doctor mel

Fevers are a natural defense against infectious agents: viral, bacterial or environmental.  Teething may also cause a low fever (<101°) Most fevers are beneficial to a child and caused by viruses, and rarely exceed 104-105°

Dr. Sears says a fever doesn’t damage until over 105°, and this is very rare, usually caused by toxins or heatstroke.

Treat the child, not the fever. Consider how the child is acting- mood, activity level, are they playing, are they eating- don’t rush fever suppressing drugs to children as soon as you see a small increase in temperature. Low-grade fevers are helpful in fighting off infection, so treat a fever when it is making your child miserable.  Don’t withhold fever medication if your child is suffering, acetomenophen at the right dose is very well tolerated and will help your child sleep and feel better.

Natural fever support: A sponge bath in warm water will help reduce a fever. Put the child in a few inches of warm water and use a sponge or washcloth to wet the skin of the body and arms and legs. The water itself does not cool the child, the evaporation of the water off the skin does

Prevent dehydration.  Encourage the child to drink clear fluids such as juice, water with electrolytes, chicken soup, breastmilk etc.

Herbal Tea:  Tea is an excellent way to give herbs while keeping a feverish child hydrated and nourished.  Elderflower and ginger increase sweating to help manage hot fevers, and ginger is warming for chills. Other helpful herbal teas for fever include chamomile, rosemary and peppermint. Honey can be added to the tea if child is over one year, if necessary. My daughter loves drinking herb teas and I never add any sweetener.

Hyland’s brand Ferrum Phosphoricum cell salts are useful to bring down a fever. For high fevers, give once every 15 minutes to half hour until the fever starts going down. Thereafter, give 3-4 times per day until the fever dissipates. You can put the pellets in water and sip, or directly in the mouth. (dissolve very easy)

Try some lavender essential oil in cool water and dip a cloth in and wipe on child’s forehead for a cooling relaxing effect

Taking a temperature: If your baby is less than 3 months of age, take a rectal temperature

•Ear thermometers are not very reliable for children less than 6 months of age, or for temperatures over 102° F

•If your baby is bundled, this can cause an elevated temperature. Unwrap your baby and retake the temperature in a half hour

Go to the hospital or see your doctor: If a child under the age of three months develops a fever

If your child is convulsing or hallucinating

If your child’s fever has not changed in over three days

If your child is complaining of stiff neck

If your child has repeated vomiting and/or diarrhea

If your child’s fever is 104 F or over orally or 103 F in the armpit

If you have a feeling that something is really wrong, or you don’t feel comfortable with the situation.

If you need fever medication: I recommend acetomenophen (Tylenol) to body weight.  There is a chart on the bottle, often half the dose is effective. Never give asprin.

Disclaimer:  reading this article does not take the place of seeking proper medical consultation.

People speak to me everyday about this issue.  Unfortunately high stress lifestyles are part of our culture, with lots of work hours and little time for leisure or exercise. In times of high stress the adrenal glands become taxed, trying to produce a lot of the stress hormone cortisol, and eventually can burn out into what is called adrenal exhaustion with very little hormone production.   Both high and low cortisol have side effects, so it is important to try to balance stress when the crunch is on.  Of course, the best treatment is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, some of which include: a good work/ life balance,  at least 7+ hours of sleep, proper nutrition,  regular cardiovascular exercise, time outside, time for spiritual life, and hobbies.

If you are feeling the effects of stress after making all possible lifestyle changes, here are a few more specific things to focus on:

Follow a routine:  the adrenal glands like a routine.   They follow a 24 hour cycle themselves, and appreciate it when you do. Go to bed and eat at the same time.

Make sure you always eat breakfast, specifically some protein.  This will help with blood sugar, as starvation is seen as a stress on the body, and increases cortisol levels.  In a rush?  Have a protein drink with berry or green powder, shake in a jar to go.

Support your digestion:  high cortisol blocks digestive function, so don’t eat while in the stressful business meeting. Chew your food consciously,  and try digestive bitters just before you eat if you think this system needs some support.  Chamomile can calm a stressed stomach.

