Natural Nutmeg June 2012 by Natural Nutmeg Magazine/Essential Naples Magazine

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Connecticut's Resource For Living Naturally

It’s the Potential Bernie Siegel, MD

Men’s Health: Reversing Testosterone Loss Paul D. Tortland, DO

Are You Anxious or Depressed? It Could be Genetic Jared M. Skowron, ND Michelle Hessberger, ND What Kind of Healthcare Do You Buy? Ann Aresco, ND Are You Unhappy and Don’t Know What to Do? Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME

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“How To Get 8 To 10 New Patients Per Month” Attend A FREE Advertisers Workshop Hosted By Dr. Diane Hindman and Josh Gardner

This FREE Advertising Workshop Teaches You:

“I attended this workshop to learn "That's 52 patients a year from how to increase our patient base. I’m one ad and is the most I've seen walking away with so much more! out of one marketing medium Who knew that a simple question could in my entire time practicing." change the way I’m thinking about all facets of our marketing. This was a great use of my time!”

The 5 Easiest Ways to Attract New Patients Proven Layouts for ¼, ½ and Full Page Ads How To Write Headlines That Sell How To Use Images With Story Appeal How To Look Instantly Credible How To Show Your Integrity and Expertise How To Use Testimony To Drive Response How To Create Irresistible Offers And much, much more. For 3 hours, you will work one-on-one with a direct marketing expert responsible for creating $11,531,323 in advertisements and generating 532,889 appointments for his clients. There are very limited seats due to the personal attention we give to each participant. Because we give away (1) FREE proven layouts, (2) FREE trackable 800 numbers and a (3) FREE guide to web marketing, this workshop fills up quickly. Your only commitment is to place an ad in the next issue of Natural Nutmeg. “By attending this workshop, I have a clear picture of how“I get a very consistent response from to market myself properly. I learned valuable infor inforNatural Nutmeg readers. This equates to 1 mation about what to do and what NOT to do in order student/month = $15k/total tuition per to not make any more mistakes and waste money.”

student for my 2 year program.

Lilia Erlikh-Dergunov, CHHC

Leslie Cahill, The Graduate Institute Lilia’s Wellness

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

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CT Natural Health Gina Wrinn, CT School of IMT

“Just 3-4 hours with Josh, Diane and “I average about 1 new patient crew dramatically increased my una week from my Natural derstanding of how to reach potential Nutmeg ad. It’s an amazing clients. I am now very excited adverresponse to a print ad. ” to adver tise in Natural Nutmeg!”

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Register Now At NutmegWorkshop.com and fill out the form. Remember: every dollar you spend with us is guaranteed. If you don’t get response, we will gladly refund your money with no questions asked.

Simply Call 860-206-9500 “Josh’s workshop was educational, informative and fun“I see 2 new patients per month from my and I would have loved it to be a full day! As a new Natural Nutmeg ad. I charge $200 for the practitioner, I gained invaluable knowledge about how first visit, with most $100 repeat visits every to market my business successfully.”

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Susan Reis-Renvyle, RN, LMHC

Jared Skowron, ND Holistic Health Counseling

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NaturalNutmeg.com

Featured Content Men’s Health: Reversing Testosterone Loss

ur mission is to provide valuable insight, information and resources that will allow our readers to maintain a healthy, active, sustainable lifestyle. Natural Nutmeg contains timely information on natural health, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, and the products and services that support good health.

Paul D. Tortland, DO 12

Are You Anxious or Depressed? It Could be Genetic Jared M. Skowron, ND Michelle Hessberger, ND, MS, LAc 18 Are You Unhappy and Don’t Know What to Do? Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 24

12 18

PUBLISHERS

Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com

Editor-in-Chief

Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com

What Kind of Healthcare Do You Buy? Ann Aresco, ND 31

Departments News&Notes 6

ADVERTISING SALES Advertising@naturalnutmeg.com

ADVISORY BOARD

Ann Aresco, N.D. Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. Debra Gibson, ND Andrew Gregory, DC Lauren Gouin, ND Kenneth Hoffman, LAc, CCH David Johnston, DO Roberta Kline, MD Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N Tom Moorcroft, D.O.

