Liver Rescue

Hello. Wow I can’t believe it has been over a year since my last blog post!

It was my New Year’s resolution to get back on track… better late than never!

Many of you may have seen from my latest Instagram post, or from talking in the office, my latest health journey. The Liver Rescue.

If you are not familiar with Anthony William, aka the “Medical Medium”, maybe you have been noticing a lot of people lately drinking celery juice. Maybe you have seen many people posting their pictures on social media drinking their celery juice. Or maybe you have gone to store and noticed it is nearly impossible to get celery anymore! Well this is the reason why. It is the latest health craze sweeping the country.

I first learned of Anthony William while watching the Documentary “HEAL” on Netflix. If you have not seen it already, I highly recommend you do. It is about people who may have been given a terminal diagnosis and then turned their health around with “radical remissions” and are alive and healthy. I found it to be such a refreshing take on “alternative” therapies because these healers were not telling people to abandon their western medicine practices, ie: oncology. They were actually emphasizing not to. It is about finding something in the “alternative” scope that will work synergistically with your western medicine protocols. I was so inspired by this! This is how I have always felt it should be!

When I first started studying and practicing acupuncture, it was still a little unknown, and lumped in a group called Alternative Medicine. Back then, it really felt the norm that you either choose one way or the other. You had to choose between Western medicine or choose your alternative ways. There was no mixing of the two. I never felt this way. I have always been a practitioner that encourages both. Now, 20+ years later, the term “alternative” is not used and much and now non-traditional practices such as acupuncture, reiki, meditation and such are called “Complimentary” medicine. You really do not have to choose anymore. If you can find something that works for you, it can only enhance your western therapies as well.

With that being said, after watching HEAL, I started to see Anthony Williams pop up everywhere, even on shows like Extra! I started to follow him on Instagram. And before you know it, all I saw were people posting their celery juice! I wonder how many people, especially here in LA, are doing the juice, but don’t really know why. Because it is the latest trend maybe? Well my curiosity got the best of me, so I ordered the book.

I want to be informed when starting a new health journey, as should anybody. I devoured the book, and yes I am fan! In Chinese Medicine, the liver is a very important organ. It stores the blood, maintains the smooth flow of Qi, controls the tendons and sinews, opens in the eyes, manifests on the nails and houses the hun (ethereal soul). It is the chief organ of all emotions but is strongly affected by stress and anger. If this sounds confusing, this is Chinese Medicine lingo. Moving on, the more I read the book, the more I got excited to try the celery juice program.

I should also mention my reasons for wanting to try this. More of which I will discuss in future blogs. In short, I have genetically high cholesterol (315 was my highest level) and I also suffer from eczema. My doctors put me on Lipitor, to which I experienced awful side effects. I currently am not taking any statins, and am looking for a way to lower my numbers. I do not want the long term use of statins to ruin my liver… isn’t that ironic? LOL… My eczema is not severe, just annoying. But eczema and psoriasis are two things that are supposed get healed through this process.

I thought it was important to document my journey. It is important to share knowledge and experiences. But it is also important not jump on the latest band wagon without educating yourself first.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned! In the meantime, check out this link:

https://www.medicalmedium.com/

Feel free to comment or send me any questions you may have:

antonio@bodyandsoulacupuncture.com

Antonio

Health Benefits of Horseradish... yes, Horseradish!

Looking at this picture, many people may not ever realize that this is horseradish in its natural state! Yes, horseradish is a root, similar to tumeric and ginger. It is a root vegetable that is part of the Brassicaceae family which also includes wasabi, mustard, broccoli and cabbage. It is a powerful and pungent plant which also has many health benefits. This is why it is a key ingredient in my Fire Cider. The powerful aroma that affects our sinuses is why horseradish is more commonly used as a condiment, rather than as a vegetable itself. Here are some of the many health benefits:

1. Boosts Immunity. Horseradish is filled with nutrients, phytochemicals and Vitamin C. Together these have antioxidant properties that stimulate white blood cell production, our body's main line of defense.
2. Improves Respiratory Conditions: This may come as no surprise. Similar to wasabi, horseradish has a strong pungent odor that can make our eyes water and clear the sinuses. Just taking a strong sniff of the horseradish root can help to clear the mucous secretions in the sinus and respiratory tract due to colds and alleries.
3. Antibacterial: Horseradish can be great to help fight microbes and bacterial infections.

Other health benefits include: Weight loss/metabolism, Lowers Blood Pressure, and Improves Digestion.

The easiest way to prepare horseradish is to peel away the brown skin of the root and shred the white part to add to food and makes a great infusion with vodka if you like a spicy bloody mary. Enjoy!

Cold and Flu Season: When to see a doctor

This flu season has proven to one of the worst we have seen in quite some time. Hospitals have set up tent triage units just to accommodate the number of people affected by the virus this year. Almost every single one of my patents has come in and been affected by sickness this season. Whether it be cold and sinus or the flu. 

I usually pride myself on being able to stay healthy. I have a everything at my fingertips to fight sickness when it strikes me. But then it happened to me. I got sick this season. Shortly after Christmas I caught the cold. I never had a cough, but it attacked my sinuses. I could not breathe for days. Everything under my power, which normally works for me, did not seem to help me this time around. I took my Wellness Formula, which is my #1 one go to when feeling sick,  did not work. I made Elderberry syrup, did not help. I drank my homemade Fire Cider like water, did not help. The neti pot only gave me temporary relief. I sprayed colloidal silver in my sinuses, only temporary relief. 

After a few days, I began to feel better. I started to notice that I could not stop blowing my nose. After a few more days and started waking with sinus pain and pressure on my left side. I finally called my doctor. Then got me in that same day and I was given antibiotics for a sinus infection. I have never had a sinus infection in my life! I am happy to say, I am finally out of the woods, but all in all I was not 100% for about two weeks.

As much as we try to stay healthy and use natural remedies to fight off sickness and stay well, we must also be aware of when it is time to go to the doctor or even the ER.  We have to remind ourselves that it is ok. It is ok to seek medical attention when your holistic ways just are not enough. It is ok to take antibiotics or prescription medications when needed. In these instances, don't stop taking your herbs. Don't stop doing whatever natural healing it is that you choose for yourself. In these instances, your holistic approach becomes complimentary to western medicine. Your results will be that much quicker.

Herb- Drug Interactions

One of the most common misconceptions about herbs and supplements is the thought: "These are all natural, so I can take what I want and how much I want." This is definitely not the case. I have always told my patients, you can probably do more damage with herbs than you can with acupuncture. Herbs are a powerful medicine and it is important to always inform your provider what medications you are taking. One of the most common interactions is that of Chinese herbs affecting a patient taking blood thinners. Many herbs can enhance or inhibit the actions of these drugs.

More and more research is showing how supplements are interfering with cancer drugs and chemotherapy. As in the video link below, Shelly started loading up on "Immune Enhancing" supplements while undergoing cancer treatment. She was even taking up to 60 pills per day! This actually had a counter affect and made her white blood cell level drop, causing her to delay her chemotherapy treatments for weeks.

All in all, most herbs and supplements are safe to take. You should always tell your healthcare provider what prescription drugs as well as what herbs and supplements you are taking.

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/some-supplements-can-interfere-with-prescription-medicine-study-finds-647771715888