No computer/ business right before bed, and sleep in total darkness.

Use your body!   Most of our stress is in our brains, so get into your body and do some exercise, dance, yoga, stretching- whatever makes you happy.

Breathe- a real deep one, with loud exhalation.  It really works!  Our breath can slow the mind….

If you need a little more help, try a nervous system tonic.  I use some great herbs which can be blended into formulas specific for you.  These herbs help the body deal with stress, and can focus on relaxing muscles, promoting deeper sleep, calming, building energy, etc.

If these things are not enough then I recommend doing an adrenal saliva test to further customize your program.

Blueberries: Maximizing your intake of foods rich in antioxidants is an excellent approach to anti-aging and disease prevention, and blueberries are one food that are absolutely loaded with antioxidants. They protect against sun damage, support eye health, are high in fiber, low in naturally occurring sugars, and contain a potent dose of proanthocyanidins beneficial for skin, cognitive function and cardiovascular health.

Broccoli: Some sources say that just 2½ cups of broccoli a week is all that you need to reduce your risk of various types of cancer. (but if you eat more you will receive greater benefits!) Broccoli is high in fiber, minerals and vitamins, as well as a compound called indol-3-carbinol (I-3-C). I-3-C is an anti-cancer compound because it helps to convert estrogen, linked to breast and prostate cancers, into a less harmful metabolite. And not to mention it tastes great too.

Almonds and walnuts: Raw nuts like almonds and walnuts are top choices for snacking as they are rich in healthy fats, zinc, selenium, vitamin E and provide a mixed source of protein. Snacking on these or adding them to salads or oatmeal five times per week can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as lowering cholesterol too.  Freshly ground almond butter is a great substitution for peanut butter too.

Flaxseeds: Adding two to three tablespoons of flaxseeds to your smoothies, oatmeal, salads or cereals daily can significantly reduce the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancer, along with providing a good source of fiber and essential fatty acids. The lignans in the flaxseeds, rather than the oil, are the cancer protective compounds, help detoxify hormones and other toxins, and support digestive health.  To prevent the oils from going rancid, grind your own seeds every few days, and keep in the fridge or freezer. Almost every salad dressing tastes great on top of flaxseeds!

Today’s lifestyle is crazy. Even if you are lucky enough to take the time for yoga, meditation, and exercise, your body may be feeling the effects of our high stress culture. Stress affects everyone differently; for some it may be insomnia or agitation, others may get tight muscles or digestive problems. The nervous system is in charge of every system in our bodies, so any symptom may be due to stress. But the good news is there are wonderful plants that can help us deal with stress. These herbs not only soothe the symptoms we are experiencing, but over time can actually balance our cortisol and DHEA, the stress hormones. I love giving people nervous system tonics, they feel better when they take them, and they always come back for more. Of all the remedies I prescribe, my nervous system tonics are the most talked about. These tonics help with sleep, mood and energy, and are safe when pregnant or breastfeeding.

My favorites: insomnia  chamomile and valerian

calming all day: chamomile, skullcap, st. johns wort, zizyphus

stressed breastfeeding mom: chamomile, verbeena, tillia

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  Now is a great time to get on a herbal program, if you aren’t already, as pregnancy has high demands on the mom. Many herbs have been used for thousands of years, supporting women in all stages of pregnancy, and are not only totally safe but extremely benificial. I can’t imagine what my pregnancy would have been like without herbal and homeopathic medicines!

First term: Now is a great time to start nutrient tea.  I recommend a blend of nettle, oatstraw (avena) and raspberry leaf.  This blend is high in minerals including iron, and has many nutrients to support mom and baby.  Raspberry also is a wonderful tonic for the uterus where baby is developing, and oatstraw is calming and supporting to the nervous system.  If you have nausea then you could add a bit of ginger and or peppermint to the mix.