Prescription for Living Bernie Siegel, MD 11

Natural Nutmeg Magazine

Healthy Self 21 Know Your Herbs 36 Supplements 101 37 Doctor’s Notes 40 Calendar 44 Resources 47 4

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860)206-9500 Fax (860)263-8505

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Natural Nutmeg is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers and distributed throughout Connecticut. Please call for a location near you. (860) 206-9500 or email to publisher@naturalnutmeg.com.

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© 2007-12 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights reserved. Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that permission be obtained in writing. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your feedback.

publisher'sletter

re you answering the call of your soul? Many of you may wonder what exactly this means, but it’s simply doing what you are truly passionate about and loving life every day. That’s how you know you are in direct communication with your soul and listening to the guidance it has for you. Likewise, you also know or should be aware that when you are unhappy, when you lack passion for your work or relationships, when you have no identifiable purpose in life and no hope for the future, you are not aligned with your soul’s purpose. It’s that simple. Your soul wants nothing more than for you to have a long, happy, and fulfilling life. I find that most people clearly know whether or not they are in harmony with their soul’s purpose. That’s not the challenge. The challenge is figuring out exactly what the soul’s purpose is if you know you’re not aligned with it. Many of us look to others to tell us what our purpose is or should be. You will never find your soul’s purpose looking outside of yourself. It is something that is so personal, so innate and so singularly tied to who you are and what you will become, that no one else can ever tell you what it is. So, how do you find your purpose, which essentially is answering the call of your soul? First, it bears mention that your purpose may change throughout your lifetime. And you may have several purposes that you fulfill simultaneously. Finding your purpose can seem to be a daunting task. It’s also important to keep in mind that finding your purpose may require a lot of in depth exploration into your past and into who you are today. I’ve found that life coaching can be invaluable in helping people who are really stuck open their minds to new possibilities and opportunities. You may need to spend time in solitude to meditate and listen to your intuition, which is a way your soul sends you messages about purpose. Some other strategies to use include: 1. Examine Your Past. List 3 times in your life when you were excited and passionate about what you were doing in your career or personal life. 2. Investigate the Common Themes. What commonalities can you draw from the times you were most passionate. 3. Keep it Simple and Expect it to Happen. Many people think their purpose should be this big, grandiose thing. Dreams are usually big and extravagant, but purpose is typically simple. Dreams are the world of the ego, while purpose is the world of the soul. Maintain a mentality of expectation. If you expect to find your purpose, you will. In health and happiness,

We are dedicated to the health of your pet and your peace of mind. A compassionate and professional veterinarian is key to having a healthy pet. For over 20 years, our practice has treated and cared for thousands of animals from cats to cows, dogs to horses and goats, sheep and more. Our friendly and professional staff offers the latest traditional and holistic medical treatments, including: Acupuncture • Chiropractic • Therapeutic Laser Stewart “Chip” Beckett, DVM Jennifer Webb, DVM Beckett & Associates Veterinary Services 1269 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 860.659.0848 • www.beckettvet.net NaturalNutmeg.com

news & notes Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist Join New England Integrative Health Associates

ew England Integrative Health Associates (NEIHA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kara Burkhart, N.D., LAc. has joined its staff. Dr. Burkhart practices Naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Acupuncture. Her practice focus is on women’s health including infertility and menopause, autoimmune disease, Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Lyme Disease, allergies, migraine, Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel disorders, pain and sleep disorders. Beginning May 3, Dr. Burkhart will host a $5 Introductory Yoga Class program at the NEIHA studio/instructional room in Bishop’s Corner. The program will run from May 3 through July 19 and will be hosted by Dr. Burkhart. Each class will be taught by a yoga instructor from a local studio providing an introduction to different yoga styles. The suggested donation of $5 will benefit the Junior League of Hartford Backpack Program. The JLH oversees the Backpack Program at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. Dr. Burkhart holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies, Botany, from the University of Vermont, a Masters of Science in acupuncture and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington where she also completed her Clinical Residency. For more information regarding $5 Yoga, visit http://neihact.com/services-2/yoga. Dr. Burkhart may be reached at (860) 278-3812 or kburkhart@neihact.com. NEIHA is located in Bishop’s Corner, 345 North Main St. in West Hartford.

