, due to chemicals, toxins, stress, allergies, genetics, infections and other assaults, many people suffer from compromised gastrointestinal function. The result is impaired digestion, decreased capacity to break down foods and compromised ability to absorb the vital nutrients needed to just maintain health.
When nutrients are given intravenously, the digestive system is bypassed and nutrients are delivered directly into the cells. Each cell gets to bathe in a nutrient-dense solution, so that these vitamins are easily accessible, in the most bio-available form, allowing the greatest potential for healing and ENERGY.
J
ust what is a Myers cocktail?
The basic Myers' Cocktail is an intravenous vitamin nutrient supplement that was formulated more than 40 years ago for promoting healing and restoring energy and stamina. The standard Myers Cocktail at Pacific Naturopathic consists of magnesium, calcium, selenium, zinc, vitamin B-5 vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, vitamin B complex, and Vitamin C. Other vitamins or ingredients may be added to the Myers' Cocktail protocol, depending on the patient's diagnosis and overall health as well as the condition being treated.
What is the Myers cocktail used for?
The "cocktail" is indicated for chronic acute viral illness/colds, fatigue, fibromyalgia, vitamin deficiency, anxiety, stress, depression, migraine or tension headaches, general immune boosting, gut malabsorption, leaky gut and support to cancer patients. It can be useful in situations where oral nutrients or other therapies are not working. When nutrients are given intravenously, your digestive system is bypassed and a much higher level of nutrition can be delivered directly to your cells via the bloodstream. If you tend to be anxious or overstressed, it can help to calm and relax you. If you tend to have fatigue and feel run down, it can help boost your energy. There are so many diseases and symptoms that benefit from this therapy. It is like getting a supercharge of vitality!
Have there been any studies on the Myers Cocktail?
Yes. Yale researchers recently tested the Myers Cocktail on a group of patients in a double-bind, placebo controlled randomized trial. The study measured tender points, depression levels and quality of life. Significant improvement was shown in all pertinent outcome measures with the Myers' group and none with the placebo group. There are currently 274 clinical research trials employing intravenous micronutrient therapy. About half of these concern treatment or prevention of cancer. The remainder cover a wide range of medical and health conditions.
How many treatments does it take to feel better?
Patients vary in the number of treatments needed, but a typical protocol is infusions once or twice a week. Some patients experience improvement after only one treatment, and many report significant healing by the fourth infusion. People who have chronic conditions may need ongoing treatment of several times per week, or periodically every few weeks to regain their energy.
How long does a Myers infusion take?
A typical Myers drip takes about 20 minutes.
The Myers Cocktail is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapy that is well tolerated by most people. It carries an extremely low risk of serious adverse side effects. If the protocol is administered quickly there may be a sensation of warmth and flushing. This is due to the rapid rise of magnesium. Some patients may also have the taste of vitamins in their mouth shortly after they are given the infusion.
Is there any preparation needed before receiving a Myers?
Before your treatment: It is best to prepare for the Myers' by drinking plenty of water and having food in your stomach before you come in the office.
Is a Myers Cocktail right for me?
At Pacific Naturopathic, we provide comprehensive holistic medical care, including thorough evaluation of each patient's symptoms, health, and needs. During our evaluation, we can determine if IV therapy will be beneficial to your health goals. After consultation, we can schedule IV treatments to be performed in the office by one of our fully trained and certified Naturopathic Doctors.
Please phone for more information: 650-917-1121.
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Interested in exploring the world of IV nutrient therapy?
Dr. Marcel is happy to address any of your questions.
Please phone 650-917-1121 for more information.
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Elijah Free has been an associate at Pacific Naturopathic
since January of 2000. He specializes in working with both mechanical and metabolic pain.
You can visit his herbal company, Earth Friend Herb Co. at www.earthfriendherb.com and view his videos on Ending Fibromyalgia and Ending PTSD-One Veteran's Answer.
And to find out more of Elijah's work with his 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization to end PTSD in war veterans, (Elijah is a veteran and paramedic of the Viet Nam conflict) Bring Our Vets All the Way Home, please go to www.bringourvetsallthewayhome.org
To schedule an appointment with Elijah,
please phone 650-917-1121.
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Wouldn't It Be Nice
If Your Body Could Heal Itself?
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Well, that is actually what happens - when you allow it.
Our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect us down to the cellular level.
In other words, our minds can affect the health of our bodies!
But the question is, "How do you do this"?