Second term:  continue with the nutrient tea. This blend is wonderful for the whole pregnancy, you may drink it freely for the whole nine months.  I often would brew a pot at night , and make enough for the whole day.

Third term:  continue with nutrient tea. These herbs also help with milk production, and raspberry leaf helps to make the contractions of the uterus more effective (a good thing!)

At this time it is important to add herbs specific for the final stages of pregnancy, like partridge berry, verbena, blue and black cohosh, and gelsimium.  Some of the herbs can be toxic in the wrong doses so it is important to consult with a licensed practitioner for this.  These herbs help to dilate the cervix and help prevent long and delayed childbirths.   It is never too late to start taking herbs, even if you are already overdue, the herbs will help!

There are several nutritional supplements I recommend during pregnancy, will be the topic of a future post.

Regular cleansing is an important part of maintaining health. As the world around us gets more toxic, the burden on our bodies also increases.  There are greater environmental challenges, “dead foods” and toxic food additives, drugs, alcohol, heavy metals, and other things we expose our bodies to.

Avoiding certain foods while supporting our body with remedies helps our body clear the toxins we have inevitably accumulated. Cleansing diets help to take the burden off the digestive system, allowing the body to heal faster.   Benefits may be noticed such as weight loss, more energy, improved skin, less allergy symptoms, more alkaline body ph, joint or muscle pain decreases etc.

The following two cleanses are extremely beneficial and generally well tolerated. Some people report minor reactions to the diet in the first few days, as their body adjusts and toxins are processed.  Usually there are no symptoms, and any symptoms there are last just a few days at most. Stick with it, you are going to feel great!!!

Breaking your cleanse is very important too, make sure you do this gently no matter which cleanse you choose. If you binge the day your cleanse ends you will not get any benefits of cleansing. If you have chosen cleanse 2 or 3 add foods back gradually- one new food group per day (eg dairy one day, grains the next)

Choose one of the following cleanses:  Cleanse 1.   This cleanse lasts for 14 days, and has the most food choices.  It is the most gentle, and possibly the easiest because of the many foods included.

Fruits and veggies: as many as possible fresh, frozen, steam, saute, roast, juice.  No corn, mushrooms, oranges or their juice. limited fruit juice (very sweet)

Dairy: no dairy    sub rice, oat, or almond milk

Grains: whole grains: brown rice, oats, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet. No corn, wheat, barley, spelt, kamut, rye, triticale and no gluten products of any kind!

Legumes: split peas, lentils, any dried bean ok

Animal protein: fish, wild game, lamb, duck, organic or free range chicken, turkey, grass fed beef.  No pork, cold cuts (unless nitrate free) shellfish, eggs

Nuts and seeds: all but peanuts are ok -whole or ground

Oils: olive, flax, walnut, grapeseed, safflower, pumpkin, coconut, sesame, ghee ok. No butter, margarine, shortening, salad dressing, mayonnaise, spreads, canola

Drinks: herbal tea, green tea, spring water, mineral water, lemon water. No alcohol, coffee, black tea, soft drinks.  If the coffee thing is a big deal, you can have one black per day but it is best to avoid it.

Sweeteners: molasses, stevia, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, fruit sweetener. No white/ brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, sucanet

Condiments Braggs, apple cider vinegar, all spices including salt, lemons. No ketchup, relish, soy sauce, other condiments

Add 2 tbsp minimum fresh ground flax seeds daily to any food (salad, oatmeal, steamed veggies are nice) or even just in water for fiber.  This helps with bowel detoxification.

Cleanse 2  the fruit and veggie cleanse.  This is moderately difficult and lasts 5 days.  Only fruits and veggies are eaten to provide a high amount of nutrients and fiber.  The more you eat the more you cleanse.

Only eat fruits and veggies. Choose any fruits except banana, any veggies except corn, potatoes, sweet potato.  No avocados.

Start your day with 4 oz of prune or fresh apple juice.

Add 2 tbsp minimum fresh ground flax seeds daily to food or water for fiber and bowel detoxification.

