Dr. Gina’s New Organic Vegan Smoothie Recipe

March 17, 2009

I’d like to share a new recipe with you that I have come up with that offers all around immune, digestive, antioxidant, and detoxification support. This is my new morning smoothie regimen. And it takes about 1 minute to make!

Here it is:

  • 2 scoops of Intestinal RejuvenX
  • 1 heaping tablespoon LTP Green Light
  • 1 heaping tablespoon LTP Organic Reds
  • 1/2 – 1 cups frozen fruit (banana, blueberries, etc.)
  • ice and cold water

Blend together to desired consistency and enjoy!

*** You can call the office to order any of these products as they are all stocked in our medicinary. Just mention you’d like the “new smoothie” products.

In joy, and in health,

Dr. Gina


Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Teen Health Challenges

March 16, 2009

A new study done at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals even more data on the association between Vitamin D deficiency and health. In this case, researchers studied approximately 3,600 boys and girls ages 12 to 19 who took part in a government health survey from 2001 to 2004.

The teenage boys and girls with the lowest levels of Vitamin D in their blood were twice as likely to develop high blood pressure and high blood sugar.  Even more alarming, the teens with the lowest levels of Vitamin D in their blood were four times as likely to develop metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by a triad of conditions, namely high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels and high cholesterol, that are associated with diabetes and heart disease.  Metabolic syndrome patients also tend to store fat around their midsection.  This condition is closely related to stress and Sickness Syndrome.   Most of the patients that I treat for Sickness Syndrome Depression and stress-related illness inevitably have low levels of vitamin D in their blood.  This makes sense given that a key source for vitamin D is exposure to the sun, and lack of exposure to the sun will, in many people, lead to depression and inflammation.

In our office, we test the blood for Vitamin D3, which is the active form of the vitamin.  And oftentimes if a patient has inflammation, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or Sickness Syndrome, then Vitamin D3 testing and treatment becomes part of their path to optimal health.

If this is a topic of interest to you, please read previous posts on vitamin D3.

In health,

Dr. Gina


Can Breast Cancer Go Away on its Own? Does Mammography Contribute to Breast Cancer Risk? Where is the Balance Point?

December 8, 2008

mamogramA compelling new research study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine this week confirms what some physicians have suspected and seen in their practice for years – breast cancer and other invasive cancers, can in some cases, heal on their own without intervention. The study also raises suspicion regarding the safety of annual mammograms and whether they contribute to the increased incidence of breast cancer.

The study compared two groups of women ages 50 to 64 in two consecutive six-year periods. One group of 109,784 women were followed from 1992 to 1997. Nearly all the women in this group received mammography testing for one year only, from 1996 to 1997.

The second group included approximately 119,472 women that were followed from 1996 to 2001 and nearly all women received regular, routine mammography screening during that period.

Interestingly, the women who had regular routine mammography screenings had 22 percent more cancers. For every 100,000 women who were screened regularly, 1,909 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over six years, compared with 1,564 women who did not have regular screenings.

The researchers have concluded that the most likely explanation for this discrepancy is that the cancers in the women who did not get regular mammography screenings spontaneously disappeared so that they had cancer at one point and later they no longer had the cancer.

Another theory, currently being discredited but worth mentioning and further exploration, is that the routine mammography may have contributed to the increased incidence of invasive breast cancers that were diagnosed.

Nature provides many options to assist the body in remaining balanced, even when exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in our environment, including xenoestrogens.  In the future detoxification, hormone balance and limiting exposure to toxins whenever possible, will be a necessity rather then a luxury.  To learn more about the connection between toxins, cancer and what you can do to safeguard your health, click here.

To learn more about the research supporting the use of detoxification as a way to prevent and treat health conditions click here.

A general recommendation for my patients is they undergo a comprehensive 21 day systemic cleanse twice per year, and support detoxification daily between cleanses.