WHOA Foods, SLOW Foods, GO! Foods... Adults 50+ Teach Youngsters to Eat Healthier

t’s an age-old problem. You know your children should be eating more fruits, vegetables and lower-fat foods, but how do you convince them to push away the french fries and doughnuts in favor of an apple or carrot sticks? The answer? At two schools here in Hartford, a number of adults 50 and older are volunteering their time and knowledge to teach kids the difference between WHOA foods, SLOW foods and GO! Foods. They are part of CATCH Healthy Habits, a unique intergenerational health program which pairs adults 50-plus with children to encourage healthier eating and physical activity. Current program sites include the Global Communications Academy on Greenfield Street and at the Batchelder Elementary School on New Britain Ave. There are plans to expand to more sites in the summer and fall. The volunteers work with children in kindergarten through the fifth grade in weekly one-hour sessions to play active games, make healthy snacks and learn about food choices like WHOA, SLOW and GO foods. WHOA foods are those that contain a lot of salt, unhealthy fats or added sugars—sometimes all three. Examples include whole milk, ice cream, butter, french fries, candy bars, fried meats and potato chips. GO foods contain very little salt, unhealthy fats or added sugars—sometimes none at all. Examples include fruits and vegetables, fat-free or 1% plain milk, foods made with whole grains, broiled fish, baked chicken and lean meats. SLOW foods are in between GO foods and WHOA foods and may include 2% plain milk, fat-free or 1% flavored milk, white bread and rice, pancakes, baked chicken nuggets and fruits canned in light syrup. “The goal for anyone providing snacks or meals to children should be to help them eat fewer WHOA foods and to get them excited about more SLOW and GO foods,” said Renee Hamel, who serves as CATCH Healthy Habits coordinator with Community Renewal Team, Inc. (CRT). Hamel is still looking for volunteers to start in the spring, and those interested are encouraged to contact her at (860) 760-3087, or hamelr@crtct.org.

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Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Eat Locally at Over 100 Farmer’s Markets in Connecticut

ant to eat locally grown and harvested vegetables and fruits? How about eggs that have just been gathered, eggs that make you wonder how you ever bought “fresh” and “free range” eggs in the supermarket? It’s easy to do if you live in Connecticut. According to the US Department of Agriculture website, there are over 100 farmer’s markets here, collectively operating on every day of the week and if not in every town, then not far from one. Most are also affiliated with the Women, Infant and Children and/or Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program. Farmer’s markets have been operating in the US for almost 300 years, and luckily for the consumer, they are popping up everywhere. According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the number of Farmer’s Markets listed in the USDA National Farmer’s Market directory has more than quadrupled to 7, 175 as of August 2011. Many cities purport to have the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market. One is Lancaster, PA, where it was included in Andrew and James Hamilton’s town plans in 1730, the whole town conceived of as a “market town.” Another, Alexandria, VA also claims to be the oldest, having been in existence since 1752 and still operating today. In Connecticut, the first farmer’s market was at the Old Statehouse in Hartford, begun in 1643. Now the market is open three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am 2pm, with farmers allowed to participate on any or all of those days. This year it will open on June 26th and run until October 26th (18 weeks, but closed on July 4th.) http://www.ctosh.org/farmersmkt.asp One of the largest and most diverse farmer’s markets is in Coventry, where from 11 - 2 on Sundays, June 3rd until October, you can find anything from organic and heirloom plants, grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, preserves, freshly-baked pies, homemade sauces, artisanal cheeses, and artisan goods. You can also find children’s activities and guest musicians, making it a very special experience. As Christine Chitnis described it when it won Yankee Magazine’s “Best Five Farmer’s Market in New England,” in 2011, it is “equal parts county fair and farmer’s market.” http://coventryfarmersmarket.com/ Many of the farmer’s markets have vendors who sell organically grown fruits and vegetables, and there is even a movement afoot to sell GMO (genetically modified organism)-free food. Bob Burns of Aiki Farms in Ledyard is busy trying to create GMO-free farmer’s markets in CT, beginning at his own farm. Burns discusses this in the following YouTube video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Q56hqmsaAhw.