2 litres of spring water.  Add some lemon if you like.

unlimited herbal teas, including green tea (organic Japanese is the best type)

unlimited fresh vegetable juice (if unavailable bottled juice will be ok, read ingredients!)

1 more glass of fruit juice, fresh is best

Unlimited vegetable broth- any vegetables can be boiled.  You can also add chicken bones or herbs to season.

Protein drink: You may use a scoop of whey, hemp or rice protein in water or half juice 2 X day. This will help with energy and hunger, and also helps your liver detoxify.

Suggestions for both cleanses:  Drink lots of fluids

Veggie broth to assist with detoxification: consider onion, garlic, beet, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, celery, carrot. You can add any herbs to this mixture (rosemary, ginseng, nettles, astragalus, ginger, turmeric etc), and any soup bones or other veggies in the fridge.

Whey protein drink for energy, cleansing and hunger: half water and half juice, or all water with a scoop of whey protein, 2 tbsp ground flax, big scoop greens optional. Shake vigorously in a jar with a lid for best texture.

Fresh juice favorites: celery, broccoli stalks and tops, ginger, parsley, half a beet all juiced will provide minerals, good ph balance and detoxify.

Gentle exercise daily or at least 5 x week.  Listen to your body, don’t push vigorous exercise if you feel less energy from cleansing, but make sure you at least get walking.

Sauna’s increase your body’s ability to detox through the skin. To increase your sweating ability try a ginger tea first. Rinse off after your sauna.

Epson salts 1-2 cups in a bath are relaxing and detoxifying.

Chew your food well, and don’t drink liquids with meals as this dilutes the digestive juices.

Cleansing remedies for both cleanses, available at my office:  unda 2, unda 258, Nettle tea, Vitamin c,  Mediherb Vitanox or equivalent (curcumin, grapeseed, rosemary and green tea), Liver tincture

If you become constipated while cleansing it is important to contact your doctor- If toxins are released they need somewhere to go!

If you would like to intensify your cleanse, you may begin or end with one to two days of liquids only.  (water, juice, tea, broth)  Protein powder is recommended on these days. Discuss this with your doctor.

What is an elimination diet? This diet is designed to identify food sensitivities or allergies, by temporarily avoiding certain foods for 2 weeks, followed by a period of systematic reintroduction. Such allergies may range from mild or hardly noticeable reactions to severe allergic responses. Food allergies may contribute to many health concerns and impact our ability to achieve optimum health.

General Instruction: Create a daily food journal to record any changes. Continue to take nutritional supplements and herbal medicines unless otherwise directed. You may initially (1-5 days) experience cleansing symptoms which could include: headache, fatigue, increased food cravings, irritability, or an aggravation of a symptom you already have. Stick with it! Call your doctor if you are concerned.

Elimination Phase This is a period of 2 weeks during which certain food groups will be eliminated from your diet. At a minimum, you should completely avoid dairy products, red meat, gluten containing grains, and eggs. These foods are involved in more than 80% of all food sensitivities.

EXCLUDE: citrus fruits, banana, melons, sweetened fruit drinks and dried fruit

Wheat, corn, barley, spelt, kamut, rye, and all gluten- containing products

Beef, pork, cold cuts, sausage, canned meets, egg, shellfish

Soy and soy products

Peanuts and pistachios

All dairy

Canned vegetables

Margarine, butter, shortening, processed oils, spreads (olive oil and expeller pressed oils are ok)

Soda pop, alcoholic beverages, coffee (1/day black coffee or tea is ok)

*If you are experiencing inflammation also avoid: tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, potatoes (yam/sweet potatoes are ok)

Reintroduction Phase

For the next few weeks, food groups that have been eliminated will be progressively added back. In general, first reintroductions should be in small portions. If you get a reaction, don’t include it anymore. Allow 3-4 days for each group added back. Document any observations in your journal.