What is happening more and more is the discovery of mind-body techniques which help you to heal yourself.
These include
EFT, biofeedback, tai chi, breathing exercises, hypnosis, music therapy, yoga, and visualization. What I want to describe today is EFT Meridian Tapping. It is a form of psychological acupressure that is easily taught and extremely powerful.
Here is EFT in a nutshell:
Tap gently with fingertips on specific acupressure meridians on your head and chest while you voice the problem you have.
This works to clear emotional blocks in the body's energy system to restore you to balance.
So, why is clearing emotional blocks so important to good health?
Well, even the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that 85 percent of all disease has an emotional element. Stress and anxiety are two of the culprits which lead many people to acquire health problems which include pain, sleeping problems, depression and more serious chronic ailments.
EFT Tapping is a health tool which only takes a few minutes to do and can be used for anything whether emotional or physical.
As Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote:
"... believe me when I say that, more than any traditional or alternative method I have used or researched, EFT has the most potential to literally work magic. Clinical trials have shown that EFT is able to rapidly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger emotional distress. Once the distress is reduced or removed, the body can often rebalance itself, and accelerate healing."
Check out this EFT demo and you'll see how easy and accessible it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAclBdj20ZU
There are many EFT demos on YouTube for specific problems that you can access for free. Be nice to yourself, try it and see for yourself that, at the very least, you will feel calmer. If you want to go deeper please call me and we can talk more about it.
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Jane sees clients at Pacific Naturopathic
on Thursdays
and in Oakland by appointment.
Schedule an appointment with Jane Hernandez, CCHT, by phoning 510-676-1460,
or by email at [email protected]
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For more information about Jane and her work
click here.
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Medical Humor:
A Break From
"Matters of Consequence"
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Lauren's Recipes
Lauren Hoover-West
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This fragrant rice is creamy with a hint of coconut. Perfect with curry!
Yields: serves 4
Ingredients:
1 cup filtered or bottled water
1 cup light coconut milk(or 1/2 cup regular coconut milk + 1/2 cup filtered water)
1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
pinch of sea salt
1 Tablespoon shredded coconut, unsweetened and toasted*
Directions:
- Bring water, salt, shredded coconut and coconut milk to a boil over high heat.
- Add rice and stir.
- Cover and turn heat down to low and cook for 15 minutes-set a timer.
- Turn off heat and let it sit for 5 minutes covered.
- Uncover and fluff with a wooden spoon. Serve hot.
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Lauren has appeared and cooked on ABC Live in Chicago and Sacramento. She has cooked for 4 United States Presidents and a United States Senator.
Lauren Hoover-West was classically trained at The California Culinary Academy, now the Cordon Bleu. She is a Chef/Educator/Consultant specializing in food allergies and health issues since 2002, including Gluten sensitivity, Celiac's Disease, Diabetes, Autism, Autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions.
Lauren has created a revolutionary way to cook delicious food that is gluten-free, dairy-free, low glycemic index, or sugar-free, and very healthy while tasting just as good as traditional food so, everyone can enjoy it.
 Lauren does not believe in using weird ingredients, so you will learn to use readily available food, and she will introduce you to items you may not have noticed before. She will help you replace all your pantry items with gluten-free, dairy-free, low glycemic alternatives!
She is the author of "No Wheat No Dairy No Problem"
cookbook and blog site. She has over 20 years of cooking and teaching experience at La Folie(Michelin star), Fairmont, Hyatt Resorts, Bally's, Marriott, New Leaf Market, Sur la Table etc... Lauren is the owner of Lauren's Kitchen, a customized meal service. She also earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology at St. Mary's College. To contact Lauren or for more information go to her blog site.
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Breast Thermography at
Pacific Naturopathic
- the safety of breast thermography -
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It is so very nice to have a screening test which does no harm, and which discovers problems in time to potentially resolve them before they reach the point at which they cannot be resolved without drastic measures such as surgery, chemo, or radiation.
Breast thermography is this type of test.
Breast thermography does not require radiating or compressing breast tissue. The breasts are not touched or harmed in any way. Using a special camera, the thermography exam identifies physiologic changes in the breasts which may indicate inflammation, lymphatic congestion, or developing pathology. Early intervention can resolve issues. If issues cannot be resolved, the need for further evaluation is advised.
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Read more about
breast
thermography
at
Pacific Naturopathic
here.