Ledyard’s market runs from 4-7pm, Wednesday, June 6th to September 5th at the Ledyard Fairgrounds. www. ledyardfresh.com. In lower Fairfield County, Westport’s Farmer’s Market returns on Thursday, May 24th from 10am - 2am at the Imperial Avenue Commuter Parking Lot. The market features a combination of organic and non-organic produce as well as locally made breads, artisanal cheeses, fresh plants, locally raised shellfish and meats, and flowers, among other things. www.westportfarmersmarket.com. There are so many markets, it’s impossible to list them all. An online list of those in CT can be found at www.farmersmarketonline. com/fm/Connecticut.htm. NOFA also has a site listing farmers markets in CT: www.ctnofa. org/FarmersMarkets.htm For more information on Connecticut farmer’s markets and other supplemental food programs offered through farmer’s markets, such as the Women, Infant and Children Market Nutrition Program or the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, you can look at the CT Farmers’ Market Reference Guide or call the CT Department of Agriculture – Marketing Bureau (860) 713-2503. A wonderful website for those interested in starting a farmer’s market in CT is Buy CT Grown. You can find information at www. buyctgrown.com/market. And finally, no list would be complete without Analiese Paik’s Fairfield Green Food Guide website for lower Fairfield County consumers. It not only contains a list of local farmer’s markets, but also has up-to-date including GMO-related information, information about CSAs, local wines and recipes. wwwfairfieldgreenfoodguide. com. The farmers at the markets are happy to tell you about what they most love and what is their biggest challenge. Many say that they love the direct link to the consumer, making a connection that extends beyond the market, with some happy buyers eventually going directly to a farm for their food. Asked what was the most frustrating aspect of selling organic produce, they say that the public doesn’t understand its high prices are a result of the extra labor involved, including massive paperwork needed to be filled out. Supposedly, Meryl Streep once said, “It’s bizarre that the produce manager is more important to my children’s health than the pediatrician.” For many who buy fresh locally grown food, this is no surprise. The improved taste and health benefits are enormous! Submitted by Elisabeth Rose.

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Are You Using Your Teeth as Tools? By Roman J. Fedorciw, DDS

rantic calls from patients, exclaiming that a large part of a tooth splintered or fractured away, are not uncommon. When a tooth breaks, it is usually caused by misuse. Most people do not realize that chewing on ice, biting fingernails or cuticles, holding pens or other objects between the teeth or just clenching during sleep, exercise or anger can permanently damage teeth. Teeth have three basic layers. The innermost section is the pulpal chamber. It contains blood vessels and nerves, and is the softest part of the tooth. The next layer is the dentin. This layer surrounds the pulp and contains small water-filled tubules that act like conductors of sensation to the nerve. The dentin also is responsible for the shade of the tooth. Being yellow, it affects the color as it is seen through the semi translucent third potion of the tooth, the enamel. This outermost layer is the only non-living part of the tooth. It is composed of an inorganic mineral matrix that is more brittle than dentin and susceptible to fracture. The jaw utilizes four main muscles in the chewing process. The strength of these muscles, combined with the small surface area and sharpness of teeth, impart the tremendous forces that are necessary to tear and shred food. When these forces are improperly directed by misuse, the enamel absorbs them, causing microfractures. These hairline fractures can be compared to the crackling (known as craze) seen in old porcelain; yet unlike a broken bone that can be identified on x-ray, these lines can only be seen via transillumination, a process of shining a bright light onto the teeth to view imperfections. On posterior or back teeth, these microfractures present with symptoms, including sensitivity to cold in conjunction 8

