- by Dr. James Augustine, BioVeda Health & Wellness Center of Cerritos, CA

Does Fluoride Really Fight Cavities?

Amalgam Fillings Update

At the end of the two-day hearing to evaluate the safety of amalgam, the FDA’s own scientific panel – including neurologists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, and environmental health specialists – told the agency to stop amalgam use in children, pregnant women, and hypersensitive populations.

After reviewing the available scientific studies and the presentations of researchers, experts, dentists, and injured consumers, the scientists concluded that – contrary to the claims of the FDA’s in-house dentist Susan Runner – amalgam is not safe for everybody.

According to the panel, the FDA’s amalgam risk assessments were not adequate to protect hypersensitive adults, children, and unborn babies. Repeatedly, panel members expressed their concern about amalgam use in children. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Suresh Kotagal of the Mayo Clinic summed it up for the entire panel:

“There is really no place for mercury in children.”

Other panelists went on to explain that dental mercury is like lead. The panel urged the FDA to quickly contraindicate amalgam for these vulnerable populations and insisted that the FDA provide consumers with labeling containing clear warnings.

- by Dr. Eric Herman, D.C. BioVeda Health & Wellness Center of Bethlehem

What causes allergies and chemical sensitivities?
Over the last decade, important breakthroughs have occurred in the identification and treatment of allergies. Dr. Robert Gardner, Ph.D. professor of nutrition at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), discovered that specific key chemical agents cause allergic reactions including hayfever. These naturally occurring chemical agents called “phenolic” (aromatic) compounds, are regularly found throughout our environment in thousands of items including most foods, pollen and chemicals.

What is the relationship between allergies and asthma?
Many forms of asthma are caused by allergic reactions from both airborne phenolic compounds and those found in foods. Asthmatic individuals can be helped in the same way as others suffering from allergies. Airborne phenolic compounds are often found in pollen, tobacco smoke, house dust, air pollution, kapok, wool, feathers, animal hair or dander, building materials, furniture stuffing, cottonseed, and chemical odors. Some examples of foods that are most likely to be factors associated with asthma are those eaten daily such as wheat, eggs, chocolate, corn, peanut butter, citrus fruits, potatoes and tomatoes. We have helped many people suffering from asthma by first testing for those phenolics and other agents that can cause or contribute to asthma. We then screen and treat allergies, if indicated, utilizing our clinics’ painless techniques. This treatment also helps strengthen the immune system.

Do I have to restrict my diet to avoid allergies?
Not usually. Since phenolics are found in so many foods and other materials, it would be virtually impossible through dietary restrictions to avoid the phenolics causing the reactions. For instance, one of the phenolics, gallic acid, occurs in about 70% of the foods we eat! Restricting a persons diet or giving injections of whole food extracts in an attempt to avoid this compound seems impractical in light of these discoveries.

However, there is a small, select group of people that are critically sensitive to some foods and should still avoid those items. These people require special therapeutic programs and instructions.

Why should I have allergies and feel tired even if I eat only “good foods”?
The fact that a person eats only “good foods” or even “health foods” may have little to do with whether or not they suffer from allergies. Phenolic compounds occur in “good” foods as well as those items commonly thought of as “junk” foods.
The solution is to strengthen the body’s immune system by neutralizing and desensitizing phenolic compounds within the foods, NOT by avoiding the foods themselves!

What are some of the symptoms of allergies?
Allergies affect people in differing degrees. In fact, many people suffer the effects of allergies but often don’t recognize that their problems are related to an allergy! In the course of treating allergies, the patient is often quickly benefitted by being relieved of symptoms (such as fatigue) that was not originally associated with the allergy. For example, Dr. Abram Ber, M.D. has found that sensitivity to gallic acid contributes to chronic lower back pain, nasal congestion and fatigue.
Furthermore, many other problems such as depression, bedwetting, hayfever, headaches, stomach and intestinal disorders and skin problems have been helped by phenolic neutralization.
Remember, the body is a very complex system. Relief from a stressful condition (such as an allergy) can very easily relieve stress in other parts of the body. In severe cases, it is like removing a crushing pressure from the body which has been held in a “vice-grip” for years!