Rebuilding There are times when the digestive tract has been severely impaired due to chronic disease or long term exposure to fold allergies. As part of the elimination diet program it may be necessary to rebuild and heal the digestive tract. Consult with your naturopathic doctor to identify what additional steps need to be taken

There are many reasons why people carry extra weight, so to effectively loose it you need to figure out why you have it in the first place. The most obvious factor is energy input (amount of food eaten) minus energy output (calories burned).  If you know you enjoy a lot of high calorie snacks or desserts and rarely exercise, this is the obvious place to begin.  However, many people have already tried calorie restriction without any success, so you may need to dig a little deeper.  Most of the patients I see with weight problems also have hormonal imbalances, and until the hormones are addressed the weight will rarely budge.

tips on how to increase your metabolic rate

Stay hydrated: Drink water 20 minutes before a meal.  Because you are not dehydrated you will eat less.

Drink maté tea: Maté tea combined with herbs and vitamins speeds up metabolism to burn excess fat.

Eat vegetables: The soluble fiber in vegetables absorbs toxins and slows sugar entry into the bloodstream.

Control portion size: Studies show that American portions are almost twice the size of other countries.  Put less on your plate and you will eat less.

Try a cleanse:  Avoiding common allergens will give your digestive system a break, and help decrease overall body toxicity

Ask your doctor to check for: blood sugar, insulin, blood pressure, thyroid, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and estrogen/ progesterone for the ladies.  Proper testing is the key to understanding your metabolism.

I believe that doctors are overprescribing statin drugs to lower cholesterol. Cholesterol does need to be addressed but it is being focused on far too much without thinking holistically- why is the cholesterol high? What else might be happening in the body, and what are the side effects of taking synthetic statin drugs?

So why might cholesterol be high? If the blood vessels are inflamed and damaged, the body will try to repair the damage, by using cholesterol patches.  The body would need to increase the amount of cholesterol made, to make its patches. This process is the beginning of atherosclerosis (clogged vessels) and is why cholesterol is considered a risk for heart disease, because there is an association with high cholesterol and heart disease. However, the true association is with the damaged blood vessels, not the actual cholesterol itself.  Cholesterol is at the scene of the crime, but may not be guilty….

Thought… What if by blocking its patch making you were actually doing your body a disservice…

We need to find the source of the inflammation, and treat that, not just high cholesterol.

Another reason: Cholesterol molecules are the building blocks of hormones, so if you are hormone deficient, for example thyroid or adrenal, then your body may be pumping out cholesterol trying to push these pathways, to get more hormones made.  Blocking these pathways with statins will obviously do nothing to address the cause of the high cholesterol, which in this case is a hormone deficiency.

Statin drugs have many common side effects- muscle pain, liver and kidney inflammation, and coQ10 deficiency.

As well it is important to realize that elevated cholesterol is only one of many risk factors for heart disease. A thorough cardiovascular assessment should include at least ten different blood tests. Doing this as a screening assessment would greatly reduce cardiovascular incidence.  This preventative cardiovascular testing will be the topic of a future discussion.

Television viewing time in relation to mortality was examined among 8800 Australian adults who were initially interviewed in 1999–2000. Follow-up for mortality was to the date of death or the 16th November 2006, whichever occurred first. Daily television viewing time was classified into three groups: less than 2 hours, 2 to less than 4 hours, 4 hours and greater. Volunteers reported their television viewing which included time spent watching television or videos in the previous 7 days. This did not include time when the television was switched on but with other activities undertaken concurrently. Over the follow-up period, 285 deaths occurred. The study found the following results:

• Television viewing time was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Each one-hour increment in television viewing time was associated with an 11% and an 18% increased risk of all- cause and CVD mortality, respectively.

• In comparison with those watching less than 2 hours/day of television, there was a 46% increased risk of all-cause mortality and an 80% increased risk of CVD mortality in those watching 4 hours or more per day of television. These results were independent of traditional risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure, blood lipids, diet, leisure-time exercise and waist circumference.

Dunstan DW, Barr EL, Healy GN et al. Circulation 2010; 121(3): 384-391