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

with an intermittent quick sharp pain upon chewing. Usually, the affected tooth has a large filling due to past decay and restoration. Subsequently, clenching, chewing on ice or accidentally biting into a raw popcorn kernel causes a wedging effect that initiates the craze. This fault slowly propagates through the enamel and upon reaching the dentin, the chewing and cold sensitivity begin. The treatment modality for this situation is usually a crown or onlay, which provides partial or circumferential support to a compromised tooth preventing it from fracturing. The crown process involves the removal of the defective enamel down to the healthy dentin and then cementing or bonding the replacement that restores the tooth to proper strength and function. If left untreated, these microfractures can cause the affected piece to break away or cause the stress fracture to continue into the pulpal chamber necessitating a root canal. Microfractures on anterior or front six teeth present differently than their counterparts in the posterior. Anterior teeth with microfractures usually have no pain, but present with roughened or slightly jagged edges. When transilluminated, vertical lines can be seen joining the ‘V’ shaped irregular chips at the edges. Under continued misuse, the microfractures coalesce causing a larger rectangular piece to flake away. Repair of these situations is not as simple as bonding. Bonding is the chemical attachment of a white filling to both the enamel and dentin. Bonding adheres, not by having long rebar-like projections that go into the healthy tooth, but by use of shallow plugs that attach to the adjacent surface. If the adjacent surface is also comprised, then the filling will just fall off taking more enamel with it.

Once again, the accepted treatment modality would be to remove the damaged enamel down to the healthy dentin and replace it with porcelain. When indicated, not only is the finished product beautiful, but it will also restore the tooth to its original strength and function. Whether the damage is repaired on the front or back teeth, if the misuse is not identified and stopped, eventually the process of fracturing will continue even in the new porcelain. If you are clenching your teeth, try consciously placing the tip of your tongue between your teeth to prevent further damage. However, if your actions are done subconsciously, then visit your dentist for a properly fitted occlusal guard. Teeth are not tools. Thinking before putting something in your mouth could save you a great deal of time with your dentist! Dr. Roman Fedorciw is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry. He completed his residency at Long Island College Hospital in New York and is a member of the American Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and the Connecticut State Dental Association. Since 1990, Dr. Fedorciw has maintained a private family practice in Cromwell, Connecticut which focuses on general restorative and cosmetic dentistry. www.smiledrs.com. See ad on page 25.

Don’t Allow Your Health To Be Treated Compartmentally By Audrey Bennett LCSW, LADC

newer term that is increasingly used is “integrative”. This term describes a process of blending together medical and holistic therapies to complement the core issues of health. Integrative medicine is now the cutting edge of therapeutic whole health. In Europe, and especially in Germany, traditional medicine and integrative therapies have been blended for decades, resulting in a highly optimal system for health and well-being. When you compare German and U.S. health statistics you find that Germans have longer lifespans, a lower infant mortality rate, and spend about half of what the U.S. spends on medical health services. (Health Care in Germany by Christina Geyer, August 18, 2009, www. amiexpat.com/2009/08/18/health-care-ingermany/) Many European countries progressively embrace the benefits of new technology and practical common sense when it comes to health and well-being. Alternative therapies are utilized and the actual cost of overall healthcare has become far less expensive for the country. People are healthier and that is a fact. Today’s exponential growth in technology has allowed us to perceive and understand the human body and brain as we have never done before. We can now “see” the brain while it is engaged in the most delicate tasks. Technological breakthroughs in neuroimaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance (FMRI), and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), give us a first-time opportunity to pinpoint areas of the brain that are responsible for the generation of emotions, thoughts, and even higher abilities of the mind, such as meditation and prayer. Molecular biology has given us the opportunity to track down minute quantities of substances traveling through the human body and interacting with different systems of the body. Of great significance are the molecules found interacting in the brain,