Are there ways I can tell if I or someone in my family, especially my child. has an allergy?
Many of the symptoms of allergies in children are similar to allergies in adults. Doris J. Rapp, M.D. has reported that some children with allergies show black, blue or red circles under the eyes (called allergic shiners) which appear after a person gets near or eats something to which they are allergic. Another clue is bags under the eyes. Some children have puffiness directly below the eyes and others also have little bags below the outer edge of each eye. Deep creases or wrinkles under the eyes are typical of persons with an allergy. [9] Allergies to foods and chemicals are also linked to learning disabilities, hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children (and adults).

How can allergies be treated painlessly?
Physicians using the homeopathic phenolic neutralization and desensitization techniques utilize advances in technology to help hundreds of people overcome their allergy problems. The use of painless, non-injection methods of diagnosing and treating allergies is the most effective method we have personally witnessed.

These methods have been especially welcomed by parents with children who have suffered from a fear of needles and the discomfort of skin reactions, nausea and other unpleasant reactions caused by conventional provocative allergy testing.

Symptoms of Phenol Sensitivity
Some typical symptoms indicating your child may have a phenol problem are [not all of these need be present]: dark circles under the eyes, red face/ears, diarrhea, hyperactivity, aggression, headache, head banging or other self-injury, inappropriate laughter, difficulty falling asleep at night, and night waking for several hours. The typical adult symptom of phenol intolerance is chronic fatigue syndrome, which is the opposite symptom that most children have, altho some children do present as always tired/lethargic, instead of hyper with sleep and other issues.

List of High Phenol Foods
Here is a short list of high phenol foods from Karen Seroussi’s book. They are food dyes, tomatoes, apples, peanuts, bananas, oranges, cocoa, red grapes, colored fruits, and milk.

Here is the Feingold list of highly phenolic/high salicylate foods: toiletries, cleaning supplies, art supplies — that has any of the following ingredients: Synthetic/artificial colors and flavors [for example, FD&C colors, vanillin], BHA, BHT, TBHQ, [all the preceding are made from or related to petroleum], Natural Flavoring (may contain salicylate), Natural Coloring (may contain salicylate), Aspirin and products containing aspirin or salicylic acid, Salicylates, Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Berries (all), Cherries, Chili powder, Cider & cider vinegar (apples), Cloves, Coffee, Cucumbers & pickles, Currants, Grapes & raisins, Nectarines, Oranges, Paprika, Peaches, Peppers (bell & chili), Plums, Prunes, Tangerines, Tea, Tomatoes, Wine & wine vinegar (grapes), Oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate). Other items to consider are perfumes and fragrances, nitrites and nitrates, monosodium glutamate [MSG], Hydrolized Vegetable Protein [may contain MSG], sulfites/sulfiting agents, benzoates, and corn syrup [made from hydrogen sulfide + corn starch and many other added chemicals].

Advanced Treatment
Allergies are an error! The body is reacting inappropriately to a completely harmless substance, food or stimuli. STRESSORS are substances, foods or stimuli that place STRESS upon your nervous system.

Many of these STRESSORS can cause symptoms of allergies and sensitivities!

Your body can be retrained to accept these STRESSORS by no longer perceiving them as a threat. We do not treat and chase the symptoms, rather we get to the core of the problem…the nervous system’s inappropriate response to these STRESSORS. “We treat the person, not the condition”  Learn more:  Contact a BioVeda Health & Wellness Center near you!

By Dr. Andrew Moore, D.C., A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in Alamo Heights

1. Pollens. Pollens are the number one allergy triggers in the United States. Pollens are produced by vegetation – trees, grass and flowering plants – and are spread by air. When inhaled, they cause a reaction on people who are allergic to them. Most plant life release pollen into the air from spring to autumn, but there are also some plants that produce pollen in winter.

2. Animal hair. As lovable as dogs and cats are, the oil they secrete to coat their hair contains protein that can cause allergic reactions. The sad thing about it is that allergy to animal dander can develop over time and can end the relationship between a pet and its master.

3. Dust mites. Dust mites live in the dust that collect in homes and workplaces. They cannot be seen by the naked eye, and they feed on bacteria, fungi and dead skin cells in dust balls. The proteins that their waste products contain can cause allergic reactions.

4. Insect bites. An insect stings or bites as part of its defensive mechanism. However, when an insect bites, it leaves proteins in the skin that are also allergy triggers for some people. The allergy can manifest as mild swelling and itchiness, but it can also be life-threatening for some people.

