Dr.Fred

Healing protocol: Natures help for trauma and injury

2011-12-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

So, as stated in my previous post I am on a mission (a man on a mission…a Muppet man…anybody?)

......to recover and return to greatness following a holistic pathway. Did I just call myself great? I did….going on. My main recovery faces two main challenges: Anesthesia which was administered to place my body in a medically induced coma for a few hours and can stay in the body for up to three weeks and makes you really F…ing tired…even after a double espresso. And number two is the 12” incision, which runs vertically from my belly button to sternum. Separating the facial tissue in the abdomen and limiting any core strength. While quite painful, I have decided to forego the doctor recommended Vicatin dose of 200mg every 4/6 hours, as it dulls the senses and slows healing. Yes, the pain is there and constant, however I’d rather feel connected with my body and be able to sense changes as they come about…and…I’m clearly a badass (Rhhhhaaaahhhhh!!!!!) Truth be told I am in a good deal of pain, but it’s not acute (i.e. no stabbing/ shooting…just dull)! A note about inflammation…….Remember that inflammation is not always a bad thing. In fact, inflammation is your body's way of bringing blood and nutrients to the area that needs healing. Conventional doctors tend to take the view that all inflammation is bad, but that's an outmoded, limited view of the body's adaptive response to trauma.

Anytime the body goes through trauma there are a few things, which can help you recover faster. Sleep, Good food, and the mind are my top three. So…we all know I eat well and I’ve never had to work hard for a good nights sleep so I thought I would discuss a list of supplements which I will be using over the next six weeks to move things along. At the end of the day I really feel food is the best medicine. And, while a few of my supplements are in this category, these unorthodox conditions require me to look outside the box. Here we go…

Vitamin C is a cheap simple no-brainer. Any kind of trauma, including surgery, can deplete your vitamin C stores. After surgery, blood levels of vitamin C drop rapidly and a vitamin C deficiency makes wounds heal slower. Many studies have shown that vitamin C is essential for the body to produce wound-healing collagen, which provides the basic structure for many tissues, including skin, bone and blood vessels. Of course the source matters and I will be pulling a majority of my C from the royal Camu…(cough) a real food. J Also known as Royal Camu or CAMU-CAMU… this berry has more Vitamin C than any other known botanical. The highest quality camu-camu contains 30 to 60 times more Vitamin C than an orange, plus bioflavanoids, and a combination of phytonutrients unique to the camu-camu fruit. It also contains the amino acids, serine, valine, and leucine, as well as small amounts of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. I will be shooting for around 3 to 5 grams a day and plan to build up slowly, as took much vitamin C can cause bowl issues…(liquid pooping). For more on Camu-Camu…google it. J amazon usually has it for a decent prince. Just kidding…here is a link: http://www.wholeworldbotanicals.com/info_royalcamu

Sun Chlorella: (Also a food) Japanese studies have found Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) to be especially effective in speeding up cell growth, a major factor in the natural repair of wounds. A natural algae, this product is the oceans answer to wheat grass…. (packed full of Chlorophyll). Various other studies reveal CGF helps heal ulcers and promote bone and muscle growth. When taken internally, it also acts as an immune-booster. Topically, it functions as a protective cleansing compound for skin. I also think this will be helpful in cleaning out any remaining painkillers or system depressants used during surgery. This Powerful algae is know for it’s cleansing properties and ability to pull toxins out of the bodies fat where they can lay hidden in for years.

I have taken this product on and off for a long time …I was happy to see it placed in IRON MAN 2. Anybody remember Tony Stark constantly drinking the green liquid to stop the poisoning of his body from heavy metals leeching from the ARC reactor???….not so off the mark. Studies at the School of Medicine, West Virginia University, demonstrated that chlorella has the potential to help remove poisoning of chlorinated hydrocarbons (a major toxic pollutant found in pesticides and herbicides), dioxin, and PCB’s. In other studies, chlorella was equally effective in eliminating heavy metals such as mercury, and cadmium.

• Zinc: Best taken prior to surgery, zinc reduces wound healing time, rapidly reduces wound size, and bolsters immune function to help ward off infection. Clinical studies have cut healing times in half with 220 to 300 mg of Zinc a day. Just be sure to beef up on your other trace minerals as it can inhibit copper and magnesium stores.

-Whey Chocolate Isolate or Sun Warrior Protein: Surgery places great metabolic stress on the body. A post-surgical patient requires more protein than a normal person because of the increased metabolic activity of wound healing and stress induced acute phase protein production. In addition, extra protein is required to repair injured muscle tissue and replace the skeletal muscle tissue that is being catabolised for strengthening the immune system and supporting vital organ function. Post-surgical patients tend to exhibit accelerated protein turnover and synthesis, but the increased rates seem to be inadequate to support required amino acid levels. Both these proteins have a full amino acid profile and digest quite well in my body. Also mixed with an array of green veggies and fruit and you can get almost 40 meals out of one bag for a fraction of the price of eating out. A true concern when you’re not able to work.

BCAA with Glutamine: This combo is a two-fold punch. Again when the body is in a state of stress or repair it needs help. When your body goes through a surgical procedure it’s not so different from having a really INTENSE MUSCLE TEARING WORKOUT…TIMES 100. Your body is in a constant state of repair over the next month or more, so it stands to reason your bodily system will be looking for building blocks to help fix the damage. Enter BCAA and glutamine. From numerous studies it is clear that BCAA's have a significant role in increasing overall conditioning factors such as aerobic and anaerobic capacities, by improving physiological markers such as: red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, fasting glucose levels, a decrease in creatine phophokinase, increased glycogenesis, and even rapid alleviation of muscle inflammation.

I opted for the glutamine combo because it is the major nutrient used to repair intestional damage…and since mine was cut up like a holiday snowflake,

I figured that was good idea. It is also not uncommon for hospitals to throw some in your I.V. post surgery…..at least they are getting that right.* p.s. this is also a pre-digested food……

Custom Probiotics: There is only one brand I role with when it comes to intestinal health. The best by bacterial count and price =www.customprobiotics.com. Whenever you have surgery this is probably the highest rated supplement to consider taking after opening up the insides. I am a health nut…and if there were one product I would not do without it’s this one. Their CP-1 formula weighs in at a whopping 70 billion per bacteria strain per pill!!!!!! Try and find anything close to that in a store or for their price! (Can. not do. It. J) A 2009 review of clinical studies published in "Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery" found that the use of probiotics significantly reduced cases of bacterial infection in patients who had undergone high-risk surgical procedures. This news is particularly significant in light of the difficulty hospitals face in dealing with dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In 2009, the "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" concluded that the postoperative use of probiotics might decrease post-surgical death rates, shorten hospital stays and reduce the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

So there you have it. Today I feel ok. I've graduated to tape instead of staples..:-) It’s been a hell of a week for my ego…. negotiating how you get up off the couch or navigate down a subway platform as opposed to attending a tap audition for a Broadway show or teaching someone how to swing a kettle bell. But such is my present situation and such is life. I am committed to be present and enjoying this unique place where I am. We are only here for this moment. Embrace it.

A weekend in the E.R.......

2011-12-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

“Here I go again on my own, going down the only road I’ve ever know…..Here I go again” in my current situation, this song rocks a great background track for my hospital video. It’s just not finished yet…..so I’m writing…..(wha wha) So here we go….long story really, really short….but still kinda long….

Wednesday was a busy morning: rehearsal for a symphony concert, a client at mid city, my own training day…….intestinal obstruction? (Keep reading). Apparently 15 minutes after an amazing lunch, I would soon be feeling like someone placed a screw driver into my upper abdomen and twisted it….driving a steel rod into the back plate of my shoulder. Instantly I could not stand, I could not walk upright and I was shallow breathing. Scared as I was at this moment, I stumbled my way home on the A train and crawled into bed. Buckled over in pain I waited and waited for this scenario to cease and the tension to ease. It did not. The tension was never eased. Sadly.

In the morning I knew the E.R. was a strong possibility, and with the help of my roommate Katrina, I was dropped off there and walked quite well at the time right in the front doors. Triage took me to the inner-workings of the hospital to find no rooms available…just a bed in a hallway. Three hours later, I saw a doctor. Clutching my stomach I assured him what was wrong: “I had a Reto-Paritenial Lymph Node Dissection to treat advanced testicular cancer 5 years ago. I know my intestine has scar tissue, it’s twisted …..I need an I.V. to re-hydrate and I will be fine. This HAS happened before. In 8 hours….and you can send me home.” Well, I was half right. The doctor agreed with my diagnosis and I was plugged with an I.V. containing saline drip, given some Zofran for nausea and Toradol for pain. I started to feel better instantly……I was walking, calling friends, I told a joke, I flirted with a cute E.R nurse…. I was on the road to recovery! I even had some great friends visit…Leo Ash Evens and Leah Landow. Both saints, they agreed to see me through till I got a room. (This is where it got hairy…..I mean Italian uncle wolfman back hair hairy!)

Once I was done with my I.V. fluids I began to get sick….Really sick. I started vomiting. The vomiting turned to shaking convulsions and cold sweats where I could not even stand. I could not lie down. It was like being caught in a mouse trap, with the clamp fixed tight on my belly. There was no place I could find comfort or relief from this pain. I felt retarded in front of both my friends as I can only imagine what I looked like getting up and down, rocking, puking and moaning…(dramatic?) The doctors ordered an NG tube down my nose into my stomach which would drain excess bile and stomach fluid to stop the upset stomach. This process included having a half inch tube snaked down my throat (while I am already violently sick) through a hand full of lidocaine jelly pre-inserted into my nasal cavity. (So basically pure Disney fun.) IV pushes of Morphine, Toradol, zofran….nothing could keep up with the pain.

In the morning, after no real sleep, I awoke to at least a bearable sense of calm functionality. A team of doctors came in for their morning rounds…..they looked at me…I felt ok……they believed that additional fluids and a few days may do the trick and I would get better. They and I were wrong. Within ten minutes of everyone walking out of the room I was sidelined again with an even higher level extreme pain. This time I decided it was appropriate to scream and snort. That’s all I could do to remain sane. My friend Leah and roommate Kat arrived to find me in a much deteriorated state and tried to do what they could….held my hand, placed damp washcloths over my face, foot rubs (yes, they are that cool)…yet nothing was helping. I waited for what seemed like an eternity for stronger medicine. Finally a nurse came in with one shot of Dilaudid ( a powerful opiate drug), then two, then three….. at it’s best…… only calming me for 15 minutes.

As I waited for my body to simply right itself, a surgeon walked into my room. His words: “Frederick, you should not be in this much pain for a simple twist of the intestine, we are taking you to the O.R. we are going to open you up and do an exploratory surgery so we can find the blockage, take it out and get this pain level down. I also must tell you the risks with this type of surgery; we may take out a little, we may take out A LOT….but we need to do what we have to, to fix this situation. There is a risk of bleeding, infection, and you may wake up with a temporary colostomy bag (great for dance calls)….please sign here.” I waited two beats and signed….scary as it was I was in too much pain to do anything else. I also knew if my intestine ruptured I would be in much bigger trouble than what I was presently faced with.

Summing it all up: The surgery could not have gone better. I had a band of scar tissue from my prior surgery which had cut off all blood flow to the lower intestine. The amazing DR. Simone went in with a camera…saw the problem…reopened an old incision on my stomach and took out a foot of dead intestine…..sewed it back up (well stapled) and placed me on the road to recovery. How did I know she was amazing? On our meeting in pre-op I asked her to rate herself out of 100. She said 120. I was sold.

Fun Facts from the doctor: You never would have had 5 years of good health without the diet and lifestyle you live. This could have been worse and you could have had much more scar tissue developed than you do. J

I had for the second time in my life the amazing support of the theater community and friends. I had true friends waiting for me when I awoke from the O.R. I had both parents drive from their perspective homes to be by my side at the end of my surgery. I had my mom sleeping beside me as my advocate for better care and own personal nurse. I had some of the very best people in the world visit me while I looked like death…way up on 168^th street. I had made a majority of these decisions for myself, concerning health care, on my own. And all this, even though dealing with sickness, felt very empowering.

In conclusion: It’s always funny to me how people will write and say, “Oh, I’m so sorry”…or “I wish this hadn’t happened to you.” I view this health issue as any other growing experience and would not trade it for the world. I know this will unfold as nothing less than a gift. This happened “FOR” me not “TO” me. And for anyone to deny me that growth is a disservice. The universe…(lol deep) is unfolding exactly as it should and while I don’t have a why for you at this moment, I know I will in the coming months and years…exactly as I did with my experience with cancer. I learned a great deal about myself. I learned another level of pain I could endure. I learned again the value of good family and friends. And in the coming months I will learn the value of patience and what it means to GO slow.

( Day Two out of the Hospital....17 staples......what i like to call a cat scratch )

To all those who called, facebooked, stopped by, and sent me good vibes and said prayers over the past week. Thank you. I am here for a reason, I think that is clear. Thank you for your love. Life is short. Make a choice and be bold.  

Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

-Herbert Spencer

Warrior Dish of the Week

2011-08-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

Atlantic Cod with Green Garden Mix

Interesting in fueling like a Warrior? Well you my friend....are in luck because over the next few months I'll be posting dishes I've created that are nutritionally balanced, environmentally responsible and fit to fuel a Greek god.

Ingredients:

2 large stalks of organic Kale- about 1.5 cups chopped

6 wild mushrooms

1/2 cup of Diced green bell pepper

2 Scallions /diced

1 pinch of sea salt

1 slice orange

1 Fillet of Atlantic Pole Cod

Ground Cayenne Pepper
Organic mustard

Cooking directions:

Include all ingredients in a covered pan with 3/4 cup of water in the bottom of the pan. Turn Burner on medium heat and steam until veggies are warm and kale appears deeper green. No more than 5 minutes...probably more like 4 depending on how hot your stove top cooks. (*Note to Chef) The goal in heating the veggies is preparation for digestion, they should not be soft, burnt, or flaccid....ha..I said flaccid. This portion of the dish should be extremely crunchy and full of texture, overheating leeches out an excessive amount of vitamins and minerals. In fact it's rare that I eat at a restaurant that can grasp this. Hence my addiction to cooking my own food (whenever possible). On the flip side..eating this dish raw would not yield the best digestion either. Let's find a happy medium.

* flavoring option: Two heaping tablespoons of organic mustard an sea salt (1 pinch)Also a big table spoon f oil oil may be added but only after ingredients are removed from stove top.

Step 2.

Pre-Heat your Over to 340 deg Cook for 15-17 minutes or until flaky.

Place your Fillet on a cooking sheet and dress in the following way.:
Heavy Cayenne pepper, pinch of sea salt and a tea spoon of coconut oil to prevent sticking.

Coconut oil/:why we like it? ....it withstands high heat unlike olive oil it's slower-uglier-red-headed step child cousin:

In principle, organic, unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil should have the lowest smoke point of all forms of olive oil since this form of the oil is the least refined, most nutrient dense and contains the largest concentration of fragile nutritive components. Oxidation of nourishing substances found in extra virgin olive oil, as well as acrylamide formation, can occur at cooking temperatures very closer to the 300Â°F/148Â°C range. For these reasons, I don't recommend cooking with extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes it's all you have but in general I like coconut or sunflower both with smoke points over 425

Cayenne Pepper: why we like it? The main active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. It is said to be a "thermogenic chemical" which will help speed your metabolism and decrease your appetite. It's actually a wonderful herb. It not only can promote weight loss, but it does many other wonderful things such as: increase blood flow, maintains healthy blood pressure, increase your sex drive, may help reduce ulcers and promotes a healthy digestive system

Atlantic Cod: Why we like it? Besides being an excellent low-calorie source of protein (a four-ounce serving of cod provides 52.1% of the daily need for protein for only 119 calories), cod contains a variety of very important nutrients and has also been shown to be useful in a number of different health conditions.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Fish, particularly cold water fish like cod, have been shown to be very beneficial for people with atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Studies show that people who eat fish regularly have a much lower risk of heart disease and heart attack than people who don't consume fish. Cod, specifically, promotes cardiovascular health because it is a good source of blood-thinning omega-3 fatty acids, but is also a good source ofvitamin B12 and a very good source of vitamin B6. Snap.

So enough data......wait one more chart on the kale to shows it's glowing 4 star rating and Why we like it! Are you serious on that vitamin A content?!!! enough said( in addition notice the 2 grams of protein)

Now that we've discussed the inner workings of our foods chemical makeup let's look at the finished product:

Alright that's it everyone, your mission if you choose to accept it: Make your own, take pictures and report back! Feel free to post your own version, modifications and photos under the comment section.

As always feel free to click on the donation tab to keep this blog running and sending out information to the masses! be well, eat well, live well.!

Cleansing : Cornered and Questioned.

2011-08-13T22:07:00.001-07:00

As of late... I’ve had a myriad of questions that have addressed the topic of Cleansing. I know if you are walking around with a respectable pulse you’ve heard of one or all of the following. The master cleanse, the juice cleanse, the 7 day detox, the 14 day cleanse, Apple Cider vinegar and lemmon water diet, fruit juice cleanse, and a slew of others that have crept their way into the fitness magazines, infomercials, or your local yoga studio (so sad). Well before you reach for that liquid diet or 1/5 serving of calories to maintain your current muscle mass…let’s talk.

This one is going to be short because it pretty cut and dry. Cleansing crash regiments…. you don’t need it.

The end.

Ohh…you’d like me to justify my point? OK, here it goes.

Your body is built to cleanse. That’s what is does naturally…it’s not something you can jumpstart, cheat and skirt around in a 14 day plan. What goes in must eventually come out, and so goes the vicious cycle. Altering what you eat is a great idea….but focus on whole foods consisting of dark leafy greens, colorful veggies some fruit, some nuts and organic proteins raised in sensible/ friendly manner.( your cow or chicken should be able to roam in the field, feed on clean grass and lay down in something other than his own feces) And make this choice for life, not a two week period that satisfies your short term goal of fitting into those Jordash tapered white wash jeans …GOD that’s a hot visual.

Instead shoot for an eating regime that puts you in a place to high kick without sticking…yes, this is a real add.

Did I just date myself? Yes, yes I did. But…I digress….

Whole food, healthy portions, and lots of water will do a great job of fueling your body and trust me baby…you were born this way…you will rebalance and cleanse very well. Your body will rebalance itself/ unless you have a major digestive issue: IBS, Crones, Leaky gut, food allergies or lower G.I. issues. If this is the case seek out a naturopathic doctor to evaluate your issues and set you up with a program for rebalancing.

We probably all have toxins accumulated in our system. And what is the best way to deal with them? I believe undertaking several long-term measures are a better approach than drastic short-term steps (although perhaps a minority of those trying a drastic diet may notice some benefits such as mental clarity or a sense of wellbeing, others may get worse). Probably because you stopped eating the shit you normally do and not because of strict regimen of lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, etc, etc. The body does not like going off balance too much and for too long. Our body tries to maintain homeostasis, a balanced state where everything is functioning properly. Fasting, or these drastic detox regimens alter this homeostasis, often in a harmful way. Liver glycogen stores are depleted, alterations occur in the mineral and electrolyte balance in the blood, muscle and bone tissue start breaking down (reduced metabolic rate), changes occur in the acid base balance, alterations occur in the fatty acid composition of cells, and immune function may be impaired.

Let me explain it in another way. If we try to live with honesty, treat yourself and others with respect, and not lie or steal…. a cleanse: is in direct violation of these principles. You are stealing and robbing your body of the nutrients it deserves. You are lying to yourself because you will never be able to maintain this standard you are setting for yourself for an extended period of time. You are tricking your body (master cleanse/simple sugars) into an altered state of stress and manipulating your body’s natural talents to survive and burn fat, in a quest for vanity. And trust me when your body finds out…i.e. after the fast is over.... it will NOT BE HAPPY. Just substitute “cleanse” for “masturbate” in the following picture and you get the idea…woooooww.

The weight / clarity/ clean feeling will not last and you will end up in a deeper hole than when you started. With fitness and nutrition there are no short cuts as with life. Trust me the easy button just doesn’t feel that good unless you climb up a mountain to push it.

Donation Button

Please feel no obligation to click the donation button at the top of the page. Know that when donating, 10% of your gift is going towards Sloan Kettering Medical Center for cancer research and the rest is driving this author towards publishing a cook book, an educated research article per week and health receipts with detailed instructions. Send around the love and dig deep for the cause.

Disclaimer *Again I am not a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti!

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

2011-05-27T13:08:00.001-07:00

If I told you bird back fat could help give you younger-looking skin, lower your cholesterol, and minimize joint pain, would you believe me? No? It’s fine. I don’t think I would believe that nonsensical jibber-jabber either. UNLESS I TRIED IT . . . AND IT WORKED. IN YOUR F??##%$$&&&ING FACE! Sorry. My inner caveman needed to yell and do a happy dance over my own personal experience with EMU OIL. Like I always say, I would not recommend something unless I had tried, tested, and treated myself with said product and let me say, I feel great. And as for my skin, well just yesterday a girl in J. C. Penny told me I had the skin of Justin Bieber. Winning! In addition to physical well-being, by the end of this one you will have learned something about birds, Australia, and Omega 3, 6 and 9's. Should I give you another reason to keep reading? Ok . . . you just checked your Facebook 30 seconds ago and no one has commented on anything. Moving right along.

In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.

Resembling an ostrich of sorts, this foul stands 5 to 6 feet tall. It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years, roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter . . . and a life free from arthritis? Quite possible. In fact, one useful survival tool given to the emu to flourish under extreme temperatures and direct sunlight is a very thick layer of subcantancerous back fat! Until the late 1990s, emu oil had been quietly used for more than 1,000 years by the Australian Aborigines in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and skin irritation. Modern scientists and doctors became curious when they realized that painful arthritis was largely absent in many Aboriginal tribes, while at the same time an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans are daily arthritis sufferers. This major clue led the way to the first major clinical study of the “wonder oil”, (as it is referred to today) led by a Dr. Peter Gosh. His conclusion was summed up in the paper, The Anti- Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil, which demonstrated that emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients and that people can get real results from this ancient remedy. His specific results were charted as follows:

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1

Day 4

Day 7

Day 11

Day 14

30%

50%

82%

100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1

Day 6

Day 12

Day 17

22%

48%

100%

I have to say that personally, I experienced very much the same results over a 2 to 3 week period. Overuse and rehearsing for two shows at the same time had left me with some mild patellar tendonitis and a sore wrist. I used 2/3 drops of emu oil 3X a day and after about a week, I started to notice a real difference. Minimal swelling remained and I noticed that pain had diminished in the area previously under stress. In about three weeks my knee and wrist felt better than they had in a long time. These results drove me to look even deeper into the why’s and how’s of emu oil.

Does everyone remember my blog about fish oil? OK, it was a while back (January of 2010). You could go back and read it again . . . But, I digress. Essentially, we are looking at a very similar product here. An oil packed with Omega 3’s. And what do Omega 3’s do? Well, to quote myself, “Omega fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil. Go!

On a scientific level, emu oil contains a wonderful balance of 3, 6, and 9 Omega fatty acids. The oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids (these lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation), the largest component being oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid).

Does this sound like a lot of crap, percentages, and numbers? I feel you, but let me sum up what I see. I see a high percentage of oleic acid. Still doesn’t ring bells for you? And why should it? You probably spend your time enjoying life as opposed to sticking your face in science textbooks. That’s why you have me. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is a known enhancer for transport of bioactive compounds into the skin, thus rendering the fatty acid compositions in emu oil extremely penetrating or . . . big word . . . ”transdermal”. This stuff is literally spot treatment Omegas for the areas that need help in your body! It was designed perfectly by nature to deliver spot treatment - natural Advil-esk aid to your aching body! Hurray!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short: emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Let me end with a word of caution: Not all oils are created equal! As great a natural health wonder as emu oil is, it is a wonder why so many companies muck up their formulas with dangerous additives. Emu oil products have been found to include parafen preservatives, and related dyes have been added as preservatives and color enhancers. So, do your research and buy organic. As always I know a few companies which are reputable. However, be your own advocate for health.

Again I am not a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti!

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

2011-05-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1

Day 4

Day 7

Day 11

Day 14

30%

50%

82%

100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1

Day 6

Day 12

Day 17

22%

48%

100%

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil. Go!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short: emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Growing your heart 10x in one act

2011-04-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

This story is brought to you by the quest for the perfect boot. Did you say perfect butt…as in ass? NO, I mean boot like shoe…like these boots were made for walking. This quest led me to a man named Murray, which then led to a bookstore, and then back to Murray. Then it led me to a computer and will hopefully lead you back to Murray. (Confusing I know…but please try and follow.) As New Yorkers know . . . and we do know everything . . . there is that one perfect pair of shoes you can wear with anything. Even more specifically, there is the New York actor: one who needs an even more specific shoe they can wear with everything, AND travel around the country having it serve as a viable piece of footwear in all climates. This was me. Now that I am embarking on extended employment throughout the country I felt it time to find one boot to suit all occasions: opening nights, traveling, outings, bus trips, outdoor excursions and midget partnering Yoga (huge in Oregon). So . . . you may be reading and wondering how my usual twist on a healthy supplement or natural physical improvement comes into this article. Trust me, it will be there.

So where does one search for boots in the city? Shh . . . I’m going to tell you. Take the yellow train with an N on it to 8^th street. From there you walk west on 8^th and after about 4 blocks you will be in the heart of about 5 boot shops, all alike in stature and décor, most of them having opened up in the early seventies and eighties and carrying thousands of shoes. Many so old they were born from a discontinued model and have only one size . . . but if you’re that lucky Cinderella who’s little pig hoof fits, you’ve got yourself a vintage treasure. Oink.

