DO YOU HAVE ACCURATE HEALTH AWARENESS OR ARE YOU FOLLOWING MISINFORMATION?
How Aware Are You?
Are there toxins in food? Is protein, with its added toxins, healthy? Isn’t too much protein hard on your kidneys? Can I eat sun-dried tomatoes? Is marijuana good for me? Smoking pot occasionally is okay, isn’t it? Why would reverse osmosis water be bad? Can I just put some lemon juice in my water, let it sit in a plastic container in the sun for a couple of hours, and then drink it? Would doing this be good for me? Why should I eat protein every two hours?
These are the kinds of questions I get from my patients every day. The body is specific. George Goodheart, the founder of Applied Kinesiology, used to say, “The body is intricately simple and simply intricate.” Dr. Goodheart was truly a genius—also humble and down-to-earth. Small changes in lifestyle, diet, and environment can have a HUGE impact on a person’s health.
Would you mind if I shared some general facts about diet, nutrition, toxicity, and the environment? Thank you. Here are a few facts below:
- Before World War II, it is believed that people were exposed to fewer than 10 or 20 man-made chemicals daily. Post-World War II, many things changed. The chemicals used to preserve food for the troops were unleashed on the American public. We see the disastrous effects of this today. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and depression are among the leading causes of death today and have been for over 10 years. These diseases were almost unheard of before 1900.
- Americans are now exposed to more than 10,000 man-made chemicals daily, according to the general consensus among scientists.
- There is no longer any pure, clean water on earth due to pollution, atomic bomb testing, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, emulsifiers, stabilizers, colorings, additives, plastics, industry, drugs, etc. However, some waters are better than others. Most rainwater in many states is relatively safe, as well as spring water from certain springs. Ozonation is a relatively safe way to purify water, meaning that the water does not become less drinkable after ozonation. However, reverse osmosis breaks down the hydrogen bonds in water, rendering it essentially nucleated. I’ve never had a patient respond well to water that’s gone through reverse osmosis.
- Water filters, regardless of quality, only filter water. They may reduce the number of chemicals and contaminants, but they do not eliminate all of them. So, ask yourself: “Would I rather have some toxic chemicals in my water or none?” Let me give you an example. Let’s say there’s a small amount of cyanide (a deadly poison) in the water, and we filter out 90%. While 90% less cyanide remains, there’s still 10% left. The question becomes: “Do I want to get sick and die slowly over 15 years, or live to a ripe old age, thinking clearly and functioning well?” Even small amounts of poison in your water can harm you over time. You can read more about ideal water types in my Health Tips newsletter, available at www.triadofhealth.net.
- Many people unknowingly expose themselves to cancer-causing chemicals daily. Check the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner. Often, you’ll find chemicals like paraben, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, sodium lauryl sulfate, and other dyes and colorings, all known carcinogens. Avoid exposure to these harmful chemicals whenever possible.
- Perfumes, deodorants, and colognes are also troublemakers. Most of these products contain deadly toxins. It’s better to steer clear when you smell them. There are good, safe deodorants on the market, though they’re rare. The same goes for essential oils—most aren’t safe. Many people wonder why they get headaches or easily gain weight. One reason is that their liver, which metabolizes fat, becomes toxic due to these chemicals.
- More than 66% of the population is overweight, and most of them are obese. The average life span in the U.S. has decreased by 10 years compared to 45 years ago due to obesity alone. Wow.
- The U.S. ranks 60th or 61st in healthcare quality, according to the World Health Organization. This means that at least 59 other countries have better healthcare, including some third-world countries with poor running water and sanitation. Wow.
- The U.S. also has one of the highest stillbirth rates compared to other countries, meaning more babies are born dead in the U.S. than in 58 to 60 other nations.
- The leading cause of death in the U.S. is Western medicine itself—hospital errors, drug interactions, and medical mistakes result in more deaths than any other cause. Car accidents come second.
- Wheat can cause skin disease, asthma, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and many other health problems. This is not my opinion; it’s a fact. If you’re interested, check out the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
- Dairy contains casomorphins, the same chemicals found in opium, making dairy addictive. When I was a boy, my parents gave me a glass of milk before bed, and now I know why—it was like a dose of morphine!
- Corn causes dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, and other issues. Check out the documentary King Corn online. Thanks to Monsanto, there’s no longer any “organic” corn on the planet. High fructose corn syrup, a common corn byproduct, kills nerve cells on contact and destroys the brain.
- Muscle testing is standard practice among orthopedic surgeons because it works.
- Mold, yeast, and fungus are not harmless. These toxins can cause severe illness. I’ve had patients with asthma, psoriasis, and even amputations due to fungal infections.
- The wrong kind of mousse, hairspray, or hair gel can harm your health.
- Many nail polishes and removers contain toluene, a toxic chemical known to cause brain damage. Toluene is also found in deodorants, skincare products, and even water!
- You can drink over a gallon of water a day and still be dehydrated. The type of water you drink matters.
- Juice fasts and other fasts may not be good for your health due to blood sugar changes and other negative effects. This can help in some cases, but not for everyone.
- All antidepressants, especially SSRIs, cause brain damage by shrinking the brain.
- The use of antidepressants in the U.S. has nearly doubled in less than 10 years, according to the CDC.
- 50% of Americans use one or more prescription medications, and 75% of people over 70 are on multiple medications.
Let’s answer some of the questions raised at the beginning of this article:
- Question: Is protein healthy?
Answer: Protein is neither healthy nor unhealthy. Protein is necessary. The word “protein” comes from the Latin word “Proteus,” meaning “of utmost importance” or “most important.” It may be surprising to hear this in California, the land of fruits, nuts, and veggies, but good health is impossible without an adequate source of protein. This is a scientific fact—not my personal opinion or something I made up because it sounds good. Protein is a vital part of human nutrition, and your body requires an adequate source regularly.