5. Mold. Mold develops on damp and dark areas. When mold spores are touched or inhaled, they irritate the air tract and cause allergic reactions. Molds act almost the same way as pollens do, except that they persist even in sub-freezing temperatures.

6. Food. Some people are predisposed to developing allergies to food such as shellfish, peanuts, wheat and milk. Such people produce antibodies against the substances found in the food they are allergic to. When they eat this food, their antibodies release histamine and trigger allergic reactions. You can use food intolerance testing kit to identify possible food intolerance of your body for 96 different food types.

7. Latex. Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree, and this sap contains proteins that can be an allergy trigger for some people. When these people come in contact with latex, they immediately show an allergic reaction. This can be problematic, given that many items used in the health care business are made of latex.

8. Medicine. Some people have immune systems that are not friendly with substances found in some drugs, like penicillin and salicylates. When these people ingest medicine containing these allergens, they can break out.

9. Perfume. There are people who cannot stand the smell of perfume, no matter how good the perfume smells. The chemicals in the perfume irritate the lining of their nose and trigger the allergy.

10. Cockroaches. Cockroaches are creepy; nobody likes them. But more than that, the proteins that their feces contain can irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

The following article is part of our “Well Care” series on BioVedaWellness.com, about ingredients commonly used in every day products,that should be avoided in order to maintain optimal health and wellness. This week Liz explores the health effects of Sodium Fluoride.

- Guest Columnist, Liz Hopwood, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center

Do you brush your teeth twice a day? Have you ever looked at the ingredients in your toothpaste? Sodium Fluoride is one of the main ingredients in toothpaste, it also the main ingredient in rat and cockroach poison! Are you putting  poison in your mouth twice a day?
While  researching this topic, I looked at the toothpaste from my drawer and this is what it states:
Warnings
Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age.
If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Ask a dentist before use if you have:
• Bleeding or redness lasting more than 2 weeks
• Pain, swelling, pus, loose teeth, or more spacing between teeth
These may be signs of Periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease

WHAT!!!!! Why would the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approve this chemical for any person to use. Surprisingly, the FDA has never approved the use of Sodium Fluoride.   Additionally, a 1990 study stated that fluoride does NOT reduce cavities and scientists are now linking fluoride to dental deformity, arthritis, allergic reactions and about 10,000 unnecessary deaths each year from cancer. (From “Fluoride an equivocal carcinogen. National Cancer Institute).

There are many reasons why the FDA has approved the use of Sodium Fluoride, but some of the main reasons are:

1. Increase tumor growth rate by 25%
2. Accelerates aging process
3. Linked with osteoporosis says 1990 study of 541,000 people
4. Increase in bone cancer of young men by 50%
5. Increases cancer deaths – confirmed by National Cancer Institute

Some of the side effects you should watch for if you are using Sodium Fluoride are:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• mottled or discolored teeth
• sores in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach pain
• unusually weak or tired
• temporary irritation of the mouth

Another common place you can find Fluoride is in our drinking water. Only about 5% of the world’s population has fluoridated water supplies, and more than 50% of those are in North America. The use of Fluoride has been banned in Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

This was a true eye opener for me!  It is really scary to think that we are poisoning ourselves and our loved ones!  It takes a few extra seconds to read a label and ultimately better understand what you are putting in our mouth.  Please take a minute and research the ingredients, it could save your life!

Summer is here and every mother and father are out there yelling “Don’t forget your sunscreen!” Does this sound familiar? I cannot remember the last time that we left the house or my child left the house without putting sunscreen on! Have you ever read the ingredients on the container of sunscreen? It is like reading a toxic list of chemicals! Ever think about this list and what is actually being applied to your skin?

The Environmental Working Group did an investigation on almost 1,000 brand name sunscreens and found that 4 out of 5 do NOT provide protection and/or contain chemicals that could be a health hazard. Dr Cedric Garland, professor of family medicine at the University of California, and Frank Garland, director of Naval Health Research Center, have stated that “although sunscreen protects against sunburn, there is no proof that they protect against melanoma or carcinomas.” Dr Gordon Ainsleigh has also gone as far to say that “sunscreens cause more deaths than they prevent.” Various studies have linked sunscreen usage with high incidence of melanomas, birth defects, sterility, and uterine conditions such as endometriosis. Is it suspect that the countries promoting heavy sunscreen usage (Australia, USA) have the biggest increase in skin cancers?