especially the limbic system responsible for our emotions, with other bodily systems. The increasing ability to track the pathways of minute amounts of molecules and monitor their effect on different systems has enhanced our knowledge of how mental, emotional, or spiritual changes can alter the molecular profile of the immune or hormonal system and thus affect the body. These breakthroughs have assisted our advancement from treating symptoms into affecting whole health. A term coined in the 1970s, psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of the interaction of behavioral, neural, and endocrine factors in the functioning of the immune system. PNI has become the major scientific focus of integrative medicine. In 1982, Dr. Bruce Lipton began examining the principles of quantum physics and how they might be integrated into his understanding of the cell’s information processing systems. He produced breakthrough studies on the cell membrane, which revealed that this outer layer of the cell was an organic homologue of a computer chip, the cell’s equivalent of a brain. His research at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, between 1987 and 1992, revealed that the environment, operating though the membrane, controlled the behavior and physiology of the cell, turning genes on and off. His discoveries, which ran counter to the established scientific view that life is controlled by the genes, presaged one of today’s most important fields of study, the science of epigenetics. Two major scientific publications derived from these studies defined the molecular pathways connecting the mind and body. (noetic.org/directory/ person/bruce-lipton/). PNI proves that the impact of our mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and energetic life all interact together to determine the quality of our health. However, many Americans still allow “health” to be treated compartmentally. We need to awaken from utilizing the medical model as our sole means of treatment. The progress which has

been made through our technology needs to be tempered by practical application of stress reducing, integrative approaches. Let us consider for example the negative impact of stress on our bodily organism. It has been established that chronic stress is a risk factor in the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Chronic stress has been shown to be a risk factor in heart disease, stroke, cancer, infection, wound healing, autoimmune disease, depression, infertility, pain, and many other disease states. The cause of disease is multi-factorial. Why is it that while individuals within a group of people (e.g., a family) may have a common genetic tendency to develop a disease, only some of them will actually develop the illness while others won’t? And why is it that virulent bacteria can be found in certain people, of whom only a few will actually become infected and sick? These two examples show us that diseases are caused by factors other than just a certain genetic background or the mere presence of an infective agent (e.g., bacteria or virus). The decline of immune function through stress may be responsible for the ability of the bacteria to cause infection or of a genetic trait to become expressed as an actual disease. (www.simpletoremember. com/articles/a/psychoneuroimmunology/ Yakir Kaufman) Since stress is one of the highest risk factors in poor health, it is imperative to seek out integrative health services like meditation, massage therapy, Thai Chi, Yoga, etc. to relax, de-stress and enhance any health regime. You deserve to have the best quality as well as quantity of life. Integrate your health today! Submitted by Audrey Bennett LCSW, LADC. Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy. 963 Queen Street, Southington, CT 06489 (860) 819-8570. www.centerforholisticpractices.com. See ad on page 10.

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“Grand Opening” Saturday June 30th – 10am - 4pm Free: Yoga, Massage therapy, Journey Dance, Reiki & More! Special Guest - Bernie Seigel Noted speaker and author of over 12 books on Medicine and Spiritual Healing. His message of hope and love is extended to all who seek a whole person approach for living life fully. One of the Top Spiritually Influential people on the planet.

Introducing Integrative Whole Health Services for our Community! All things work together in a delicate balance. We inspire you to address your overall health and well-being by treating your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energetic being so that better harmony and happiness can be achieved.

Audrey Bennett, LCSW, LADC * Addictions/Mental Health * Energy Work

Cynthia Sicilia, MS *General whole health & Psychotherapy *Massage, Qigong, Reiki, Reflexology

Come in to the community hub for whole health services and resources. We will be providing cutting edge services, trainings, workshops, retreats and more to individuals, groups, families, and professionals in Central Connecticut.