Moving along . . . So, I found a great pair of a Harley Davidson Roadster motorcycle boots. They had a flat black finish, great price, decent fit (ish), and in the pressure of the moment I bought the cool, affordable, not-so-great-fitting-boot and went on my merry way. Fast forward two Avenues and 15 city blocks later and I had problems. The boots I “NEEDED” to wear out of the store were doing some serious damage to my hooves. My heels hurt, my big toe was thrust over the 2^nd biggest toe, my arches were throbbing, and it was a general mess. Actually, on the subway my bunion said, out loud no less (in a NYC wise guy accent), “Hey, hey! Are you fucking kidding me with this situation down here? I just met the pinky toe and we are opposite sides of the foot-hemisphere!” Needless to say . . . that was an awkward moment for everyone. Stupid talking bunion. Dumb Boots.

At this point I knew there was only one thing to do: go back. Go back with my shoppers pride dragging on the floor and ask for a refund. I also realized the odds of this, having worn the shoes into the street: not good. (Somewhere in this story I found better boots, while trying to help a friend shop for herself . . . this is the way shoe karma goes . . . you always find great stuff when looking for someone else). So I made my way back down to 8^th street and Stylish Shoe (singular…not plural) to make my plight. My first obstacle was a Portugese woman at the desk with a limited English vocabulary and the look of death. As I walked back into Stylish Shoe with my boots in a plastic bag, she already knew what I wanted. I simply got the shake of a head and the sentence, “We no taking boots back from customer. Store Credit for you!” Then she called over the owner . . . Murray. Murray looked as though he had seen better days and approached my front counter with a pace that would rival a turtle. He again opened with a quote of store policy and asked me if I could find something else I wanted to exchange the boots for. In my retort I explained I had gotten a new pair already, I lived on tour, and had no room to travel extra shoes, I also offered to pay a 20 $ restocking fee if he would return the shoes… as I didn’t want to have boots I couldn’t wear and hated the idea of them going to waste in my trunk. He took a moment, paused and smiled. In a jewish east village accent, he said, “I always like to work with the customer. And for you, today, we are returning the shoe. Come, let’s get you a refund.” I was happy, to say the least. And then I noticed something.

As Murray struggled to fill out paper work…. his right hand was trembling so bad he could not write with a pen. His assistant took over and began the task. In this awkward moment I bluntly asked (like I do), “What’s going on with the hand?”. “Parkinsons”, he replied. At this moment some would have said, ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘That’s terrible’. I did not. I feel anyone who is struggling . . . no, living . . . with any disease wants least of all, pity. I mean, we all have our cross to bear and this was Murray’s, but my sappy condolence would do anything BUT lighten the load. So I didn’t skip a beat. I proceeded to converse and ask how far along he was, daily medication list, and how he was dealing with day-to-day life. ( As many know I consider myself an unofficial expert on all things medical.) He then pulled back his flannel shirt to reveal a large box hung from his shoulder, wires ran into his stomach from a the machine which beeped and blinked like an electric lunch box. He spoke with the simplest matter-of-fact tone, “What’s been hard lately is the stomach cancer, for which I’m being infused daily with chemo. But this little device lets me continue to run the boot shop during the day.” I was floored. “Jesus,” I said, as if to call someone down here right now and give this guy a hand. This moment got me. I had nothing. The only place my mind could go was to what it must have been like for him to be there selling boots on that day . . . or dealing with fickle customers who couldn’t make up their minds (cough). He proceeded to tell me that he had no family left, only a passing friend to help him get through really bad days and that the store was his last hurrah. Being a retired accountant, he spoke of how he had always dreamed of owning a nice shoe store.

After a long pause I jumped in. “Well, Murray, I know this is a tough time, but can I ask how you are fueling your body while in this process of extreme stress and large doses of medication?” “McDonalds. I do love cheese and coffee, lots of takeout . . . Things that are easy”, he replied. Without another breath I knew why I was there. I jumped in with the benefits of a healthy diet, book recommendations, and talked about my experience as a cancer survivor. I explained how he could gain energy and put himself in a position to better deal with chemo through better nutrition. I told him that of course I’m not a doctor, but I believe this with my whole heart: That what you put in reflects the energy yield in your body’s systems. And right now, Murray, you need everything you can get. He attempted to scribble down what I had said down on the back of a receipt, the chicken scratches on the back of the paper hurt my heart. He then asked if candy and sweets were good before bed. Hmm . . . frustrated, I felt like I had just given an iPad demo to my grandpa and then he tried use it as a cutting board. I knew he needed more time, help, and info. I collected myself, said my goodbyes, and wished him the best. As I left he said, “You know, I really want to know more about this good food stuff, and I want to eat better. I just don’t know how.” I smiled and just said, “Be strong, my friend.”

The second I left the store my heart started to race, I ran to the clerk at Barnes and Noble and asked for Chris Carr’s Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips. A paint by numbers guild to fool-proof cancer treatment nutrition. This book, one of my faves, outlines every guideline I believe in when it comes to what to and what NOT to eat. It’s a great read for anyone looking to change up the standard American diet and takes into account everything a person needed to heal: mind, body and spirit. It uses bold print and pictures and most chapters are not more than a dozen pages long, yet to my dismay, the book was out! Crap. The manager then asked me to hold on a second and noticed she had seen a box at the top of the stairs of new books and I quote, “We get orders in all the time, you never know what’s going to be in there.” So, as you may have guessed, they opened the box and what was the first book? Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips. Cha-ching!

I wrote a small note inside the front cover and headed back to Stylish Shoe (singular). I found Murray hard at work with a few customers and waited patiently by the door. As he did before, he slowly made his way over to me with a look of confusion. “Did you forget something?” he asked. “No Sir, I bought you this book and I want you to promise me you will read it. I’ve given you a business card so anytime you have any questions please call me.” Murray tried to talk but nothing came out. All he could do was stumble to the register, eyes full of tears and pull out money to give to me. “Here. Here, I will pay you . . . let me give you something?!” “No. I am giving you a gift and I am wishing you strength. I will check back in a few months . . . be well.” As I started out the door, (now I’m crying and are the other sales people as well as the two patrons in the store) he raised his hand and shouted “ God bless . . . God bless you.” And that was it. That was my life changing experience.

As I walked down the street my head was spinning. I could only hope Murray would find a support system and come through his struggle the better for it. I thought about my experience, how lucky I was to have such a great family and caring friends who took care of me when I was sick. And then it hit me . . . I had this epiphany. Life is very short. Ten thousand years human beings have risen and fallen and the things in life that seem so important mean nothing at all. Your job, your house, your credit cards, the role you want in a show so badly, that audition (I’m clearly narrating for an actor), anything material. These things which consume us will not with stand the test of time. So, what will? Kindness. Kindness towards your fellow man or woman could send unknown waves of positive energy through generations. Imagine if we all woke up tomorrow and found a stranger, someone you owe nothing to. You find this stranger and you connect. You offer your ear, your time, a smile . . . maybe a cup of coffee. Who knows? And it doesn’t have to be a stranger, it could be your friend . . . no one if off limits!

So, relating this to my health blog, do you remember in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the part when he gives the presents back to the Whos in Whoville? Remember when his heart swelled and grew ten times?! Yeah . . . that just happened to me. So I can assure you it will be good for you and your heart! And acts of kindness are free. So get going! Unless you buy them a book….but it’s still not expensive. That book was one cocktail at the bar, so don’t say you can’t afford to treat someone…it’s just a choice what we spend our money on.

Also, I’m gonna put the address for Stylish Shoe up here and if anyone feels like and is in the area…possibly shopping for boots….stop by and give Murray a hug, or shop at his store or send him a smile! He could really use it!

Stylish Shoe

All Season Boots

"The Best Of The West"

212-533-5909

19 west 8th street NYC 10011

bet. 5th and 6th Ave.

New Year, New food, New Protein!

2011-01-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

If you’re anything like me, you are surveying the caloric damage of the past 30-40 day holiday season and wondering to yourself . . . How is my underwear not ripping at the seams?! Shrimp, cheese logs, fruit cake, pizza rolls, meats, and cheeses in excessive quantities, and enough alcohol to pickle yourself. My answer to that? Elastic. Well . . . take a deep breath, and say to yourself: it’s over. And if you are reading this, it’s true that you made it out alive. And If you are reading this from heaven, then I apologize for not writing this blog about a wonderful new product 15 days earlier. Hand is out. Slap it.

Now, since we are entering a new year and it’s a great time to start a new habit I’d like to throw something out on the table: Sunwarrior Brown Rice Sprouted Protein. Not one word, but 6, so it must be good.

In all seriousness, I‘d like to talk about one way we can start the year off right, and that is with a wonderful new source of protein. Until now, there has not been a vegan raw protein with a complete amino acid profile available to the masses which I could rave about so effortlessly. Great tasting, great value, and great nutrition. But before we go into the benefits of this stuff, let’s talk about protein for a moment. Then I’ll tell you why I like this one so much...because it levels the playing field with the former standard protein sources Moooooo.....

WHAT IS PROTEIN: It’s an organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. One of its jobs is to synthesize structural proteins like muscle. Protein is also responsible for synthesizing structural hormones like insulin, growth hormone and Insulin Growth Factor I. These are anabolic hormones that can influence many functions in the body, including muscle growth, recovery, strength, and absorption of nutrients into your muscle cells. Muscle soreness, general fatigue and overall weakness accompany low protein consumption.

Wrap your head around this:

-Although your body appears to be unchanging as a mass, it is always in a constant state of growth and dying. Body protein is constantly being turned over as old cells die and new cells replace them. Science has proven that 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced within one year. In three months, your body produces an entirely new skeleton. Every six weeks, all the cells have been replaced in your liver. You have a new stomach lining every five days. What?! Every month you produce an entirely new layer of skin as dead cells are shed and new cells grow underneath. The proteins in your muscles are continually turned over as muscle is broken down and new tissue is synthesized. Every cell in your body is constantly being recycled. Where do all these new cells come from? These new cells come from the protein you consume every day . Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen , and sometimes other atoms. They form the cellular structural elements, are biochemical catalysts, and are important regulators of gene expression

In order for protein synthesis to occur (a magical process by which your body utilizes it), an adequate supply of both essential and non-essential amino acids is vital. If one of the essential amino acids is missing, synthesis is halted. Any amino acids that are not used within a short time cannot be stored for future use. Restriction in protein intake will result in protein degradation and muscle breakdown, i.e. your body becomes weak and frail. Like the old bag lady slumped over the fire hydrant at 50^th and 8^th. Sweet . . . but frail.

The recommended daily Allowance of protein intake is .036 grams per pound of body weight, however this does not account for any outside stress such as exercise. <Cough, cough>. Also, there are recommendations that say 300-500 grams a day (which is excessive and there is no literature to support this amount or any benefits it may yield). International Sports Sciences supports a diet including .8 gm/per pound to maintain a positive nitrogen balance and enable muscular gains.

So . . . we have established why we need it. Fair? Fair.

Now the reason I’m excited about the Sunwarrior protein: it levels the playing field of non-animal-product-based protein. Till recently there was not a great option for someone to supplement protein intake from a non-animal source. You could either do soy, which jacks up you estrogen levels. Or there was hemp, unsprouted brown rice, or pea protein . . . yuck. Believe me, I have tried them all. They are all bad-tasting, and I found it very hard to keep muscle on while using these products as a supplementation to good old fashioned whey or meat. Here are some things this the product has going for it:

“At 85% protein, Sunwarrior has the highest (non soy) raw (not heated over 90 degrees) whole grain sprouted vegan protein on the market.

By using a third generation process, we have created the best tasting vegetable protein on the market that has a silky smooth texture that blends well and tastes great compared with other chalky and grainy vegetable proteins.

We use old world process of combining the sprouted endosperm and the bran from raw sprouted whole grain brown rice. This unique process creates the first complete hypoallergenic protein, which is made up of all 9 essential amino acids and other non-essential amino acids in a perfectly balanced amino acid profile.

It has a 98% correlation rate to Mother's Milk and a 98.2% digestion efficiency making it one of the highest digestibility and efficiency ratings of any other protein sources (compared to whey and soy).

It has the highest net protein utilization score of any vegetable-based protein and the highest ratio of amino acids converted to proteins.

Unlike the extraction processes of other proteins, our method of extraction uses neither chemicals nor acid hydrolysis. We only use organic enzymes during the process and our process is 100% Organic Compliant.

Naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, Sunwarrior Protein contains high amounts of antioxidants tocopherols, and tocotrienols and other essential nutrients such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous, iron and potassium.

Increases efficacy and absorption of vitamin, minerals. There has been a direct correlation between the use of Sunwarrior Protein and the absorption of vitamins.