In Canada and Europe only three active ingredients are allowed to be sold as sun blocks; avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Avobenzone works by absorbing the harmful radiation from the sun, which it then released as damaging free radicals on the skin. Although radiation from the sun is known to be a carcinogen, free radicals create the breeding ground for cancer to develop. So while avobenzone claims to offer sun protection, it is actually promoting the growth of cancers and aging.

Here are three tips on purchasing sunscreen:

1. For broad spectrum protection, make sure the sunscreen contains at least 7% zinc oxide.
2. Stay away from sunscreens with ingredients that include oxybenzone or bezophenone-3 – they are linked to allergies and hormone problems.
3. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid tanning beds: the UV radiation can be as much as 15 times that of the sun!

There are better sunscreens to choose from. Zinc oxide based sunscreens offer a healthier alternative. Zinc creams block the harmful UVA and UVB radiation instead of absorbing them and converting them to free radicals. A downside of zinc sunscreens is that they are more expensive. Application ease also ranges between products so if one doesn’t feel right then try another brand.

Bottom line: Know what you are putting on your skin! It could save your life!

The following article is part of our “Well Care” series on BioVedaWellness.com, about ingredients commonly used in every day products,that should be avoided in order to maintain optimal health and wellness.  This week Liz explores the health effects of aspartame.

- Guest Columnist, Liz Hopwood,  BioVeda Health and Wellness Center

Do you have headaches or migraines?  Are you suffering from memory loss?  Unexplained rash?  Most of us have no idea why we are having these symptoms.   Could these symptoms be related to what we are eating or drinking? They could be caused by Aspartame! What are the possible health effects of Aspartame?

Some of the possible health effects of Aspartame are: headache, migraines, memory loss, rash, dizziness, weight gain, and vision loss.  According to researchers some chronic illnesses can be triggered by the consumption of Aspartame.  Such illnesses are: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and brain tumors(to name a few).

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names, NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. According to Michael Murray’s Special Report: The bitter truth about Aspartame “Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death as recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: headaches, migraines, weight gain, rash, irritability, and Seizures (just to name a few).  According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting aspartame: Brain Tumors, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, diabetes.”

Why are we not being informed of the effects of Aspartame?  Michael Murray believes there are two reasons.

1. Lack of awareness by the general population. Aspartame-caused diseases are not reported in the newspapers like plane crashes. This is because these incidents occur one at a time in thousands of different locations across the US.
2. Most people do not associate their symptoms with the long-term use of aspartame. Many people who have killed a significant percentage of brain cells and have thereby caused a chronic illness,  would not associate such an illness with aspartame consumption.

Aspartame is found in many foods.  Some examples are coffee, breath mints, cereals, instant breakfast, frozen desserts, and sugar free chewing gum.  Trying to eliminate Aspartame from your diet will be extremely hard, but you can do it.

One of the hardest things I ever gave up was Diet Coke. At one point, I was drinking three to four diet cokes a day. For lent one year, I decided to give up Diet Coke. No problem! Boy was I wrong!!  Day one, I had horrible headaches and could barely function.  My energy level was down dramatically! It took about two weeks to finally start feeling better. After the withdrawal, I vowed to steer clear of drinks or eating foods containing Aspartame.

It takes a few extra seconds to read a label and ultimately better understand what you are drinking or eating.  Please take a minute and research the ingredients, it could save your life!

- by Dr. Craig Burns, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center of East Centennial

Allergies, Asthma and Food Sensitivities are on the rise.    Read more to discover why food sensitivities lead to allergy disorders, skin conditions and digestive symptoms.  Discover an exciting new holistic therapy!

Question: Why are the statistics for allergies and asthma getting worse every year?  Why do more kids than ever before have allergies?

Answer: The #1 reason for increased rates of allergies and asthma is that more people than ever before are becoming FOOD SENSITIVE, i.e. they are developing “unknown” food sensitivities to otherwise harmless foods.

Question: Why are people (and parents) so quick to accept that allergy and asthma symptoms are something they will have to “learn to live with”?

Answer: Because they don’t know that there are highly effective holistic solutions to detecting and correcting these troublesome food sensitivities.