In light of this new research, we must begin to ask the question, are we over-diagnosing and over-treating cancer? Does the pendulum need to swing toward a more balanced place where we begin to demonstrate true integration of natural health care and prevention coupled with conventional diagnoses and treatment for cancer.

In the spirit of providing change in the lives of those who seek health & balance,

Dr. G


Is the Flu Shot Necessary & Should it be Required?

December 2, 2008

vaccine_vialI received an interesting email from a woman concerned about the flu vaccine who is being required to receive the vaccine at her workplace. I am including the email in its entirety here:

“I work for an employer that requires all employees to receive the flu vaccine or flu mist. I have never had one, am very healthy, and try to use natural remedies instead of drugs. Both the shot and mist concern me – side effects and the unknown. I would prefer not to take the risk at all, but am required to if I want to stay employed. I work at a Medical center and they consider it a good marketing tool to claim all their employees receive the flu shot. What would be the best of the 2 (flu shot or mist)? If I take the flu mist – can I somehow rid myself of it afterwards – with a nasal wash of some kind? Thank you”

It is alarming that anyone would be required to receive a flu vaccine in order to maintain a job.  The flu vaccine does not protect against all strains of the flu virus, and there are other ways to support the immune system during the cold and flu season, that do not have potential side effects that are part and parcel with receiving vaccinations. There is mounting evidence that the flu vaccine is simply not an intelligent option for protecting you during the cold and flu season.

Some of the most valuable tools I use in practice to support immune function are:

Vitamin D3 (after testing blood levels of Vitamin D3)

Allimed

Oregacillin

LTP Probiotic Blend

Echincaea Goldenseal Supreme

Whole Body Defense

ITI Greens mixed with LTP Green Light

and Coconut Milk Powder

When you click on the above links, you will be taken to more information for you to read about the benefits specific for each of these recommendations.

Please feel free to chime in on your personal thoughts and concerns regarding the flu vaccine.

In health,

Dr. G


A Quality Naturopathic Infant Formula

November 18, 2008

When it comes to feeding a newborn, few will argue that breast milk is best.  However, there are times when this is not possible or not indicated.  There are also higher levels of toxic chemicals in breast milk, and the impact of these toxic chemicals on the development of a breast-fed child is unknown.  Chemicals such as the organochlorine pesticide DDT, dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzfurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls all accumulate in breast milk. Mothers can limit exposure of these chemicals to their nursing baby by avoiding dry cleaners and not wearing clothes that are dry cleaned,  and limiting their intake of red meat, dairy (such as yogurt, cow’s milk and cheese), and fish, and eating a diet rich in organic fresh fruits and vegetables and safer proteins like tempeh, turkey and organic chicken and eggs.

Following is a naturopathic infant formula recipe that I use with my patients, particularly those that are currently formula fed and are presenting with digestive and skin-related conditions. Simply switching to this formula oftentimes resolves colic and skin rashes of unknown origin.

In the spirit of providing change for our children’s lives,

Dr. Gistock_000003158746small

***LTP Natural Medical Center’s Infant Goats Milk Formula using MEYENBERG Instant POWDERED GOAT MILK***
6 Scoops Powdered Goat Milk (84 grams)
36 oz Water
6.5 Tbs. Rice Syrup
1 capsule of LTP Probiotic Blend
1 tablespoon of Coconut Milk Powder

As baby matures during its first year, gradually increase goat milk powder to 8 scoops. Discontinue adding rice syrup (carbohydrates).

***Supplement with ChildLife Essential’s Liquid Multi Vitamin Mineral Supplement (or another high quality infant liquid multivitamin mineral supplement with vitamin D3).

Dosage Schedule:

  • Up to 6 months of age: ½ teaspoon per day
  • Up to 1 year of age: 1 teaspoon per day
  • Ages 1 to 4 years: 1-2 teaspoons per day
  • Ages 4 to 12 years: 2-3 teaspoons per day

Copyright 2008. Dr. Gina L. Nick. All rights reserved.