Our distant ancestors from Georgia, Russia had large fangs and small brains. They predominantly ate protein and were nomads, meaning they constantly traveled, so they couldn’t eat many fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Instead, they mainly hunted animals for food. This was the norm for most of our existence on Earth for millions of years. Archaeologists and scientists believe that the large intake of protein and fat allowed humans to develop larger brains. This makes sense, especially considering the brain is made primarily of cholesterol and fat. Animal flesh contains a lot of cholesterol, and fat is the best energy source of all food types. Humans burning fat get twice as much energy as they do from sugar and nearly twice as much as from protein.
When it comes to protein, you often get what you pay for. Cheap protein from a diseased, caged cow won’t make you healthy. Quality protein from a grass-fed cow, raised organically and allowed to roam free, can contribute greatly to your health. Fish is an excellent source of protein—among the best. Things that fly, swim, and walk on the ground are all good protein sources.
- Question: Isn’t too much protein hard on your kidneys?
Answer: No, too much protein is not hard on your kidneys. However, it can stress your digestive tract and colon. Additionally, most Americans don’t have good stomach function, so consuming large amounts of protein can strain their stomachs. Protein is digested in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine.
Concerns about protein often involve dietary ketosis. For a while, there was a belief that eating only vegetables and meat (protein) would cause ketosis. However, consuming large amounts of green leafy vegetables with animal protein does not cause ketosis. A high-protein diet like our ancestors had doesn’t cause ketosis or calcium to be leached from bones, nor does it harm the kidneys. In fact, animal protein contains high levels of bioavailable calcium, often resulting in excess calcium being excreted in urine. Additionally, the vitamins D, K, and A found in animal fat and protein are essential for kidney health. How could the very thing that allowed humans to evolve be harmful to them? It wouldn’t make sense.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there, leading people to believe that excess protein is harmful to the kidneys, but the science doesn’t support this. Research from The American Journal of Kidney Disease (1996) concluded that increased protein intake was associated with a reduced likelihood of renal failure. Studies in The New England Journal of Medicine (1994) found that patients with kidney disease benefited from reasonable amounts of protein, while restricting protein didn’t help. Similar studies on children with chronic renal failure found no benefit in restricting protein.
Some studies suggest otherwise, but many of these used soy protein, which depletes the body of minerals and causes hormonal imbalances. There are very few studies that examine the effects of a balanced diet rich in fish, meat, and green leafy vegetables with adequate protein intake on kidney health. It’s worth noting that folic acid, found abundantly in green leafy vegetables, is vital for kidney health.
Increased protein intake may cause calcium loss in urine for some people, but the calcium is likely coming from the animal protein itself, not from bones. Many studies that show negative effects used soy protein, which is known to deplete minerals.
- Question: Is pot (marijuana) good for me? Smoking pot occasionally is okay, isn’t it?
Answer: Pot is not a health food. It severely stresses your adrenal glands (your stress glands) by causing blood sugar imbalances. This is why you get the “munchies” when you’re stoned. Pot helps you escape from the world rather than engage with it. It’s better not to smoke pot—sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
- Question: Can I put lemon juice in my water, leave it in a plastic container in the sun, and then drink it? Would this be good for me?
Answer: If the lemon is fresh, it’s okay. However, lemon only stays fresh for about 45 minutes before the hydrogen bonds dissociate. Fresh lemon becomes alkaline when consumed, despite its acidity. If the lemon sits for too long, it turns acidic, which can dehydrate rather than hydrate you.
I don’t recommend drinking from plastic containers. Plastic is not natural and often contains xenoestrogens, chemicals that mimic hormones and disrupt your body’s hormonal balance. The warmer and older the plastic, the more chemicals dissolve into your water. It’s best to drink from glass, with stainless steel as a second option.
- Question: Why should I eat protein every two hours?
Answer: Not everyone needs to eat protein every two hours. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health care. However, if you do need to eat protein that frequently, it’s probably to stabilize your blood sugar. Over 60% of the population is hypoglycemic (Food and Behavior, Barbara Stitt), and diabetes is among the top causes of death in the U.S. With these facts in mind, stabilizing your blood sugar may be beneficial.
These are just a few tidbits of information that many people are unaware of. From the 1920s through the late 1950s, the medical establishment was excellent at diagnosing and treating conditions. However, things have changed, and medicine has become big business. Hospital births that used to take eight hours now take less than one. Headaches that used to require aspirin or medication now sometimes need surgery.
The medical establishment often treats symptoms rather than causes. While addressing symptoms can be important, people no longer think holistically about their health. Many Americans view chronic knee pain as a reason for surgery, even though there are often other solutions. I’ve had patients who were planning on surgery but changed their minds after consulting with me.
With so much misinformation, fads, and hype, it’s hard to know where to turn for reliable health advice. When I was searching for a great chiropractor, I had to visit several before finding one I was happy with, and I was a chiropractic student! You’d think a student would have better access to healthcare, right? Not necessarily.
Many Americans believe that nutritional deficiencies are due to a lack of nutrients, but more often, they result from metabolic imbalances. These imbalances cause trouble with digestion and absorption, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said, “The highest good is to find the cause.” Rather than just diagnosing diseases, it’s essential to diagnose the cause of the disease and treat it. At Triad of Health Family Healing Center, we treat all causes—structural, chemical, emotional, electromagnetic, toxic, and spiritual. This holistic approach is why we get such phenomenal results in clinical practice. Call us at (415) 459-4313 to schedule an exam today. Mention this blog post to see if we have any specials for you!