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Pacific Naturopathic Hawaii:
Dissipate Your Stress in Paradise
Check Future Openings
(then click on "Calendar")
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| Dr. Connie relaxes on the bench overlooking the ocean |
Finding yourself in need of a quiet space in which you might restore your outer self through communion with nature, and re-experience the peace and calmness of your deep inner Self?
Two of the nicest aspects of life at Pacific Naturopathic Retreat Center are the blending of the indoor and outdoor experience, and the benevolence of the outdoors. Windows, almost always open, refresh and perfume the air, allow the light to permeate the interior, and draw the eye to the exuberant tropical colors. In evening hours, windows filter in the squabbling of the mynah birds, the songs of the cardinals, the coqui frog chorus, and the sounds of the wild but peaceful menagerie sharing the land with human inhabitants.
On many days, gentle trade winds draw guests to the bench overlooking the ocean, with vistas to Maui and seasonal whale viewing. On sunny days, the Peace Garden offers shade. On coolish days, the sauna and hot tub beckon. Soft rain and even warm drenching downpours invite exploration of the land in rain boots and umbrellas. Later on, the inevitable rainbows add a touch of magic.
All in all, Pacific Naturopathic Retreat Center offers a very nice respite from day to day life in Silicon Valley and other urban areas.
Are you feeling wired, tired, stressed? Check our RETREAT CALENDAR and see if there is an opening for you.
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Isn't it time you treated yourself to a magical experience?
Come, enjoy, rejuvenate and reinvent yourself.
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The Hernandez Center for Adjunctive Cancer Care
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News and Commentary on Cancer Topics
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What We Offer
at the
Hernandez Center
for Adjunctive Cancer Care
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Our cancer patients often ask us to give them an estimate of the effectiveness of therapy at the Hernandez Center for Adjunctive Cancer Care. We respond that
our entire focus is on helping our patients stay healthy, upbeat and positive.
The truth is that the botanical and nutritional therapies we offer
(including
intravenous vitamin C), although 'adjunctive' in nature, have powerful documented actions in decreasing inflammation, reducing tumor load and attacking cancer stem cells.
Our mind/body approaches are focused on transformation of experience. And our bodywork approaches helpreduce muscular pain, resolve lymph drainage problems and relieve stress.
The hope we offer is not that of a miraculous cure,
although we are definitely open to miracles,
but the hope of a life lived to the fullest in dignity
and understanding, for however long that may be.
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- Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs): The rapidly growing industry of genetically modified crops are infiltrating our food supply at an alarming rate. More than 90% of our corn and soy are now genetically modified. This fairly new practice is the source of many debates. Experts agree that adequate testing was not done before GMO foods were added to the ingredient listing of thousands of products. In other words, no one - including the growers and manufacturers of GMO foods - knows the long-term effect they will have on human health. Look for GMO-free labels whenever possible or buy organic (which always means a product is not genetically modified).
- Microwave Popcorn: From the chemically-lined bag to the actual contents, microwave popcorn is at the center of lung cancer debates around the world. Not only are the kernels and oil likely GMO (which the manufacturer does not have to disclose) unless organic, the fumes released from artificial butter flavoring contain diacetyl, which is toxic to humans. Make your own organic popcorn the old-fashioned way - it tastes better, doesn't release toxic fumes, and is a healthier choice for you.
- Canned Goods: Most cans are lined with a product called bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been shown to genetically alter the brain cells of rats. Many plastic goods, thermal paper, water lines, and many dental composites also contain BPA. Help protect your DNA by sticking to fresh or frozen vegetables that have no added ingredients for your family's table! These are better for you and available year-round.
- Grilled Red Meat: While grilled food can taste delicious, scientists have discovered that preparing meats in this way - especially processed meats like hot dogs - releases a carcinogen called heterocyclic aromatic amines. When you grill red meat to the point of well-done, it changes the chemical and molecular structure of the meat. You're better off baking, broiling, or preparing meat in a skillet than on the grill.
- Refined Sugar: The biggest cancer causing food (by far) is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and other refined sugars. Even brown sugar is highly refined white sugar with some of the removed molasses added back in for flavor and color. Refined sugars (and foods made with them) are the source of major insulin spikes and feed the growth of cancer cells. Since the majority of the sugar supply in the U.S. is made using genetically modified (GMO) sugar beets, a healthier option is organic honey, coconut sugar, or maple sugar. Now that oncologists are using diabetes medication to fight cancer cells, there's no doubt (finally) that those mutated cancer cells love sugar.