Because Sunwarrior Protein is so digestible, it can be easily assimilated by infants, the elderly and adults The World Health Organization may be using Sunwarrior Protein in the future to feed malnourished individuals, because of the hypoallergenic profile, and superior absorption that Sunwarrior has shown to have.”

Love this!!!!!!!!!!! There is currently a clinical trial that shows promise that Sunwarrior Protein aids in the absorption of vitamins in AIDS patients. There has been a direct correlation between the use of Sunwarrior Protein and the absorption of vitamins where other proteins do not provide such synergistic affects during intake. Weight loss clinical studies in Japan have showed that by providing rice protein as a staple in a diet, that it can be used as a weight control vehicle, particularly because of the superior absorption rates. Diabetes: there are clinical studies going on right now which show that because of the balanced nutritional profile of rice, it helps to actually maintain the diabetic affects of sugars, which could be used in diabetic products to help control insulin levels. Cholesterol: clinical studies have shown promise that Sunwarrior has cholesterol-lowering potential and the USDA is currently using Sunwarrior in trials to see if it may help control high blood pressure.

I don’t know what else to say, except I really think this is a keep on my Freddie Four Star List. Oh yeah, I’ve started a list. This is on it. That is all.

As always I recommend a scoop of this in a smoothie with some flax seeds some fruit, and bringing it along with your for and in between meal snack. It’s also a great way to start your day.

Another recipe I use it for are my tahini protein balls:

-2 scoops sun warrior protein

-1/2 diced apple

-1/4 cup flax seeds

-1/2 cup rasins or dates

-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- ¼ cup crushed walnuts

-1 ½ cup of tahini butter

Place all ingredients in a bowl and churn together! Then roll in coconut flakes! Raw and about 8 gm of protein each!

www.freddiekimmel.com

"livestrong"

WheatGrass-my new best friend!

2010-11-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

Wheatgrass. It can simply be described as one of the healthiest substances on earth. Ron Burgundy would call it "glorious". I call it a lifesaver. But anyone wanting to jump-start his or her way to a better “you” would benefit from adding this green juice as a supplement to their diet. I know everyone has heard of wheatgrass, whether it is in their local health food store….or the infamous episode of sex and the city (i.e. when Samantha used it to as an internal deodorant for a guy's . . . ok, I'm leaving that one alone.) I simply want you to look at some facts about wheatgrass. Then let’s decide together if this is for you.

1. Wheatgrass contains over 90 minerals. 90. Yes . . . 90. Including a high concentration of the most alkaline minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium.

(Why do we want an alkaline system? Because it’s a disease-free zone). Low acid = no sick time. Every one who wanted a good recommendation for good alternate source of calcium from last week's milk blog…. well, here is your huckleberry…. coming in at 35mg per serving.

2. It contains the essential enzymes: Protease (assists in protein digestion), Cytochrome Oxidase (a powerful antioxidant), Amylase (facilitates digestion), Lipase (a fat-splitting enzyme), Transhydrogenase (strengthens the heart muscle) & Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (found in all body cells and is known for its ability to lessen the effect of radiation and slow cellular aging). Translation= skinny bitch with great skin and a normal pooping cycle.

3. Just one teaspoon of Wheat Grass powder, weighing a mere 3.5 grams, is nutritionally equal to an entire spinach salad weighing a full 50 grams – it packs a punch!

4. Wheatgrass has more vitamin C than oranges and twice the vitamin A as carrots!

5. Wheatgrass juice helps your body to build red blood cells, which carry oxygen to every cell. By increasing the oxygenation in the body, you can help offset smog and carbon monoxide and increase your endurance during physical exercise.

6. It also contains 19 amino acids, the building blocks of protein
7. Yes, it's gluten-free. At the early stage of harvest and growth, there is no gluten protein. Work.

Impressed? Not yet? Ok, let’s keep going.

Many people starting wheat grass for the first time will experience a great initial cleanse. i.e., it’s a natural way to take out the garbage. i.e., things will "really" get moving. Does this image help??!……

Cleanse the Body: Wheatgrass is an extremely beneficial food in terms of both its cleansing capabilities . . . According to ‘The Wheatgrass Book’ (Wigmore, 1985), just 140g of fresh wheatgrass offers the same nutritional value as over 3kg’s of fresh green vegetables! 3kg’s I know most of you don’t get that in a year! That’s 6.6 pounds, Americans!

Wheatgrass is a great source of vitamins B, C, E and carotene, which are hugely effective in destroying and eliminating free radicals and cleansing the body. Wheatgrass is also highly regarded for its ability to cleanse the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract. Because it is also high in saponin, wheatgrass offers excellent support to the lymphatic system, helping to carry away hundreds and thousands of toxins from the cells of the body. Kulvinskas (Survival into the 21st Century, 1975) wheatgrass helps to ‘detoxify the body by increasing the elimination of hardened mucus, crystallized acids and solidified, decaying fecal matter. And you know how I hate/love fecal matter.

I feel like I’ve said enough, but let’s look at the big one.

Fun Fact: The chlorophyll molecule in wheatgrass is almost identical to the hemoglobin molecule in human blood. The only difference is that the central element in chlorophyll is magnesium and in hemoglobin, it is iron. Fun? that's f...ing amazing!

What does this mean for me, Dr. Fred? Well, if I have to spell it out for you….. All energy from the earth starts where? Answer: The sun! Welcome back to high school. Plants convert energy from the sun using chlorophyll, co2 and water. Photosynthesis.

“Once light energy has excited a sufficient amount of chlorophyll, the light energy is brought to a singular part of the chloroplast. Carbon dioxide molecules, water molecules and a natural chemical called adenosine diphosphate are combined using light energy as a catalyst for the chemical reaction. This reaction produces pure oxygen, which is given off as an unwanted byproduct, and a new chemical called adenosine triphosphate or ATP.”

The reason I choose to break this down? Because I want to try and grasp the significance of what you are eating. It's the base board of all life. This is a way for us to get nutrition from the base of the food chain; it’s pure, untainted, and rich in simple fuels for the body. You are drinking the sun.

Some History:

Well, what I always wonder….as I happen to do… who started eating grass and found out it was good or helpful in our overall health. Turns out, Charles Schnabel, an agricultural chemist, conducted the first experiments with young grasses in 1930, when he used fresh-cut grass in an attempt to nurse dying hens back to health. “The hens not only recovered, but they produced eggs at a higher rate than healthy hens. Encouraged by his results, he began drying and powdering grass for his family and neighbors to supplement their diets. The following year, Schnabel reproduced his experiment and achieved the same results. Hens consuming rations supplemented with grass doubled their egg production.”

Sources and what to buy:

Here is where it gets interesting. Wheatgrass shots sold in your local health food store or in juice generation are very expensive. Some cost upwards of 4 dollars a shot.

So… I propose to you two options (there are more, but we both know you are indecisive) :):

Option Number 1:

There are two companies who make a good wheat grass powder. By good, I mean dehydrated below 107 degrees for enzyme preservation and grown outdoors throughout winter-(this yields a higher vitamin content). The companies are: Sweet Wheat and Amazing Grass. I, personally, use Amazing Grass. It’s affordable and I really like the marketing aspect of the company. They have some wonderful products and also have some great alternatives for kids. i.e., portable green packets for children to pop in their lunch box. Can you imagine your child glowing with energy and focus in the classroom . . . charging towards his/her doctorate, and eventually supporting you in your rickety old age. For this, you may thank me. Seriously, the wheat grass powder is great, although it kind of tastes like you're drinking the lawn. I’ve found if you throw it in your smoothie you won’t even notice the taste. Also a shot of water and then a shot of apple juice mixed in works wonders.

Option number 2:

For those with a green thumb and a flare for adventure….you can grow your own. There are numerous kits online which will send you everything you need. Then you simply buy a hand crank juicer....

. . . they are cheap, like 20-30 dollars online! So you just follow the directions and the best thing about this stuff…..it keeps growing as you trim it. Just like body hair!

I’m sorry I couldn’t help it . . . actually, this man’s back hair grows back much slower than your wheat grass garden. Another benefit is the healthy supply of oxygen you’ll be pumping into your home from the . . . say it with me . . . photosynthesis happening in your casa!

Personal experience:

Personally . . . my personal experience, as in . . . my person has noticed extreme focus, great energy, a regular schedule . . . a timely visit three times a day. T.m.i., maybe, but let's say hi to him one more time . . . I know . . . the angry toilet never gets old.

And, I feel like a superhero when I kid the weights in the gym. I’m anticipating getting my blood worked up as soon as I get a chance to see if there are any chemical changes in my hemoglobin profile . . . but I honestly feel like I’m 18 years old. Ask my castmates in White Christmas, I am pretty much bouncing off the walls and keep up with any of them and all are an easy (cough) ten years younger.

If you are looking for some reputable sights on which wheat grass has been written up . . . here are a few of my favorite links (Not too shabby, I’d say):

1. American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/wheatgrass

2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69419.cfm

3. And finally my boy …you guessed it…Lance Armstrong…….has about ten articles dedicated to the green power plant!

         http://www.livestrong.com/benefits-of-wheatgrass-juice/

   Also...here is what I buy! And cheap! The 60 servings or the 30! the 60, obviously, is a much better value.

Disclaimer:
   As always with any product you should START SLOW especially if you are a processed sugar standard american diet type of gal'! If you take too much too fast and your diet consists of a lot of processed foods, sugar, etc..and you throw yourself into detox, the effects are strong enough for someone to get discouraged...headache, nausea, upset digestive system...there's a lot that should go with it...i.e. water, better diet....so again, please write me with any specific questions. Again I am not a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti!

I remember 11-16-06

2010-11-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

November 16^th... Four years ago to the day I found myself in an emergency room in New York City. I remember thinking how badly I needed to get a hold of some pushover doctor, one who would simply write me a script for a pain killer, an antibiotic, or some miracle medicine that would stop the intense abdominal that was pulsing through my mid-section. In my head I rationalized that I (a) pulled a groin in the dance class I had just taken, (b) pulled “something” in the show I was running at the time and the delayed muscle soreness had just set in, or (c) I had some horrible S.T.D. All three would have been better and less shocking than a diagnosis of cancer.

It’s true, 28 years old…(yes, that’s correct I’m 32 now)…. and you never expect to hear those words. Not only did I have cancer, but it had also spread and apparently relocated itself in nine individual little colonies know as tumors throughout my chest cavity.

I have found that what we remember throughout our lives is to say the least ....selective. But I remember everything about that day. It’s a grainy filtered old movie that never stops playing. I remember the girl who was coming down from a heroine trip, strapped to her hospital bed in the E.R. I remember the group of medical students who wandered into the room where I was being held pre-diagnosis…..who then proceeded to ask if they could examine my primary tumor? "My what?"" Tumor of what?" "What the f..k?" Yes, this actually happened. And yes, I’ve let it go. I remember trying to call my dad, chocking on tears only to learn my phone had been turned off because I missed my payment to AT&T…..I’m with sprint now. J. I remember finally reaching my Dad, who after learning his first-born had cancer, calmly told me everything would be ok…”just get on a plane and come home.”….We went straight to the hospital in Rochester and never left. I remember calling my best friends to tell them I had caner? I can see every leaf on the walk home from 110 and central park west, I see the colors, I remember which cracks I stepped on in the sidewalk, I can see the moisture on the ground from the rainy fall mist that had been persistent all day. I remember the longest subway ride of my life….the one out to JFK on the A train. Why the fuck didn’t I take a cab?!!!I was not thinking clearly…I just knew I needed to get home, and the subway went to Jet blue. I can see the face of every person in my packed rail car. I had been crying. Why they looking at me? Do they know I have cancer? I wondered where they were going, and If they were coming from work, but I knew that whatever was on their minds it was lighter then mine. I was angry at them for the freedom of frivolous thought and knew no one had been just dealt a cancer card in the last two hours. I then I again started to breakdown wondering if I would ever again ride a subway car, free from this pressure, this diagnosis, this sickness. I remember how good it was to walk off the airplane and see my Dad and step mom. I can remember the nurses in the hospital….they seemed to care, much more than those in NYC….it had the feeling and warmth of home. I remember the growing hurt pushing against my insides…I could barley stand upright at this point. I remember that first I.V. of morphine which washed away the pain. I remember waking up and having ten family members huddled around my bed. I remember feeling loved. I remember meeting my doctor and him handing me a copy of lance Armstrong’s book and promised me he would let me die. He then shook my hand, hard and I wasn't afraid. The last thing I remember about that day is walking in the bathroom. I wanted a moment alone before I would go into surgery. I wanted my digital camera…I remember wanting to take a picture of my face…let’s be honest, I also took a picture of my ball before they hacked it off.:-) But I wanted to remember that moment most of all. I knew Life would never be the same again. (See picture) Still smiling that shit eating grin.....lol.

