April 2021 Edition
What’s New
Goose bumps evolved to make our ancestors’ hair stand up, making them appear more threatening to predators.
Toxic Mold Syndrome: Is Your Health at Risk?
Have you seen a news headlines like this one:
“Is Black Mold in the Building Where You Work Making You Sick?”
Perhaps you skimmed past that article because it didn’t sound relevant to you. You may be surprised to learn that mold can make you sick.
In fact, toxic mold syndrome (TMS) is more common than you may think. It’s a source of illness that is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Medically speaking, TMS is an inflammatory illness caused by exposure to indoor molds, their harmful by-products, and other microbial toxins that form in water-damaged buildings. Symptoms of TMS can be exclusively physical or mental/emotional.
Statistics vary by geographic location, but it is estimated that 45% of U.S. homes are affected by persistent dampness and mold. Office buildings, schools, factories and other workplaces and public buildings that have been water-damaged are significant sources of toxigenic mold. And, don’t just look for black mold; toxic mold can be a variety of colors.
Who is Vulnerable to Mold Illness?
The ‘smoking gun’ associated with toxigenic mold are substances called mycotoxins.
For a person to become ill, (that is, have high levels of mold toxins in the body) the exposure to mycotoxins has to be significant. Because each person is genetically unique, it can’t be definitively stated how much exposure will make a given person ill or with which symptoms.
People most vulnerable to TMS are believed to have a genetic predisposition that inhibits their body’s ability to clear toxins. Members of the same family all living in the same house with mold growth rarely all become ill. The person with the genetic vulnerability will show symptoms of illness. Also, the effect of cumulative exposure to mold and exposure to other toxins also can make one vulnerable to developing TMS.
Symptoms of Toxic Mold Syndrome
Before we talk about symptoms of TMS, it’s important to mention that mold allergies and TMS are not the same thing. Mold allergies are a reaction to mold spores that are inhaled and cause hay fever like symptoms. TMS is due to the volatile toxic vapors produced by mold and absorbed by the body. Even though your body has in place several systems of detoxification (liver, sweat glands, elimination of urine and feces), chronic exposure to mycotoxins can overwhelm these pathways, increasing the toxic burden on your body. This causes a chronic inflammatory response (CIRS) that throws additional body systems out of whack.
The symptoms of TMS can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Appetite changes
- Body aches
- Blurred Vision
- Cough
- Confusion/Disorientation
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Joint Pain
- Light Sensitivity
- Night Sweats
- Memory & recall problems
- Metallic taste
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Muscle Cramps
- Numbness
- Red Eyes
- Static Shocks
- Sinus Problems
- Shortness of Breath
- Tremors
- Urination frequency changes
- Vertigo
- Weakness
Types of illnesses that may have toxic mold as the root cause include:
- Anxiety
- Attentional Disorders
- Brain Fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Mast cell activation disorder
- Histamine intolerance
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome and leaky gut
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Lyme Syndrome
Treatment of TMS may begin with testing for mold in the home and then possibly the workplace. This information, along with ruling out other medical possibilities by a holistic health practitioner, can indicate if TMS is the root cause of the symptoms.
Holistic treatment approaches for TMS are highly personalized to the needs of the person. Mycotoxins are lipophilic, which means they readily accumulate in fatty tissue. They are not easily removed unless measures are taken to trigger their release out of the tissue. In general, treatment will include nutrition therapy, a detoxification program using herbs and other nutritional supplements, sauna sessions, and manual therapy such as lymphatic massage.
If you have been feeling unwell and have not determined the root cause of your symptoms, particularly if you live or work in a high-mold area, consult with a holistic practitioner about mold testing and treatments that may be right for you.
Food for Thought. . .
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi
The Extraordinary Health Benefits of Eggs
Throughout the world, eggs are one of the most affordable, versatile, and nutrient dense foods. At times controversial, due to the cholesterol content, eggs are now considered an important part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and other essential nutrients including choline, which the brain and nervous system require for the regulation of mood, memory, and the formation of the membranes that surround the cells.
Consider these specific health benefits that come with including eggs, and egg whites, in your diet:
Brain Health: Eggs are considered a neuroprotective food. They contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the development and functioning of the nervous system and the brain.
Immunity Support: Eggs contain vitamin A, vitamin B-12, and selenium, which are all important to the health of the immune system.
Protein Power: The protein in eggs is a simple form that is important to maintaining and repairing body tissues, including muscle. Egg white and yolk are both rich sources of protein. About 13% of the edible part of an egg is protein.