- Salted, Pickled, and Smoked Foods: These products typically contain preservatives, such as nitrates, which are intended to prolong shelf life. The additives used in processed foods can accumulate in your body over time. Eventually, such toxins cause damage at the cellular level and lead to diseases like cancer. When smoked foods are cooked at high temperatures, the nitrates are converted to the much more dangerous nitrites. (Note: By pickled foods we don't mean the fermented foods you make at home.)
- Soda and Carbonated Beverages: Sodas have been at the center of the health debate for two decades as a major cancer causing food. Filled with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), dyes, and a host of other chemicals, they are very bad for every aspect of your health. They provide zero nutritional value and rob your body of the nutrients you get from other foods. Adding "diet" to the label means you're also likely consuming aspartame - which is no better than rat poison to human cells.
- White Flour: When flour is refined, all nutritional value is removed. Then it's bleached with chlorine gas to make it more appealing to consumers. The glycemic index for white flour is very high - meaning it spikes your insulin levels without providing nutritional fuel. Carbohydrates are converted to sugars by your body, so excessive products that contain white flour can lead to increased insulin resistance. Simple sugars (like refined carbohydrates) are the preferred fuel source for cancer.
- Farmed Fish: Commercial fish farming involves raising an incredible number of fish (such as salmon), in a crowded environment. More than 60% of the salmon consumed in the United States comes from a farming operation where they are treated with antibiotics, pesticides, and other carcinogenic chemicals to try and control the bacterial, viral, and parasitic outbreaks that result from cramming so many fish in a small space. Farmed fish also don't have as much omega-3 as wild salmon.
- Hydrogenated Oils: Vegetable oils are chemically extracted from their source, chemically treated, and more chemicals are added to change the smell and taste. They're packed with unhealthy omega-6 fats (that Americans already consume way too much of) and have been proven to alter the structure of our cell membranes.
Source: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/cancer-causing-foods-2/
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5 Foods that Help Relieve Cancer Fatigue
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#1. Whole milk yogurt from goat or nut milks: Commercial yogurts are generally laden with sugar and preservatives and are
made from pasteurized milk. Once the yogurt is pasteurized the live lactobacillus culture is killed. Thus the purpose of restocking the probiotics in the gut is blocked.
Making your own yogurt from nut milk is an alternative. You can buy a yogurt making machine for around $20-$30 and then get a live lactobacillus culture or kefir culture from your health food store or online. Follow the instructions to make your own yogurt at home. If you make your own yogurt and consume it within 48 hours you will not need to worry about the food spoiling. Then you can regain the healthy probiotics in your gut which will aide in recovery.
#2. High protein foods are important, but it's best to avoid powdered protein drinks, with the exception of a
quality bone broth protein powder. (Protein powders made from whey and soy have issues that are beyond the scope of this article.)
Suggested whole foods include avocado, dark leafy greens, broccoli sprouts, and fresh coconut. Superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, maca, and raw cacao are other good choices. Cruciferous vegetables can be lightly steamed (they should turn bright green and be removed from the steamer after about 2 minutes) to kill any pathogenic microorganisms while preserving the enzymes and vitamins.
#3. Five servings of fruits and vegetables daily are recommended. Some excellent choices for fruits include bananas, apples, and pears. These are readily available year round and offer numerous health benefits. Other choices include pomegranate, papaya, and pineapple for their high antioxidant content and
enzyme-rich qualities that will help digest your food while repairing tissue that has been damaged from free radicals.
#4. Berries are also a great food to add. Berries are detoxifying, easily digested, high in enzymes, and antioxidant rich. They are also very energizing. I love to combine berries with a banana, some greens, and a dash of superfood powder in the morning for a delicious smoothie that provides a great energy kick. I especially recommend adding some acai berry powder to the mix for its powerful anti-cancer properties.
Berries that are dark blue, black, purple, and red are full of anthocyanins to rebuild your system while boosting your energy.
#5. Super food supplements are also recommended such as spirulina, chlorella, coconut oil, chia, and Baobab powder. There are many more but these are especially good for increasing protein, vitamin, and mineral levels. And a little goes a long way. You can find all of these items at a good health food store or online.
Tip for Overcoming Cancer Fatigue: Avoid Dehydration
Your body is made up of mostly water and it is important to maintain fluids in your body. Every cell needs fluids to perform its processes and remove waste matter. If you consume at least eight glasses of lemon water daily your body will be able to move the nutrients faster through the necessary systems. Without sufficient water intake the body becomes sluggish and you may notice dizziness, nausea, general weakness, and brain fog.