Food Sensitivity Testing and Treatment:  A Holistic Breakthrough with Unbeatable Results
Imagine having a stomach ache or upset tummy after eating a seemingly harmless food like eggs or fruit.  Imagine not being able to eat what you like, when you like because you are afraid of the consequences.  Imagine not knowing what causes your digestive trouble and having to tip toe through life hoping what you put into your mouth is not going to “react” later. This is how many people live their lives.  And guess what… they have come to accept it!  People must learn to live with such troublesome issues when they and their doctors fail to recognize the underlying cause of the problem.  Worse yet, they are forced to rely on Pepto-Bismol, Tums, Ibuprofen, and other offending substances that offer a long term side effect that is worse than the original condition itself, like osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, and kidney dysfunction. So, where does it all end?  What is the solution to such a common problem that is getting worse year by year?  Rest assured the answer will never be found unless we decide that there must be another way, a better way to treating these conditions.

The True Underlying Cause of Many Digestive Symptoms
There are many reasons why people have digestive problems, but perhaps the most common of all is the substance association stress response.  The substance association stress response is what takes place when a person eats something that they are hypersensitive to, i.e. allergic to.  It is the trigger that initiates a cascade of events that inevitably leads to troublesome symptoms.  It is the defining difference between the person that is “OK” eating eggs and the person that is “NOT OK” eating eggs.  Whatever you might be hypersensitive to, eggs – you name it, is not the real problem.  Instead it is the abnormal way in which your body “reacts” to the substance. The substance association stress response is a neurological event that is orchestrated by the central nervous system, specifically the autonomic nervous system.  To put it simply, it is a faulty wiring and timing issue within the body itself that if left uncorrected will always led to the same outcome, i.e. symptoms and misery.  To put it another way, it is an abnormal reflex response that the body has when it comes into contact with a particular chemical or substance.  Remember when you first touched something hot as a child and jerked your hand away?  Probably not, but you do know the theory behind how your body learned to develop reflexes or habits that protect you.  You also know that these reflexes eventually become unconscious and automatic.  Well, interestingly enough, your body can acquire bad reflexes too.  In short, the substance association stress response is a great example of an unhealthy reflex.  And, as many people know it can be a bad, abnormal, unnecessary, untimely reflex at that. What if you could break that reflex and establish a new one, a healthier reflex to eggs, fruit – you name it!  What if you could break the reflex that makes your body react to something that many other people do not react to?  What if you could go from being “NOT OK” with certain foods, chemicals and substances to being “OK” with them like other people are?  Would that be a better life, a more enjoyable life?  You bet it would!!

Can’t I Just Use an Avoidance or Elimination Strategy?
You could, but would that be the best thing for you to do?  If you have an obvious abnormality in the way your central nervous system works – why wouldn’t you want to fix it?  The truth is allergy symptoms and the substance association stress responses are just the tip of the ice burg.  They are a physical manifestation of an underlying problem within your central nervous system.  Your central nervous system is like your body’s super computer.  You don’t want ANY underlying problems, glitches, malfunctions, etc.  The result of an abnormally functioning nervous system is always dysfunction and dis-ease.  By the same token, the result of a healthy well functioning nervous system is health without the presence of symptoms.

Can Underlying Food Allergies Cause Other Allergy Disorders?
Yes.  It is well accepted that underlying food allergies may in fact drive other allergic disorders like asthma, skin conditions, seasonal allergies, etc.  The more substance association stress responses a person has the greater the symptoms and condition.  For instance, a person could have several “unknown food hypersensitivities” that magnify or fuel the one “known” allergy. It works like this.  Your central nervous system can only handle so much stress before it crashes like a computer and produces symptoms.  The more “unknown” sensitivities you have the more neurological stress you ask your body to deal with on a regular basis.  In a way your body remains on edge or close to a tipping point, and you don’t even know it.  So when that cat enters the room, or the seasons change, or that food is consumed – your central nervous system and immune system crash and you have an allergic reaction. So then, is the real problem what you see, the tip of the iceberg?  Or is the real problem what goes unseen, what lies beneath the surface?  Could it be that allergy and asthma symptoms are getting worse year after year because we are only focusing on what we see on the surface, paying no attention to the true underlying cause of the condition?  Statistics and simple logic, as described above, would suggest so.

What Should a Person With Allergy and Asthma Symptoms Do?
To put it simply, stop treating the symptoms as if they are the condition.  Try and find the true underlying cause of the condition, and fix it once and for all.  Then and only then will your body be free from the substance association stress response, and thus be symptom free. Remember, reflexes and habits both good and bad can be easily built and easily broken.  The key is finding the right doctor to help you do just that. In my opinion, nearly every allergy and asthma patient has 2 choices:

1. To learn to live with their condition and rely on man made medications to manage symptoms, thus leaving the bodily dysfunction to worsen with time.
2. Or, to learn more about their body, to improve it for the sake of their future well being and allow it to work as God designed it to.