So, here we are four years later. I’m still alive. Truth be know, if you know me and are a part of my life I’m better than alive. Life flows through me and I cherish every moment. Cliché….Cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It’s true. At 32, I’m an old soul who has knowledge and power beyond his years. And while this entry does not talk about a health product or practice, it speaks about it author. I am here to spread what I have learned to overcome caner. What I have learned to be a better… more capable person and help you in being a better you. As always, feel free to email me with any questions you may have concerning nutrition and exercise. I will be honest, supportive and I’m learning more everyday. Thanks for listening and stay tunned for some great new articles in the next few weeks!

www.freddiekimmel.com

freddiekimmel@yahoo.com

Sprouts, Sprouts, Sprouts

2010-11-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sprouts, Enzymes and digestive aids oh my.

There it is, my blog.

Go buy them.

Seriously.

As my research into he human body evolves, I become more disenchanted with the supplement industry and more in love with what nature has given us. Again I need to tip my hat to the vegan raw food community as it continues to yield new discoveries which make feel stronger, healthier and more alive than ever before. So I thank you. There I said it. Continuing…..

The spouted seed or nut is a miracle to your digestive track, plain and simple. Why? I will tell you….provided you want to feel better, look better, and live longer…..sold? I though so……

First we need to have a talk about something your body does every day. Process food. In the good old u.s.a, or super sized nation as I like to call it…(Look around the local walmart and see what I’m talking about). We cook , burn, can, sauté, package, and process our food before we eat it. With the exception of McDonalds most of these food sources at some point contained enzymes. Naturally these chemicals aided in the digestion of the food we eat. Unfortunatlly for enzymes….. they die when cooked at a temperature of 118 degrees or higher. So, in short: you are a murderer. So…there’s that. But aside from your crime, you’ve laid a task on your body 2x as hard to break apart your food. Now devoid of any natural enzymes, your stomach and pancrease go into over drive, struggling to tear apart the meal you just ate. Do you ever eat lunch and wanna take a nap. I grew up thinking that was good or at least normal. I remember going to work with my dad, leaving at noon for a 4-patty burger at Wendy’s and then falling asleep at the desk at his engineering firm. It was accepted of course that I was not only lazy but I kind of owned the fact that I was an inherent f..k up. Sad really. Had I know that my young body was struggling to break apart the dead rotting food in my stomach I would have JUST STOPPED EATING THAT STUFF. Food should take about 2 hours to leave the stomach and you should feel energized after a meal. It’s fuel for the fire. Instead I was slowly killing myself.

So wait a minute. Dr. Fred…are you saying I should go Raw?! I can’t cook my food?! Well, If you want an honest answer, yes, that would be the best possible healthy diet for your body. However I understand this isn’t a change someone makes in our society. So there are some options. One being: the sprout. Sprouts are packed with natural enzymes and oxygen vitamins they fight cancer and are filled with healthy fats. They are easy to add to salads, smoothies, or just about any dish and they are packed with the power to break down your food. Hear the power points of what they do!

p.s. Anyone dealing with a serious illness could only benefit from a raw Vegan lifestyle. Today’s market is packed with great veggie protein alternatives.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #1:

Sprouts contain oxygen. Because sprouts are a ‘living’ food, they contain hundreds of molecules of oxygen, which is essential for healthy cells. Oxygen-rich foods can ward off viruses and even kill off bacteria. You need a fair amount of oxygen-rich foods in your diet to enjoy the benefits, and sprouts can help you achieve your nutrition balance for the day!

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #2:

Sprouts have an alkalizing affect on the body. Your body needs to be alkaline in order to be healthy, and there are several foods and toxins that can offset this balance. Sprouts are very alkaline, so you’ll be helping your body achieve balance with ease.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #3:

Sprouts contain healthy fats. Sprouts contain EFAs, the essential fatty acids your body needs to perform basic body functions. You need a certain level of fat in your diet in order to ward off infections and strengthen your immune system. Sprouts are rich in EFAs, so they can support a healthy diet and keep your metabolism functioning at its optimal level.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #4:

Sprouts are natural sources of fiber. Fiber helps keep your digestive system healthy, and helps you feel fuller between meals. Eating more fiber can support your healthy diet and reduce the risk of constipation. Loading up your sandwich or a meal with sprouts can give your daily fiber counts a boost, and help you digest your meal easily.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #5:

Sprouts can give you a dose of vitamins B and C. Sprouts contain a number of vitamins and minerals, and the quantities are even greater when you soak the seeds overnight. Soaking the seeds overnight increases the levels of vitamin B, so you will always be doing your body a favor by doing this.

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #6:

Eating sprouts increases your protein count. Sprouts contain a significant amount of vegetable proteins, and can support your healthy diet. They can even be a healthy alternative to meat, so if you’re vegetarian, sprouts should be a part of your daily or weekly diet!

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #7:

Sprouts are very low in calories. If you’re watching your weight and cutting back on calories, sprouts will support your lifestyle. Sprouts contain only 9 calories per ounce, and these are a combination of healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fats. You can load up your pocket pita, sandwich and salads with generous amounts of sprouts to enjoy all of the benefits of this amazing vegetable – and do it guilt-free!

I don’t think I need to say anymore. Sprouts are easy to find at any health food store. Or if you want to save more money and buy your own seeds....you can sprout your own sprouts. Just lay the seeds in a wet or damp towel for 4 days in the window sill. We did that in science class…remember!?

Here are some fun facts from a great article on the power of sprouts!

Amazing Phytochemicals

Alfalfa, radish, broccoli, clover and soybean contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds) that can protect us against disease. Also a buzz word from last weeks Vitamix article! Plant estrogens in sprouts function similarly to human estrogen but without side effects. They increase bone formation and density, prevent bone breakdown (osteoporosis) and are helpful in controlling hot flashes, menopause, PMS and fibrocystic breasts tumors. Canavanine, an amino acid analog present in alfalfa, has demonstrated resistance to pancreatic, colon and leukemia cancers in vitro.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers found substantial amounts of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates in broccoli sprouts which are very potent inducers of phase 2 enzymes that protect cells from going malignant. Broccoli sprouts actually contain 10-100 times higher levels of these enzymes than does the mature vegetable. Yes please…pass the sprouts!

Alfalfa sprouts are also one of our finest food sources of saponins. Saponins lower the bad cholesterol and fat but not the good HDL fats. Animal studies prove their benefit in arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Saponins also stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells such as T- lymphocytes and interferon. The saponin content of alfalfa sprouts multiplies 450% over that of the unsprouted seed. Sprouts also contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction and protect us from the ongoing effects of aging. It wouldn’t be inconceivable to find a fountain of youth here, after all, sprouts represent the miracle of birth.

Here are two great deals on seeds for sprouting your own oxygen, energy filled seedlings!

Blending for a Better You

2010-10-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

Not All Blends were created Equal...?

That will be the last cheap joke of this article. Thank you, I understand that it wasn’t even that clever but I need to start somewhere.

To blend or not to blend that is the question..?

See what I did…..

Now that I got that out of system.....I’m here to speak the name of that which we dare not Utter …..The Vitamix. Yes, you know the one….The highly priced Cadillac of all blenders. But why? Why would you expect me to pay upwards of Five Hundred Dollars for a blender? Really Frederick? Do I really need that in my kitchen? Why Blend? I like to taste my Food! I’ve got a blender and it works fine!...yes yes, I’ve heard all these things when I begin to gloat with pure Pride of my Vitamix at parties. It's true I talk about blenders at parties. Well I’d love to tell you,” No, no you do not need it…..” But then I would be lying. And we know what happens to people who lie….yes. Explosive diarrhea. This is not a fact but my humble belief. All comedy aside….. If you care about your body, your overall health, optimal nutrition, saving time and money on food, and feeling like a Greek God.. and much, much more…….then please read on.

Let me get technical first….

This high tech blender has a Variable speed control and high speed switch set blade speed from 11mph to 240mph and facilitates a wide range of food prep tasks, including four processes no other single appliance can handle - making juice, cooking soup, making ice cream, grinding grain. I’ve personally used the machine for all these tasks and it is amazing to watch. In fact I’m selling my juicer….sad, but this thing does all tasks and makes no waste. You utilize ever piece of every item you put in. “that’s what she said”. It tears through whole veggies and ice, turning them into a smoothie in seconds. From a nutritional perspective, when the machine is on high it is literally breaking through the cell wall of the nutrient rendering it in a perfect bio-available form. It breaks through the seeds of strawberries, nuts and even an avocado seed turning it to butter….with in these seeds are the power PHYTONUTRIENTS which wash the cells in body with powerful anti oxidants. It’s the next best thing to drinking the sun. Also you should note that through the process of mastication-(that’s chewing…lol...dirty minds)….your body cannot crew through the seeds of a strawberry. The only way to get it is these high-end blenders. other wise they end up whole, wasted and yes..you guessed it..i the toilet.

(* 1. Phytos protect the body and fight disease. One day while I was watching my garden grow, I wondered how plants stay so healthy. They don't wear sunscreen or a raincoat; they don't go to the doctor. The answer: they make their own disease-fighting chemicals we call phytochemicals - phytos for short.)

The blender vase or Container is made of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. it’s virtually unbreakable, chemical resistant and contains no BPA. This see-through, no-drip-spout container lets you witness the processing from start to finish, and it features raised calibrations so that you can easily measure ingredients in ounces, cups or metrics. For you this means when the container heats up, as other food processors do, no harmful chemicals are released into your food….yes, this is something we want to avoid.

Inside: Hardened stainless-steel blades with both hammermill and cutting surfaces that break down the food and ice inside the container to ensure consistently smooth results. What does this mean to me? Well there are 2 other high-end blenders on the market…. one which you have probably seen an infomercial for repe'd through Montel Williams and one by blendtech. Each of these machines operate on a cutting blade only….while the vitamix has two blades which are sharp and 2 built like a hammer for smashing apart seeds and nuts. Rendering a smoother drink and a better tasting smoothie or soup.

Now we are getting into the nuts and bolts of this thing…. Motor base.

Approximately 2 peak horsepower Swedish motor, custom-designed for Vita-Mix, 120 volt, 60 hz, 11.5 amps

120 Volt for North American Use Only

High-efficiency radial cooling fan

Thermal protection system to prevent overload and burnout

Low-friction ball-bearing motor built to last a lifetime

Heavy-duty, hide-away safety cord extends 19 inches to 6 feet and has a grounded 3-prong plug

wear-resistant base.

Like I said before…the other model that even comes close to the Vitamix is the blendtech…which advertises a 3 horse power motor….well I wouldn’t I want a 3 horse over a 2? Again in advertising, a deceiving tech is used to fool you face! The blendtech has 3 horsepower merely to keep it running cool…it’ never uses the full 3 horsepower. The Vitamix has a cooling face and a burnout resistant base, which does the task but using less power and less electric current. Thank you science.

Ok, If your still reading through the boring technical section of this article then I have to throw you a little shout out the growing number of people naturally treating themselves in the raw food vegan community and seeing results through optimal nutrition and the vitamix. In western medicine we commonly treat the symptoms but not cause. Food is something we put into our body every day. The cumulative effect of a diet over a span of a lifetime is one of the few things we control over. I know we are a milk and potatoes and red meat society, and I’m not asking anyone to change over night. But why not take a chance and start the day with a healthy green smoothie, or a lunch with some home made hummus, or a batch of healthy sweet potato soup. Maybe you’ll replace that addiction to McDonald’s with your own power drink and have more energy to do what you were meant to. Too deep? Anyways I could talk forever about why I think everyone should buy one of these machines. As always I’m always available for questions. Incidentally I bought a refurbished model for 370 bucks and they split it into 3 payments…..what!? I have never felt better, more energized, or more full of zip in my life. Also...370 is equivalent to three pair of designer jeans and tank of gas...and This thing will add years to your life! So…I’ll close with a few testimonial letters from people who have had some pretty amazing results with their machines. All my best…happy blending!

Michelle: dear Vitamix,  My husband had throat cancer and needed pureed foods and had a feeding tube for 4 months. The Vitamix, I believe, was a life saver! A friend had bought it for us. My husband, Greg, could get good organic food in him to do all the repair work his body needed in an easy way. Now, he is clean, healthy and continues to make power drinks every day!   My husband continues to amaze the doctors of his speedy recovery. Greg’s body has been built back up in such a strong way that he’s healthier than he was before he got sick.   I like being able to use the whole foods in its raw state, thereby getting all the fiber, nutrients and enzymes to improve and enhance our health. The Vitamix saved me time—I work many hours and being able to literally throw the food in the machine and flip a switch was great! I’m a real advocate of your machine and we’ve sold many people on the machine. I’ve given many recipes out to people that own it and have given mini classes on it."

"Dear Vitamix,  I had arthritis so bad I could hardly walk. Then I started making whole food juice in the Vitamix. I juice oranges, apples, bananas and pineapples every day.

I juice vegetables too. Now I do not take any medications, laxatives, or anything and I have no problems walking. I have had my Vitamix for over 6 years and there is no comparison.