Healthy Pregnancy: Eggs contain folate, which is a nutrient known to support the development of a baby and protect from potential birth defects. (The synthetic form of folate is folic acid, which is found in vitamins).
Healthy Eyes: Lutein and zeaxanthin are just two of the important nutrients found in eggs that help protect the eyes from macular degeneration.
The Cholesterol Controversy
A medium egg contains about 162 mg of cholesterol. Nutrition science experts had once recommended limiting the intake of eggs (particularly the yolk) for this reason. However, researchers have not identified a definitive link between egg consumption and risk of heart disease. Additionally, consuming eggs raises the body’s level of HDL cholesterol, the type that is protective for the cardiovascular system, while lowering the “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, made sunny side up, used for quiche, souffles and many other types of dishes. They are also a staple ingredient for many types of recipes and most types of baking. Keep in mind that raw, undercooked, or out of date eggs can contain bacteria that enters through pores in the eggshell. Be sure to check the package date and cook eggs thoroughly.
If you have an egg allergy, or do not eat eggs, ask your holistic practitioner to recommend alternatives. There are many egg alternatives on the market, such as JUST Egg or Egg Replacer. Your health practitioner can suggest one that is right for you.
“Eggstraordinary” Allergen-Friendly Mini Quiches
What is so extraordinary about this quiche? For one, it’s allergen friendly. It’s also dairy-free, nut-free, and has the option to use gluten-free crusts. Quiche is also wonderful because you can switch-up the herbs, the type of cheese, and many other ingredients to achieve different flavor profiles. Use this recipe to prepare an eggstraordinary breakfast, snack or brunch item.
Ingredients
- 1 12-oz bottle JUST Egg
- 2 Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausages (or vegan substitute)
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup yellow onion, diced small (or 1 T chopped dried chives)
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
- 1 t dried thyme (or 1 T fresh)
- 1/2 t dried sage
- 1 cup Creamy Original Chao Slices, grated (or your preferred cheese product)
For the Optional Crust
- Phyllo or pie dough (optional; use gluten-free variety if desired)
Preparation
Prep Ingredients
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray.
- Crumble or chop the sausages into small pieces, then brown in a frying pan.
- Grate the cheese.
- Dice the onion (if using) and bell pepper.
Note: See adjusted baking times below for making a full size quiche or for a mini muffin pan.
Make the Crusts (optional)
- If you’d like to include a crust, layer 6 sheets of premade phyllo dough or roll out a basic pie crust to 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Cut the crusts into rounds with a 3 1/2 – 4-inch circle cookie cutter and fit them into the muffin tin, crimping the edges to fit.
- If using phyllo dough, proceed to the next step of the recipe.
- If using basic pie crust, put a paper or foil muffin tin liner on top of each cup of dough and fill the papers with a few pie weights or dried beans.
- Parbake the crusts for 10 minutes, then remove the muffin papers and let them cool briefly before pouring in the quiche mixture.
Prepare the Filling
Combine the crumbled Field Roast sausages, onions, bell pepper, salt, pepper, thyme, sage and 3/4 cup of the shredded Chao cheese in a medium bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
Fill the Muffin Tins
- Fill each muffin cup 1/2 way with the filling mixture.
- Shake the bottle of JUST Egg well, then pour it over the fillings in each muffin cup until just over 3/4 of the way full. It will puff up only slightly when baked.
- Sprinkle the tops evenly with the reserved 1/4 cup of shredded Chao cheese.
Bake Until Set
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until set (no longer liquid in the center) and the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them sit for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the quiches from the muffin tin and serve warm, garnished with chopped walnuts and a sprig of fresh thyme.
Note: If you’d like to make these in a mini muffin pan, reduce the baking time to 18 minutes. If making a full-sized quiche in a pie pan, increase baking time to 45-50 minutes, until the quiche is fully set in the middle; you may want to use a crust protector.
Chlorophyll Supports the Body’s Detox Pathways
The wonderful deep green hues of plants and vegetables comes from a pigment known as chlorophyll. Plants use chlorophyll along with sunlight to obtain nutrients. In many cultures, chlorophyll has been used as a supplement for healthy aging, acne treatment (Isotretinoin), wound healing, and supporting detoxification. In holistic medicine, chlorophyll is recognized for its many protective properties, particularly against the accumulation of pollutants in the body, such as dioxins and PCBs.