If you or someone you know has allergy or asthma symptoms, we may be able to help. Contact us to see if you are a candidate for an exciting new therapy – a holistic therapy that is offering both hope and results to families across the nation. Long lasting relief and optimal health may finally be within your reach!

Seasonal Allergies and Asthma are a concern for many as we approach Spring pollen season where environmental allergens are abundant. However pollen allergies may not be the only thing we need to worry about. Chemical weed killers, pesticides, and other lawn care products are a menace to the earth and detrimental to our health. Many of the symptoms we attribute to seasonal allergies and asthma could be due to a chemical sensitivity to the chemicals lurking in our yards, being tracked into our homes and absorbed into our foods.

Disturbing Facts About Pesticide (Over)Use
Americans dump approximately seventy million tons of fertilizer and seventy to ninety million pounds of pesticides on their lawns each year. 40-60% of nitrogen from fertilizer runs off or leaches away, ending up in ground or surface water, including wells.  60-70 million birds die from pesticide poisoning each year in the US alone.  If birds are dying, pesticides must be toxic to humans on some level!

Weed Killers as Endocrine Disrupters
A study released and reported on CNN this week, “Pesticide inhibits frogs’ sex lives“, finds that a common herbicide, atrazine, can emasculate male frogs and turn some into females, causing amphibian declines around the world. The scientists involved in the study believe that the pesticide interferes with endocrine hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. The effect of atrazine on humans is still not known, however it could pose a risk to reproductive health.  The weed killer Atrazine was banned by the European Union in 2004, because it was showing up harmful levels in drinking water.

Pesticides and Asthma
BeyondPesticides.org whose mission is to rid the world of toxic pesticides, explores the connection between pesticide use and asthma in their article, “Asthma, Pesticides and Children“,

“Although no single study can conclusively prove that a certain pesticide causes asthma, numerous studies have found compelling evidence that exposure to pesticides is correlated with higher rates of asthma. One research focus has been on farmers and pesticide applicators, groups typically exposed to higher levels of pesticides than the average population. Many studies have shown that this population has higher rates of asthma and other respiratory problems due to their use of pesticides. Yet occupational pesticide exposure is only one piece of the puzzle—household and community exposure to pesticides can also lead to respiratory problems.

An early study done in the 1960s in Hawaii found that frequent household use of insecticides is correlated with an increased prevalence of respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic bronchitis. The majority of the pesticides used were bug sprays for mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches.

A landmark study done in 2004 shows that not only do environmental exposures lead to above-average asthma rates among children, but that timing of exposure is crucial. The researchers studied over 4000 school-aged children in California and discovered that children exposed to herbicides during their first year of life are four and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with asthma before the age of five; toddlers exposed to insecticides are more than twice as likely to get asthma. This study further clarifies the fact that young infants and toddlers are most susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides on the respiratory system.”

Holistic Approach to Lawn Care!
Much like BioVeda Health and Wellness Centers holistic approach to health care, natural and organic lawn care takes a holistic, preventative view rather than reacting to various problems using chemical pesticides or herbicides. By building healthy soil many of the problems with lawns are solved, eliminating the need for poisons and harsh reactionary measures. So, before you reach for toxic herbicides and pesticides, consider some of the following organic methods for killing weeds and overall yard maintenance:

• Vinegar – a powerful, safe alternative to chemical herbicides, vinegar requires precise application as it will kill grass and other plants.  Make sure you apply directly to the base of the weed or paint it on with a brush.  You may need to apply several times to get the job done.
• Corn Gluten – A nontoxic byproduct of corn processing, corn gluten kills weed seedlings within days of application. It also adds nitrogen to your soil. Just one application, before weeds emerge, reduced weed survival by 60%, according to research at Iowa State University. After several years, this method provides as much as 90% weed control.
• Time-released, Water Insoluble Nitrogen Fertilizer - These fertilizers are less likely to burn your lawn with excess nitrogen, and slow-release allows the roots to absorb the nutrients as needed. In most instances, choose fertilizers containing at least 35% – 50% of their nitrogen supply in the “slow-release” form, such as sulfur-coated urea, methylene urea or various natural organic products. With fast-acting fertilizers, some nutrients are washed away with watering or rain, and the wasted fertilizer pollutes ground water supplies.