I can’t put a price on what the Vitamix has done for my health."

Dear Vitamix,   Vitamix receives many compliments from satisfied users, but I wonder how many can say that whole foods prepared in their Vitamix actually helped save their life? I’m writing to tell you how strongly I believe it has been a major part of a near miraculous recovery from concurrent bouts with advanced cancer and heart disease.

In November 2000 I was simultaneously diagnosed with malignant melanoma and heart disease. The cancer was already at stage IV in the lymph system. The heart diagnosis showed 100% blockage in two arteries and 70% blockage in the other two. Six bypasses and three cancer surgeries followed in the next 32 days. The cancer and heart physicians wanted to put me on chemotherapy –interferon– a draconian treatment with minimal success rates.

I believed that God would heal the cancer and chose natural treatments instead of chemo or radiation. At first I tried chewing my way through the health maze, but it takes a special person who can sit long enough to eat more than 1 raw carrot. So I transitioned to juicing, but each morning took a half hour of rinsing, cutting, pushing, pulping, scraping and washing up just to get a small glass of juice. Plus, I was throwing out the most beneficial part, the fiber.

Then I heard about Vitamix, first, on the internet then at the home show. Your representative and the demonstrations were terrific and I practically ran home that night to start using my new Vitamix. For a week I experimented with heart & cancer formulas until I came up with the recipe that I now use each day. It includes healthy fruits, vegetables and supplements, tastes delicious, and actually fills me up so that I can skip an entire meal.

The results have been nothing short of miraculous. Through exercise, nutritional foods prepared in the Vitamix, and God’s healing grace, I’ve fully recovered from both maladies.

Now my day includes one to two Vitamix meals. Breakfast is a juice & veggie drink: 2 medium carrots, an apple, a wedge of cantaloupe, and maybe a banana or strawberry. Then a half tub of yogurt is spooned in, followed by a scoop or two of protein supplement. To help the mix, I usually pour in a cup of orange or pineapple juice, and always follow with ice cubes. Lastly, I toss in my “medications”, an aspirin and a fish oil capsule. After two minutes of mixing, I enjoy a delicious drink that feels so healthy I can picture it nourishing my body as it goes down.

It only takes 5 minutes to prepare, including the famous Vitamix quick rinse clean up And if time is short, I pour it in a go-cup and drink breakfast in the car on the way to work. A Vitamix breakfast is thick enough to feel satisfied until lunch, which was never the case with juicing. In the time it took to labor through chewing one carrot, I can drink an entire medley of fruits and veggies. An additional benefit is that the drink makes nearly a half gallon, which leaves some to store in the refrigerator for later in the day. (My doctor insists that each day a fresh drink is made from “living” vegetables and no leftovers.) Vitamix meals are so inexpensive that our grocery bills have actually gone down and my family shops the outside aisles now instead of the prepared food sections.

The results? Heart wise, I’m back working, running, and playing tournament tennis. My weight returned to normal and blood pressure and cholesterol readings are near perfect. And the melanoma? Regular CT scans and MRIs came up with almost flawless images. Less than eight months after surgeries, I played a two day tennis tournament (at 104 degrees!) and last winter I won the racquetball league championship at our local YMCA. What a great 55th birthday present! Life and Health!

From the beginning I believed that God could -- and would -- take care of me. It was accomplished through His miraculous healing, exercise, and nutritional eating with my Vitamix. So if someone ask me, “Can whole foods preparation in the Vitamix help a person recover from cancer and heart disease?”, I can wholeheartedly endorse it as a major part of my recovery."

("Lunch or dinner is dairy. Skim milk, soy powder, a tub of yogurt, about half a cup of various cereal favorites, and ice cubes. These are big meals, at least 32 ounces, yet they cost less than $2.00 each. And cleanup is a quick rinse – no pulp, stains, or dried yuck. If I’m in a hurry, it can’t be beat. The third meal is anything from burgers to peanut butter to pizza. No worries, and no problems with weight.")

Recovery and Less Pain with Cherries!

2010-09-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Take ten cherries and call me in the morning?!

“Slow down there Dr. Fred, I thought it was an apple?”…take a seat, read this and trust I come with tidings of joy. Joy to your body, muscles and joints!

As of late I’ve grown so tired of seeing those commercials with senior citizens living an active life, physically active and jumping around in elated joy! They have become the chorus line of the evening news, the examples of twilight years…you see a senior citizens in perpetual motion- jumping and hopping down the beach, heedless of arthritic knees, hips and shoulders, dancing, jogging and bicycling their way through a world populated exclusively by gleeful grandparents and loving grandchildren.

This is not a reality!

Take a look at you immediate family. I know we all know someone with arthritis especially in the dance community. I myself was prescribed Celebrex (a standard cox-2 inhibitor) about 4 years ago for an injury, a quick fix pill that my doctor….who was clearly being courted by an all too friendly pharmaceutical rep, and probably getting a free dinner for filling a quota of scripts.

To add insult to injury…..Recently a study came out in The Journal of the American Medical Association speculating on another downside to Celebrex, and viox-both cox-2 inhibitors…. sighting a small increase in the risk of “cardiovascular events,” including heart attacks and ischemic (clot-related) strokes. Doctors suspect this is because the drugs promote the formation of blood clots. This data came from several studies including some by the manufacturers themselves!

It has always been know that these cause internal bleeding if taken on an empty stomach and can create ulcers if taken long term, but my major problem is that for many of the recipients…they don’t work that well!!!!! In short, all arthritis is, is your body’s response to inflammation. Your body senses pain…sends the signal to your mind and thus you feel soreness. When this continues over time your body realizes you are not getting the message…so your joints, to buffer the pain….. actually starts to built a sort of crystallized bone to protect the joint, causing a smaller space for motion or rotation and after enough time you have grown bone on bone action. Painful!!!!!

Freddie…get to it already! Ok ok ok….So while at my physical therapists office last week, I hear someone mention , “tart dark cherry juice”….and being the budding nutritionist I am…my ears immediately perk up …then I hear him say….. “It’s the secret behind recovery times at the New York Giants.” For me…this is enough to start doing my own research! And look what I found..

  To start all types of cherries have some benefits, the ones that are receiving the most attention are the dark tart cherries. Attention focused on this fruit after a study carried out at the University of Michigan Health System showed some amazing health benefits of cherries.  

1. Overall general good health

When tart cherries in the form of a powder were given to mice, the animals showed a variety of important changes including lowering of blood sugar and insulin levels as well as a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The animals were also shown to have higher levels of antioxidant activity in their blood. These animals also showed lower fat deposition in the liver than those that didn't receive the cherry powder. Overall, this translated into a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition that's a forerunner to diabetes and heart disease.

2. The health benefits of cherries for pain relief..

Tart cherries have also been shown to reduce inflammation in animals and humans. They also may be helpful in relieving the pain associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and gout. Tart cherries have even been shown to reduce muscle discomfort after intense exercise…I’ve taken it for about a week after heavy lifting and have noticed a huge difference with recovery times. Scientifically, these cherries are working because they contain high concentrations of compounds called anthocyanins 1 and 2….. - These are antioxidants that block cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes3….working much like a natural Celebrex.  “The bottom line is that people who used tart cherry juice had less inflammation and faster muscle strength recovery,” said Kerry Kuehl, M.D. – see a doctor said it…it must be true…..

3. Cherries as a source for better ZZZzzzzz….ZZZZzzzz’s

Tart cherries are a good source of antioxidants including quercetin and melatonin, the hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle. In addition to promoting healthy sleep patterns; Melatonin is also used in supplement form to treat jet lag. Tart cherries are a natural way to add more melatonin to your diet.

4. Fighting Pre-Cancerous cells.

The anthocyanins found in tart cherries have affects similar to prescription anti-inflammatories. Like tart cherries, these drugs inhibit an enzyme known as Cox-2 which plays a role in the growth of some types of cancer. A study carried out in 2003 showed that tart cherries reduced the incidence of colon cancer in mice. It's believed the reduction in risk occurred as a result of the cherries inhibiting the Cox-2 enzyme. Although it's premature to extrapolate this to humans, it looks promising.

Dosing:

How should you consume the cherries?

You can purchase tart cherry juice or cherry juice concentrate at most grocery stores. According to the Cherry Marketing Institute, one 8-ounce glass equals about 100 cherries. 2 x a day. Or 3 if you feel like you need it. Also following a really intense workout.

Personal Experience

From a financial standpoint, I feel like it’s much more affordable to buy the concentrate. You can get a bottle to last a month or more…if you are taking it 2x a day. I like it first thing in the morning are right before bed. It really seems to help me wind down and relax. I have also noted a much sounder sleep, with less waking and turning throughout the night. I like the fact that cherry juice had all but replaced my need for Advil, (which I would never take anyways) but has really eased pain after an intense day at the gym or 2 dance classes. I have given this to my mother and grandmother, so you’d better believe I think it works!

Supporting articles

University of Oregon Kerry Kuehl, M.D

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2010/2010-07-07-tart-cherry-juice-r.cfm

http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/27582/cherries

La Times!

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/06/health/he-nutrition6

Be a super Hero with Immunoglobulin

2010-07-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

Alright…I know it’s been more than a fortnight since my last entry but Let’s face it, sometimes life takes over and we can’t always engage in the simple joys that make us feel whole. Luck for myself…and even more so for you… that time has come to an end. So I am back with an exciting new product and I‘ve been using for almost a month. Crack. No…that is a lie. Moving right along…now I know most of you would say I have a flair for the dramatic.as I am in the arts…I would consider this a correct statement…but this new protein I have been on is changing my life. I literally feel like I could lift a car ( ask the girls I lift over my head in a current production of Damn Yankees…there is no hesitation). I have always been one in the past who is not a big fan of over head lifts, but I’m currently doing 4 a show times 6 shows a week, 24 lifts a week over the head. And..as you can see, it has not hurt my math capabilities. And I feel great. Ok, enough bullshit…I know your now chomping at the bit for me to name this wonder tonic…well since you ask so politely…I’ll say it: Immunoglobulin protein. Now one time really slowly Imm-uno-glob-ulin ......

Let’s get technical baby! So Immunoglobulin are antibodies – proteins that your immune system uses to fight against intruding viruses and bacteria. Over 60 clinical studies have been published on the therapeutic effects of Immunoglobulin.

Check this article from the journal of American medicine:

http://www.pharmialabs.com/pdf/occidente/es/pharmiamuscle/bovine.pdf

This type of protein is a relatively new advancement in the market of protein supplementation and as always there is one company leading the way! www.lifehealthsecrets.com they offer many wonderful products containing the immunoglobulin protein but my favorite and the most beneficial for professional; athletes…is the I .N. Extreme Energy™ (formerly called Protein Extreme Energy -)

It’s an all-natural supplement for high performance athletes that provide the cellular energy and fast recovery you need to excel, time and time again. I.N. Extreme Energy works to cleanse and recharge your cells. Healthy cells are the foundation to a healthy body, and translate into more everyday energy, better sports performance and faster recovery. While the results are immediate, the benefits of taking I.N. Extreme Energy are enduring, keeping you energized and healthy for long-term success.

This next bit is taken directly from the web site…but I could not say it any better than they could!

Energize, Fortify, Protect and Cleanse your Cells with I.N. Extreme Energy

I.N. Extreme Energy is designed to promote healthy cells through at least four channels:

1. Energize your cells by building your electron transfer system and the fuel for cellular energy

2. Fortify your cells by countering free radical damage and destructive molecules that can lead to muscle fatigue, DNA damage and lower energy production.

3. Protect your cells by supporting a healthy inflammatory response and stem chronic inflammation that can damage cell and joint function.

4. Cleanse your cells by unclogging cellular receptor sites at the ’docking stations’ where cells receive nutrients, which can get easily overloaded and harm cell function.

“It provides two and one-half times the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) found in colostrum, and fifteen times that found in whey isolate. IgG responds against pro-inflammatory cytokines, binding to pathogens and protecting the body from their effects. It has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines by up to 95%, resulting in significant improvement in colon health and a systemic reduction of whole body inflammation. This is especially significant when you consider that 75% of the diseases linked to aging are caused by inflammation initiated in the colon.

Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is structurally similar on a molecular level to insulin, and has an anabolic effect in the human body, improving lean muscle mass. IGF-1 has been shown to activate pathways that stimulate cell growth and multiplication, inhibit cell death and regulate cellular DNA synthesis. It also increases the transport of amino acids into muscle cells throughout the body. According to a 2007 study from the Netherlands of 376 men between the ages of 73 and 94 years, those with higher levels of IGF-1 lived longer and had a lower risk of cardiovascular complications.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) is anti-inflammatory, and is an important regulator of the immune system.

As a protein source, our immunoglobulins are slowly released in the body after ingestion, preventing the kidney stress often associated with other proteins.