Adding a few drops of fresh lemon juice will help you digest your food and makes the water taste good. Fresh lemons are usually available year round but you can substitute limes if necessary. Oranges are also good along with grapefruits.
Source:
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/foods-cancer-fatigue/?utm_campaign=cancer-fatigue&utm_medium=email&utm_source=maropost&utm_content=2017-05-07&utm_term=
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If you've ever had insomnia, you know worrying about sleep makes it even harder to fall asleep.
For the 30 percent of breast cancer survivors who have insomnia, sleepless nights can lead to depression, fatigue and a heightened risk of disease.
Now, new UCLA research shows that tai chi, a form of slow-moving meditation, is just as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been considered the "gold standard" treatment, with both showing enduring benefits over one year.
The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, show that
tai chi promotes robust improvements in sleep health in breast cancer survivors with insomnia, with additional benefits of improving depressive symptoms and fatigue. Furthermore, both tai chi and cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a form of talk therapy, showed similar rates of clinically significant improvements in symptoms or remission of insomnia.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine considers cognitive behavioral therapy the treatment of choice for insomnia. This approach involves identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors that are affecting the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
While cognitive behavioral therapy treats insomnia, it's too expensive for some people and there is a shortage of trained professionals in the field, said Dr. Michael Irwin, the study's lead author and a UCLA professor of psychiatry and director of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
"Because of those limitations, we need community-based interventions like tai chi," Irwin said. Free or low-cost tai chi classes are often offered at libraries, community centers or outdoors in parks. Do-it-yourselfers can find instructional videos on YouTube and smartphone apps.
In previous research, Irwin and colleagues found that tai chi, which relaxes the body and slows breathing, reduced inflammation in breast cancer survivors with the potential to lower risk for disease including cancer recurrence.
To test tai chi's effect on insomnia, researchers recruited 90 breast cancer survivors, who had trouble sleeping three or more times per week and who also reported feeling depressed and fatigue during the daytime. The participants ranged in age from 42 to 83 and were randomly assigned to weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions or weekly tai chi instruction for three months. The tai chi group learned a Westernized form of the practice called tai chi chih.
The researchers evaluated the participants at intervals for the next 12 months to determine if they were having insomnia symptoms, as well as symptoms of fatigue and depression, and determined whether they showed improvement.
At 15 months, nearly half of the participants in both groups (46.7 percent in the tai chi group; 43.7 percent in the behavioral therapy group) continued to show robust, clinically significant improvement in their insomnia symptoms.
"Breast cancer survivors often don't just come to physicians with insomnia. They have insomnia, fatigue and depression," said Irwin, who is also a member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. "And this intervention, tai chi, impacted all those outcomes in a similar way, with benefits that were as robust as the gold standard treatment for insomnia."
Many of the tai chi participants continued to practice on their own after the study concluded, reflecting the motivation he's observed among breast cancer survivor, Irwin said. "They often are seeking health-promoting activities because they recognize that the mindfulness approach, or health-based lifestyle interventions, may actually protect them," he said.
Source:
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170510175136.htm>
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Interested in finding out more about the adjunctive cancer treatment at the
Please phone us for an appointment at:
650-917-1121
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Other I.V. Therapies Offered at Pacific Naturopathic and the Hernandez Center
--I.V. therapy is not just for cancer patients--
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Many people have already heard about intravenous vitamin C as a complementary cancer therapy to help stimulate the immune system as well as being directly cytotoxic to cancer cells. This is the most common therapy we use at the Hernandez Center for our cancer patients.
But intravenous therapy is not just for cancer patients. More than half of our IV patients come for various "cocktails" to help them ward off infections and optimize their health. We offer a number of individualized versions of the famous "Myers Cocktail." Read about the Myers Cocktail HERE
Other cocktails we offer promote brain health, assist the liver in its detoxification efforts, relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue, help reduce stress, bring rapid relief from sinusitis, colds and flus, address immune system disorders, slow the progression of macular degeneration, reduce chronic pain and fibromyalgia and many other conditions.
Check out our new web site at www.IntravenousTherapies.com
For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact us at the Hernandez Center at (650) 917-1121. A lot more information can be found at www.IntravenousTherapies.com
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Pacific Naturopathic
and
The Hernandez Center
for Adjunctive Cancer Care
2570 W. El Camino Real, Suite 111
Mountain View, CA 94040
650-917-1121 (v) * 650-917-1127 (f)
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