Find out more!

Pesticide Look-up on Wikipedia

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pesticides

Journal of American Medical Association – Acute Illness Associated with Pesticide Exposure in Schools

Dr. Eric Herman, D.C. with BioVeda of Bethlehem, recently wrote about the importance of diet and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children on his BioVeda of Bethlehem Blog:

Many studies have shown positive outcomes in reducing the symptoms of ADHD simply by changing your child’s diet. In my practice I have observed drastic positive changes in children’s behavior by adding essential nutrition and removing toxic and empty caloric consumption from a persons eating habits.

The following are what I have observed to be the most important dietary modifications if you want to improve your attention, focus and emotional stability.

ADD THESE TO YOUR DIET:

1. Essential fatty acids(EFA’s) – studies have shown that children with learning disorders, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, often have an EFA deficiency. The right kinds of fats are super important to ingest on a daily basis. among many other functions good fats are needed for proper brain function. That is why they are called essential fatty acids because your body can not make them and without them we would die!

The following are foods that are good sources of EFA. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and trout, flax seeds, nuts, dark leafy green vegetables, and grass fed meats and eggs. Good oils to use are Molecularly Distilled (gets rid of toxic mercury) fish oil, olive oil, krill oil, sunflower oil and flax seed oil.

2. Vitamin B complex – the B Vitamins improve neural activity and are great at helping the body cope with stress. Good food sources of Vitamin B are meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cereal grains, milk, legumes & fresh vegetables.

3. Protein – eating small portions of protein throughout the day evens out your energy. Here are some helpful tips for protein snacks for you children. String cheese wrapped in whole grain bread, a hard boiled egg, plain whole fat yogurt blended with a ripe banana for sweetness or simply mixing some protein powder in your child’s favorite smoothly.

4. Calcium and Magnesium – calcium in addition to building strong bones also supports a healthy nervous system which could improve a child’s behavior. Magnesium also has a calming effect on the nervous system helping to maintain normal muscle and nerve function and is involved in energy metabolism. Many studies have shown children with ADHD who supplement with calcium and magnesium have responded positively. Foods that are good sources of calcium and magnesium are, green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens as well as whole grains. Spinach, beans, peas, nuts and seeds are great sources of magnesium.

5. Trace minerals – trace minerals are micronutrients that are needed by the body every day, but in small amounts. Trace minerals that would help an ADHD child include zinc and iron. Studies have shown that children with ADHD have low levels of zinc in their bodies compared to children without ADHD. Iron helps regulate the neurotransmitter dopamine and may help children with ADHD. Trace minerals are found in organic fruits and vegetables. I recommend taking a good mineral supplement every day.

6. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. The brain is about 80% water, and increasing your water intake to 7 to 10 glasses per day might be very helpful all by itself. Sodas, Gatorade, teas, icees, etc., do not count as water. Only water counts as water.

THINGS TO AVOID

1. NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow’s milk. Instead try Almond milk, Rice milk, or Better Than Milk.

2. NO JUNK FOODS.

3. NO FRUIT JUICES.

4. CUT SUGAR INTAKE

5. AVOID NUTRASWEET.

6. NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG.

7. AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

]]> http://biovedawellness.com/2010/02/diet-and-adhd/feed/ 6 http://biovedawellness.com/2010/01/misbehavior-and-allergies-in-children-is-there-a-link/ http://biovedawellness.com/2010/01/misbehavior-and-allergies-in-children-is-there-a-link/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:37:55 +0000 admin http://biovedawellness.com/?p=1350

This video (as posted by Dr. Eric Herman on BioVedaofBethlehem.com) is a must watch for parents who struggle to find the source of their child’s extreme misbehavior and violent outbursts. Dr. Doris Rapp has dedicated her life to identifying and providing simple solutions for behavior problems in kids and specifically targets the affects of allergies, food sensitivities and toxins on children.  In the video below, she offers insight into how to help a child who suffers from allergy induced behavior problems. While Dr. Rapp is not affiliated with BioVeda Health and Wellness Centers, we feel this information will help parents better understand that some children with bi-polar and ADHD symptoms can be helped without the use of dangerous off-label drugs.