Overall, immunoglobulins have also been shown to help improve liver function, leading to a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol. A recent study found that men and women with moderately high cholesterol, 210 to 270 total count, had a 6% drop in total cholesterol after just three weeks of taking an immunoglobulin supplement. More importantly, LDL cholesterol, or the "bad" cholesterol most closely associated with heart disease, decreased by 7% while HDL, the "good" cholesterol, remained constant.

What I’ve felt:

Increased strength and physical agility in a little over a month. A more intense sound nights sleep. A better ability to focus throughout the day. Quicker recovery time from hard training days and an over feeling of good health!

Dosing:

This specific product is packed with anti-inflammatory elements such as turmeric, royal jelly, mushrooms caps, and coconut oil...all specifically balanced to heal your insides, and let your body then in turn heal itself. So it is in a perfect state as is....don't add fruit or milk or anything else...and please taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Give yourself about 20 mins. before eating anything else!

p.s. I recommend the coco flavor as opposed to vanilla!

As always I am not a medical doctor…though I have played on onstage. These recommendations are purely that and please consult a physician before embarking on any extreme change in diet or exercise regime!

Enzymes for a better life!

2010-03-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Kids, it’s been a few weeks but I’m back and with some great new information. Traveling around the globe you tend to meet some great people and collect some even better Health tips. When I go out of town and am newly united with a new group of actors (yes…I perform musical theater) I’m quick to ask people to reveal their secret health tips and miracle cures. Whether it’s passed down from a great aunt or a grandmother or a newly found trend that seems to really work for them, I always listen with a special intensity. I’ve found that health information from the front lines is the absolute best; it’s real, practical and not motivated by a drug company. So, back to my new find! I have recently come across a wonderfully talented Broadway performer who loves life after supplementing with Proteolytic enzymes. Cutting straight to the case, a Definition for you, Proteolytic enzymes (proteases) help you digest the proteins in food. Although your body produces these enzymes in the pancreas, certain foods also contain proteolytic enzymes. Papaya and pineapple are two of the richest plant sources, as attested by their traditional use as natural "tenderizers" for meat. That’s as simple as I can explain it. We’ll Freddie, “doesn’t my body already do this?” And I would say,” Yes, yes it does…but over time our bodies ability to break down food lessens, we absorb fewer nutrients that are required for proper cellular regeneration and in turn, great energy is required to make the same machine run. It’s a vicious cycle. So I began to read about this supplement….and as I said before, I will not recommend something until I try it. So, as I’m ordering my bottle of Proteolytic enzymes I keep coming upon its use in sports medicine, which really starts to spark my interest. (You know how I love the games) I did some digging…here is what I found!

Enzyme use in the OLYMPICS

Was anyone on board with me in watching the last winter Olympics in February? (It’s no secret that if you caught my facebook status it’s one of my favorite sporting events of all time.) Now if you happened to watch the NBC special coverage, documenting the athletes training video’s you’ll see that most contestants lifted weights at least 2 hours a day, ran over an hour of cardio in the am and pm, and then trained in their individual event for up to anther 6 hours. I remember seeing this and wonder how their bodies were not breaking down. W.T.F? In fact, quite the opposite was happening…they were getting stronger. I dug deeper…Well it just so happens almost every athlete on that Olympic team was supplementing with some type of digestive enzyme. The therapeutic effectiveness of enzymes is well understood in sports medicine. Do you know that millions and millions of enzyme capsules are sent to the Olympic training camp for both the German and Austrian teams to aid the athletes in stamina and quick healing…. it would appear the proof is in the pudding. Proteases are also of interest because of their ability to support, enhance, and regulate the circulatory and immune systems – factors that help optimize workouts and muscle maintenance.

During training, the risk of muscle injury and deterioration is possible…in fact when you life heavy weight your essentially making micro tears in the muscle, which then repair themselves, and thus the muscle grows larger. One issue is when proper recovery time is not taken or sufficient nutrients are not available for fuel, injuries happen. People get sore and take Advil or a few Tylenol… the issue with some pain relievers is that they may not actually decrease the inflammation or promote healing. By lessening the pain response, you may simply not feel the pain, but risk re-injuring the muscle again before it has adequately recovered. Sports injuries are often treated with protease enzymes because of their ability to effectively reduce inflammation and at the same time speed the real healing of bruises, swelling, and other injuries. “A study conducted by Dr. M.W. Kliene in 1990 on the effectiveness of proteolytic enzymes in 100 athletes reported a 'good' success rate in 76 percent of those that took enzymes compared to only 14 percent of the placebo subjects.”

How and why enzymes work?

When your body is aided in enzyme supplementation for food breakdown, suddenly your body can put energy into other uses…like muscle building and stamina. Your body does not need to put its own raw materials and energy into digestion or producing the needed enzymes. Getting a boost in overall energy is a characteristic 'side-effect' of starting enzymes. Natural enzyme production decreases with age so digestive enzymes are suggested for anyone over 35 years of age as general rule. Supplementing with plant-based enzymes is preferable over animal derived ones when possible. Pancreatic enzymes are destroyed by the stomach acid and must be protected (enterically coated) to reach the small intestine. Once in the small intestine they are released and begin the work of food breakdown. Plant enzymes are much more stable at different pH levels and temperatures. They are perfectly happy in the acidic stomach environment and begin food breakdown there. Food can be digesting for a good 60 minutes or more in the stomach before the food passes to the intestines (where plant enzymes continue working). Since nutrients are absorbed in the intestines, not in the stomach, this prolonged enzyme activity greatly enhances digestion. Nutrients are ready to be absorbed when they enter the intestines instead of waiting for food breakdown to start. Metabolism is optimized and your body's resources and energy are free for other tasks, such as muscle building or burning fat. Who wouldn’t want this???

Eating every 3-4 hours along with plant enzymes may enhance this steadier uptake of nutrients, essentially setting-up a natural 'time-released' system. It is an effective way to get the most out of whole foods or supplements. “Research shows that nutrition from whole food sources is preferable and better utilized by the body than synthetic counterparts. Whole foods are 'packaged' by nature for optimal use when eaten and science has yet to duplicate this. “

What is an enzyme?

Enzymes are proteins produced by all living organisms, and, like all proteins, they consist of amino acids. What makes enzyme proteins different is how they behave in the body. By definition= enzymes are catalysts that make many essential biochemical reactions ‘happen’ without being used up or chemically altered in the process. “As a catalyst, they help a chemical reaction take place quickly and efficiently. Eventually, the enzyme will wear out and the body uses the component amino acids as they would any amino acid resource.” Another way to get enzymes is by eating a raw food diet….now; unfortunately many of us do not have the luxury of doing this. In the early hunter/gatherer way of living we had a wide array of natural enzymes being consumed on a regular basis. But the modern day food preparation, preservatives combined in our food and the good old microwave destroys many of these that are naturally occurring!

Studies and enzymes in the News

(1) Enzymes tend to have the net effect of regulating body fat into an appropriate range for the individual. As long ago as 1932, *Sansum published results on weight from a number of cases at the Potter Metabolic Clinic. Of 197 individuals who were underweight, 91 percent improved by gaining weight with enzymes. Of 29 individuals who were overweight, 93 percent improved by losing weight. Of the 54 individuals who started at an appropriate normal weight, 100 percent (all of them) remained at a constant weight.

(2) http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/clinical_pearls.htm

Proteolytic detoxification and cancer prevention study

(3) http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=44610

(4) http://www.articleant.com/gen/13372-school-of-medicine-researchers-learn-more-about-a-key-enzyme-inv.html

Dosing

Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules, 2-3 times per day at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. May be taken before and after strenuous exercise to speed recovery. More may be taken as needed.

My summary paragraph has to be one of praise. I have personally taken this supplement for a little less than a month and I have to say I feel great. My energy is up, I feel stronger and my mind is sharper. I’ve been putting up much stronger weight in the gym and running a faster mile with far less fatigue. I have noticed my hearing has been very sensitive…a common side effect which is supposed to regulate. And my dreams have been incredibly vivid, which as an artist I have kind of enjoyed. For my new product rating I give proteolytic enzymes an 8.5 out of ten and I plan to update this blog in 2 months once more time has passed!

As always here's my suggestion for one of the best in the market. It's the brand that I have chosen.

**Please remember that I am neither a doctor, nor a scientist - just a health geek that reads a lot and comes to my own conclusions, so take what I say with a good dose of skepticism, just as I think one should of what anyone tells you, including your doctor and your government. Do your own research and make up your own mind about what feels right for you.

Quercetin.....rev up those engines!

2010-02-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

I’d like to begin this issue with a big thank you to everyone who has written or called or spoken to me in person about this blog. It was my new year’s resolution to do something selfless for someone every day, and your positive reinforcement has only fueled my drive to supply my friends out there with quality information to make their lives better, longer and of greater quality…that being said, let’s get to the good stuff!

Well, what is the word of the day? Quercetin, that’s right…let’s say it one more time Quercetin! It is part of the coloring found in the skins of apples and red onions. It has been isolated and has been sold as a dietary supplement for years but as of late this dietary supplement has gained new buzz because of it’s use in Lance Armstrong’s new supper energy supplement product FRS, you’ve probably seen a commercial for it the last few months, but your about to see more…. let’s break it down!

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid (a bioflav. Is a fancy term for the color of a pigment in fruit that is very health for you!) Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found mainly in red wine grapefruit, onions, apples and black tea.

Quercetin protects cells in the body from damage by free radicals. Quercetin might help protect against heart attacks as well as strokes.

Quercetin may also help prevent immune cells from releasing histamine, the chemical that initiates the itching, sneezing, and swelling of an allergic reaction. Thus, quercetin is often recommended as a treatment for allergies such as hay fever, hives, eczema and asthma.

My personal experience has in fact been very positive. I have always been allergic to dust and really been affected by cats…. little fuckers. I’ve taken Quercetin mixed with vitamin C, (it makes it more bio-available) and I haven’t had a scratchy throat when cleaning my apt. and I slept in the same bed as my brother cat, Stephen, and felt only a mild sniffle, where as in the past I would have been d-y-i-n-g. Please note as always, while I have played a medical doctor onstage, (see resume- www.freddiekimmel.com) in real life, I am not one, and my recommendations are purely that…recommendations. But, I will say… I love it. Also I have noticed an addition endurance factor at the gym and in dance class. Hence I give it four stars out of four! Here’s some data to back up the hype pigglet’s!

BENEFITS OF QUERCETIN; RESEARCH FINDS

ALLERGY -Asthma incidence was lower at higher quercetin intakes. The flavanoid quercetin addresses the inflammatory component of asthma. Studies have shown that quercetin prevents certain immune cells from releasing histamine. Histamine is a chemical that triggers an allergic reaction. [1-4]

INFLAMMATION -One small double blind, placebo-controlled study has found preliminary evidence that quercetin might help prostatitis, an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. Another small double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed quercetin

Supplementation reduced symptoms of interstitial cystitis [6]

ENDURANCE- a study by researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health shows the powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compound found in fruits and vegetables significantly boosts endurance capacity and maximal oxygen capacity (VO2max) in healthy, active but untrained men and women. (For the study, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Defense, 12 participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Half were given 500 mg of quercetin twice a day in Tang for seven days. The other subjects drank Tang with placebos. After the seven days of treatment, during which the subjects were told not to alter their physical activity, the participants rode stationary bicycles to the point of fatigue.

Researchers also tested their additional VO2max, one of the most important measures of fitness. Then the participants received the opposite treatment for another seven days before riding the bicycle to the point of fatigue and VO2max tests. Neither the participants nor the research staff knew who received the quercetin Tang or the placebo Tang, and all subjects took part in the quercetin and placebo treatments.

“The participants were healthy, relatively active, college-age students, but they were not physically trained athletes, and they were not taking part in a regular exercise training program,” he said.

The results: After taking quercetin for only seven days, the participants had a 13.2 percent increase in endurance and a 3.9 percent increase in VO2max.)

This is why I so recommend trying this, especially for dancers…. and it’s very cheap…in it’s pure form!

Dosing/ Instructions

General supplementation for adults is 100 to 250 mg three times per day. I personally take 500 mg 2 times a day in capsule form, also I take a brand that includes vitamin C, and like I said before, it just helps your body absorb the supplement better!

Live long and prosper!

Here Fishy, Fishy ....Oil!

2010-01-29T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hey, how are you? I’m feeling great..... You wanna know why? Well, there are three reasons actually…Number 1. I went to the gym today and did a killer back workout…(insert shit eating grin) Number 2. I ate about four square meals consisting of organic vegetables, complex carbs and protein! And most importantly….Number 3. I’ve just taken my second daily teaspoon of arctic fish Oil! Ladies and Gentlemen I know It’s hard to believe that week after week I can recommend A supplement more fantastic than the next, but this week I feel I’ve got to put the Golden Stamp, Four star, Seal of Approval on any kind of fish oil you can add to your diet……Here's why.