Some of the many foods that are abundant in chlorophyll, include but are not limited to:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale
- Herbs such as parsley, nettle, alfalfa
- Green tea leaves
- Wheatgrass
Algae (e.g., chlorella and spirulina) is dense in chlorophyll. Blue-green algae in particular has been used in traditional and holistic medicine to provide foundational nutritional support for organs involved in elimination and detoxification. Chlorophyll seems to promote the excretion of toxins from the body’s essential detox organs and pathways such as the liver and intestines.
Chlorophyll supplements are available in different forms: drops, pills, capsules, powder, juice, or concentrated liquid. Depending upon the form used, research has identified the following health effects of chlorophyll: antioxidant, antiseptic, and antiviral.
Much of the clinical research on chlorophyll is “early stage” and has been done on animals, as well as people who are receiving chemotherapy treatment. It is not known if chlorophyll is safe for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding. It also may not be suitable for people with an autoimmune disorder. If you have concerns about toxicity stemming from unsafe drinking water, occupational exposure, soil, mold or other environmental pollutants, speak to a holistic practitioner about chlorophyll supplementation.
Phosphatidylcholine: Good for Your Cells!
Phosphatidylcholine is a vital component of the cell membrane, giving strength and fluidity to cells. It is a necessary compound in the formation of the nutrient choline. Choline is important for cellular communication, cognition, and other physiological processes. In holistic medicine, phosphatidylcholine is often used for people who need support for memory and learning.
Phosphatidylcholine has an important role in a physiological process known as methylation. Methylation is integral to communication between nerves, assimilation of vitamins, and processes involving DNA and gene regulation. In the body, phosphatidylcholine also acts as a precursor for the formation of two other compounds that are vital to attention, learning, memory, and other cognitive activity:
- Phospholipids protect the cell and help carry nutrients and other substances into cells.
- Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in a variety of types of communication between brain cells as well as communication between nerves and muscles (neuromuscular function).
Some of the health concerns in which phosphatidylcholine may play a protective or preventative role include:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Dementia
- Memory Recall
- Neurological development during pregnancy
Phosphatidylcholine and lecithin (which contains phosphatidylcholine) are sources of choline. They can be taken as pills such as choline bitartrate or choline chloride, or lecithin can be taken as powder or granules.
Choline is found naturally in these foods: liver, oatmeal, egg yolks, soybean, cabbage, cauliflower, meat.
When taking higher doses of several grams a day of choline, some people experience side effects like fishy body odor, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort. These side effects generally do not occur when taking phosphatidylcholine. Speak to your holistic health practitioner to determine if and which form of phosphatidylcholine may best support your health.
Can Nutrient IV Therapy Benefit Me?
You may have heard about Nutrient IV Therapy during this past year, particularly in regard to nutrients that are known to support the immune system. Delivering nutrients via an intravenous line (IV) has long been a crucial part of medical care.
Nutrient IV Therapy is used to deliver vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the bloodstream. This type of treatment is an efficient and immediate solution when someone has acute dehydration, severe illness, organ damage, or a medical illness that alters the normal absorption of nutrients. It is also used when a person cannot eat, has problems with digestion, or has another health problem that results in a nutrient deficiency. The theory is: higher levels of vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream leads to greater uptake by the cells that use the nutrients to support health and fend off illness.
Nature intended us to consume the nutrients we need from food and our bodies are efficiently designed to break down and absorb nutrients appropriately. If we are listening to the body-to our appetite-then we should be able to choose and obtain what we need from our diet to maintain good health. This works effectively as long as serious illness, injury or digestive issues do not interfere with nature’s design.
Keep in mind, several factors affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. These factors include age, metabolic rate, health status, genetics, interactions with other products you consume/use, and the physical and chemical makeup of the food you eat. Holistic practitioners are well trained in looking at the whole picture of a person’s health needs and determining if there is a real need for Nutrient IV Therapy.
When and for Whom?
Some of the many medical conditions that may benefit from this therapy include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Blood disorders
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Hemophilia
- Infectious diseases
- Kidney conditions
- Primary immune deficiencies
- Pre- and post- organ transplant support
- Ulcerative colitis
This therapy is also used to support the body in maintaining optimal health. This can include addressing concerns such as:
- Detox
- Gut health
- Immune support
- Reducing pain and inflammation
- Recovery following prolonged, intense physical training
- Recovery following exposure to extreme heat or cold
In general, this is a safe therapy but the wrong mix or amounts of nutrients can have dangerous, even life-threatening interactions with other medicines or herbs a person is taking. Therefore, it is crucial to receive any type of IV treatment under the supervision of a healthcare professional who has the appropriate medical training.
Guiding Principles