Fish Oil is time tested and Mother-nature approved…. it's a very effective nutrient because it contains two of the most important omega 3 fatty acids that can be absorbed easily. EPA and DHA which play a crucial role in the development of normal brain function....but hold the phone…how many of you have heard the term Omega 3, and read it, passed it over, and then said to yourself," what the fuck is an omega three?"…..well here we go kids…

“Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are fatty acids that cannot be constructed within the human body and therefore must be obtained from the diet. EFAs are significant, and are termed essential, because they are required for our bodies' biological processes, and not just for fuel.

There are are two families of EFAs: omega-3s, and omega-6s. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for cell membrane fluidity and neuronal signal transduction.

The most widely available source of omega-3s is cold water oily fish such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

There are about 7 major benefits supported by scientific data. Here is the veritable laundry list of positives your body can expect as well as some links to supported double blind studies:

http://www.imakenews.com/vitalchoiceseafood/e_article000396928.cfm?x=b3B8T9N,b1WDcdgD,w

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/21/2747 (American Heart association)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/health/31iht-fishoil31.15772043.html

(New York Times)

1. Less Pain and Inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

2. Cardiovascular Health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.

3. Protection from Stroke and Heart Attack. When plaque builds up on arterial walls and then breaks loose, it causes what's known as a thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying clot. If a clot gets stuck in the brain, it causes a stroke and when it plugs an artery, it causes a heart attack. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids break up clots before they can cause any damage.

4. Better Brain Function and Higher Intelligence. Pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil. For adults, omega 3 improves memory, recall, reasoning and focus. You'll swear you're getting younger and smarter. See the first link I posted which links this miracle oil to improved behavioral problems in children with ADD! All you moms out there can clearly benefit with a more docile, well mannered brat…..(please, at least when they are throwing tantrums behind me on the escalator in the mall)

5. Less Depression and Psychosis. Making you smarter is not all omega 3 does for your brain. Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield, along with many other research studies, found that omega 3 fish oil supplements "alleviate" the symptoms of depression, bipolar and psychosis (Journal of Affective Disorder Vol. 48(2-3);149-55).

http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/fish-oil-to-treat-depression I’ve come across this more than once…..If your feeling blue, try a teaspoon 2x a day and you may be able to counter act depression.

6. Lower Incidence of Childhood Disorders. Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

7. Reduction of Breast, Colon and Prostate Cancer. And finally, omega 3 fish oil has been shown to help prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that omega 3s accomplish this in three ways. They stop the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous mass, inhibiting unwanted cellular growth and causing apoptosis, or cellular death, of cancer cells.

So If you still aren’t sold, Imagine adding a possible ten years to your life....it comes from the earth, it's not pushed by a pharmaceutical l company and it's a cheap alternative to heart surgery....

Side effects of fish oil

One risk of fish oil omega-3 supplementation may be heavy metal poisoning if the body accumulates heavy metals such as mercury and lead from poorly refined fish oil supplements. The fish oil industry has successfully improved the quality of fish oils on the market. An independent test in 2006 of 42 fish oils on the US market by www.consumerlab.com found that all of the products exceeded safety standards for potential contaminants.

This is good news. It means we can enjoy fish oil benefits without fear of heavy metal poisoning. However, if heavy metals or other contaminants continue to concern you, seek out a reputable brand that provides some guarantee on purity and some information on their refining process.

Dosing

Try a dose of 1 gram a day. Go up to 2 after a month if you do not feel any benefits.

An interesting feature of the studies outlined above is that many different doses were used - from 1 to 9 grams. Overall, it seems that the lower doses are just as effective. This means you can probably get fish oil benefits from just 1 gram per day. Also I recommend the actual oil as compared to the pile form it tends to be absorbed more efficiently by the body...

This is best tasting and most affordable Oil I have found. Completely heavy metal free and pretty odorless.

One More Note* Be sure to buy the FISH OIL, not Cod liver oil, which has an unfavorable ratio of vitamin A to vitamin D.....

*Please remember that I am neither a doctor, nor a scientist - just a health geek that reads a lot and comes to my own conclusions, so take what I say with a good dose of skepticism, just as I think one should of what anyone tells you, including your doctor and your government. Do your own research and make up your own mind about what feels right for you.

The Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar

2010-01-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Alright.....Maybe you have heard of "Grandpa Joe" Soaking his arthritic finger in apple cider Vinegar or maybe it was your crazy aunt May who toted this ancient cider as a miracle cure for the common cold, well I'm here to fill you in on what I believe to be one of the cheapest of most valuable supplements I have incorporated into my diet in the last 2 years! Obviously many of you, probably all are without a relative with either of these fictional names, but I know many have heard the name "apple cider Vinegar" in some Old wives tale and its potent medical benefits. As far as the medical community is concerned, ACV has no such properties...well that's true, because why would anyone want you to benefit from a drink that runs at an average cost of 2$ a week!

What is it?!
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.

"Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. ..... This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only Natural Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7."(1) Basically what you are looking for , and getting with this specific vinegar is the cloudy like haze in the bottom of the container...it kinda looks like a thunderstorm going on in the glass, but this is what I, and many others believe delivers benefits of this cider!
Now let's get to the good stuff....what this stuff can deliver!
First I'll write from my own experience...
When I finished 4 rounds of chemo in 2007 I was experiencing extreme fatigue and pain in both my knees and hands. My body hurt from all the drugs and extreme shock my system was put through in undergoing cancer treatment. Initially my doctor put me on 25 mg of indomethacin 2x a day. This powerful anti-inflammatory only made matters worse while offering only minimal relief from the pain I was experiencing and could feel myself becoming dependent on a drug that I would probably have to take for the rest of my life. I remember reaching a moment when this reality simply became .....unacceptable, and I began researching body detoxification options, Natural cleanse, and up popped an article about ACV. I simply walked over to the local health foods store, "westerly market" and bought my first bottle. Now we all know I'm an actor, and can be dramatic, but with in 4 days I ca n honestly say I felt fifty percent better. I noticed my energy improving, I felt more awake, the pain in my hands and knees subsided and after two weeks I stopped taking my prescription. I have never stopped taking it, because well, it's vinegar...it's not going to hurt you and the more time goes buy, the more I read to support my strong and positive reaction to ACV. here's a study I just can across...mostly touting it as a weight loss and fat flush...but at least the medical community is giving it some notice!

"University East in Mesa suggests that vinegar packs a punch in more than just salad dressings. Now, instead of merely being touted as a stout cleanser of the body when taken internally, it also has been shown to have beneficial effects towards weight loss and stabilizing blood sugar in non-diabetics. " In Prevention of Diabetes "Johnston’s study showed it had a stabilizing effect on blood sugar on people who were not diabetic. The stabilizing effect was most pronounced on pre-diabetics whose blood glucose-levels were almost cut in half. In fact, the effectiveness was comparable to that of the diabetic medication" Metformin". A Swedish research team, led by Elin M. Östman, discovered that the benefits of vinegar can be reaped by other methods as well. Participants in a study ate pickles after a high-carb breakfast and the other participants did not. It was shown that even pickles had a beneficial effect on the blood glucose levels. Other studies soon followed and it was shown that people who take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before two meals each day lost an average of a half pound each week. It is speculated that it inhibits carbohydrate absorption. The chemical suspected of creating this effect is the acetic acid. Due to the cringe-worthy sourness of vinegar, however, many companies have tried to formulate pill forms of vinegar. The effectiveness of the pills are highly questionable in general, though, and people are encouraged to stay with the true vinegar, instead. An average half pound weekly weight loss would result in an overall average weight loss of 26 pounds in one year. A size-able loss if you can stand the procedure."
Now I'm going to post some of the other supposed benefits of this supplement, I am not a medical doctor although I have played one onstage...ha. ha. ha.
But i do feel the benefits of taking vinegar outweigh the risks...after all, it's vinegar, what do you have to loose!

Weight Loss

While it is not known why, many people claim that ACV. Some theories suggest that ACV helps to speed up the metabolism, while others suggest that it burns calories. A number of nutritionists also believe that combining Vitamin B6 and Lecithin with Apple Cider Vinegar is highly effective for weight loss. A suggested remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed with a glass of water and drink this before every meal or sip it slowly throughout the day

Bad Breath

Due to its acidic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 1/2 tablespoon of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective Body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Stomach Problems

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation.

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes. Visit our Diabetes Remedies page to learn more about how ACV can be used to treat this condition.

What are the Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar?

There are no major known side effects of Apple Cider Vinegar when used in moderation. However, drinking vinegars, acids or even lemon juices on a regular basis can lead to a deterioration of dental enamel. This can give your teeth a yellowish look and make them more sensitive to heat and cold. To prevent this, the vinegar should always be diluted with water or a pinch of baking soda should be added in order to reduce the acidity level.
Finally, I recommend buying the gallon...it will last long..i mean months and months and it's a better value, but if you wanna try the smaller size here's the 32-oz. option.

Directions: Now I've mentioned it a few times but i use about 2 tablespoons in about 8 oz. of water. Once in the morning and once at night. You can also add a table spoon of honey to cut the taste. I also drink it with a straw with is better for your teeth as the acidity can be bad for your teeth. Bur brushing them afterwards will give you the same benefit! As always enjoy and I hope you take the time to do something good for your body today!

P.s. Don't buy the ACV vinegar pills from the vitamin store...they are proven to not work as good!

The Miracle of MSM

2010-01-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

Alright here we go kids! It's time for the doctor to speak, I've talking about writing this thing for weeks and I'm finally going to do it, even though the Cardnial/Saints game in on the T.V......I just feel this is more important! ( that's right...I do musical theater, but I still enjoy football...it happens).
Like I said in my little blog description since I was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 I have completely over hauled my eating habits, workout regime and vitamin intake. I've learned a lot and I think the best thing I can do is share some of the valuable info with my friends!
First product I'm going to whole heartedly endorse is MSM...which stands for Methylsulfonylmethane. If your looking for a basic description of what it is...it's a type of Sulfur. For those of you who are still wanting more info...let's take a look at what this miracle powder does. Methylsulfonylmethane is a relatively new dietary supplement form of sulfur that is found in our living tissues. MSM supports healthy connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscle. Thus, it is important in conditions such as arthritis, muscle pains, bursitis, etc. MSM should be considered an integral part of any health care practice because of its physiological action, indirect importance, and current / future uses.
Now I can guarantee if you walk into a doctors office and say your in pain, or your shoulder hurts, or your back is sore your general practitioner are gonna prescribe your an over the counter anti -inflammatory or something much more severe. These med's such as advil, naproxen, and even tylenol tear apart your stomach and actually hinder your bodies natural ability to heal itself. MSM on the other hand..........has a unique action on body tissues. It decreases the pressure inside the cell. In removing fluids and toxins, sulfur affects the cell membrane. MSM is an organic form of sulfur, whereas sulfites in foodstuffs are inorganic. AS human beings we have "sulfur is present in all cells" and is in the form of "organic compounds throughout the body.
I have recommended this supplement to many an achy dancer in the last year and have had some friends with some really great results. A gymnast with a partial tear in his MCL, a former ballet company dancer with some knee issues , and one of my best friends who needed some reconstructive surgery after a bad motorcycle accident.....All experiencing great pain relief and a return to more strenuous physical activity.
Usage: Best to start with between 500 mg daily. This for about one week and then rise to 1000 mg daily and take this for a week. Go on like this for several weeks adding 500 mg at one time, until you are taking 10 grams daily. This will makes up for the years of deficiency that your body has experienced. Then reduce the amount to a maintenance level for whatever works for you. This is a balance between addressing what you want to address and being able to sleep as well as you would like at night. For most people the maintenance level is between 1 and 2 teaspoons (4000 to 8000 mg) per day. Always drink LOTS of water when starting on MSM or when increasing the amount you are taking.
Detoxing: MSM enables your cells and tissues to release toxins that have built up over the years. Apparently sulfur is a vital part of our waste management system, and if we have not had enough of it our bodies were not able to release some of the waste substances. If you take too much MSM, your body will release too much waste at one time for your kidneys and liver to handle. This waste in your blood stream can cause all kinds of problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to re-experiencing the effects of drugs that you have taken in the past. For example, heavy caffeine users may feel extra-jittery. The key to reducing or eliminating detox symptoms is to start on MSM slowly so that the waste in your tissues is released slowly and to drink lots of water so that the released toxins will be flushed out of your body quickly. I also advise not to take your second teaspoon of the day after 6pm or it can affect the way you sleep. I know when i started I was up all night, i felt like superman....but I was up all night! So If your needing a natural alternative to over the counter pain meds, and want some extra energy, and want to add a boost your New years resolution of a Health lifestyle......
I'll post two links to cheap options on the internet that your can get way cheaper than the vitamin store!

Ohhhhh...so if your going to take the powder it's best in just oj or tomato juice! I just put it in water......Keep in mind there are things that taste better in the world! Best of Luck!