Take $5 Off Any Service When You Book An Appointment Before July 1st, 2012

Amy Mulrooney, LPC * Adolescents *Expressive Therapy

Dara Holcomb, LPC * Children – Adolescents * Special populations * CBT

• Must present ad for discount. Does not include Psychotherapy services Our Consultants: Erica Marchetti, MS Children – Adults * Coping Skills * Anxiety * Life Transitions

Dr. Jonathan Goodman, ND * Physical & Natural Medicine * Acute and Chronic Conditions * Supplements * Accepts most insurances

Lisl Meredith Heubner, NCCAOM * Chinese Medicine * Registered Herbalist * Accupressure & Auriculotherapy * Medicinal Aromatherapy * Herbal Naturalist Consultation

963 Queen Street, Suite C, Southington, CT 06489 (860) 276-5843 • (860) 819-8570 www.centerforholisticpractices.com 10

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Imani Mamalution * Live Food Specialist * Superfood Product Line * Superfood Classes & Demonstrations * Detox & Personal Retreats

prescription for living

By Bernie Siegel, MD

It’s The Potential

ho can you hate? Who can you love? What is evil? I would hope you answer that you can’t hate anyone and remember I didn’t say like I said hate. If you can hate someone else I think you hate parts of yourself too. I hope you are capable of loving everyone. Again I didn’t say like. Love is a wonderful weapon which eliminates enemies and is blind to faults. Try it and you’ll see. The origin of the word evil comes from losing one’s way. I believe evil is when we lose our way and perform acts which hurt other living things. When we are truly being creative and our acts are life enhancing we will not perform acts which can be defined as evil. Who is the most important person, to you, who has lived in your lifetime? If you didn’t answer me; no, not me, meaning you are the most important and meaningful person to yourself, then you have a problem. How and why should anyone else on this planet be a more significant factor in your life than you? So get it together and acknowledge yourself even if your parents and others did not. Okay now that my sermon is over it reminds me of something and someone who impressed me. I was a speaker at a relay for life presentation in a local town and so was Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro, who shared she had experienced cancer about twenty years ago. As we were waiting to speak I asked her how she could stand politics. I told her when I was involved in it I always became so frustrated by the eternal committee meetings and the time it took to accomplish something meaningful I resigned because I felt so frustrated by the process. I have to add, as my friend Ashley Montague said, “If you’re ever going to die, do it at a faculty meeting. No one will notice the transition.” Well, Rosa turned to me and said, “It’s the potential.” She impressed me as she went on to tell me about many significant laws which are now in effect though it took her years to get them through Congress. That’s a word I think we all need to make a part of our lives when we are facing difficult times and even life threatening afflictions. It is what has kept me working with cancer patients and

others because I know they are not statistics and have the potential for better than expected results. I am thinking about another lesson from Rosa. Why didn’t God make a perfect world? How would you answer that? I saw an article in the paper about a charity Rosa set up offering scholarships to help students graduating from high school and it comes from her personal income. She still takes home only the salary she earned her first year in Congress and all the raises given to Congress she has put into this charity. To me this speaks to how meaningful our actions can be when we share our love in the many ways available to us. A perfect world wouldn’t require actions of this sort and I thought would make life meaningless. Bernie holds a support group in Simsbury at Wisdom of the Ages the first Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm. Wisdom of the Ages, a special place to nurture your spiritual side. It's filled with items to calm the mind, heal the body & empower your spirit. They also provide massages & monthly meditation classes. Wisdom of the Ages is owned by Bernie's son & daughter- in-law, Keith & Jane Siegel. Located at 1408 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Please call for info or to register for Bernie's group. (860) 651-1172, www.wisdomoftheages. biz,berniesiegelmd.com. See ad on page 22. Bernie also runs a Woodbridge Support Group which meets the Second and Fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at Coachman's Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com.

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Men’s Health: Reversing Testosterone Loss

By Paul D. Tortland, D.O.

estosterone. The mere word conjures images of steroid-dripping, weight pumping, oversexed, ‘roid-raging muscle heads. It is much less likely to convey images of bone density, mental concentration, and protection against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

The Aging Male Before we discuss the role of testosterone replacement, let’s review what happens to men as we age. Between the ages of 40 and 50, men will lose 2-5% of their lean muscle mass. From age 50 onward the loss accelerates, averaging 1-2% loss per year. By age 80, the average male has lost 25% of his lean muscle mass. Though sobering, most of this loss is preventable. Loss of bone density is a condition most commonly associated with women. However, men also suffer from decreased bone density and can develop osteoporosis. Bone density peaks at around age 30 then gradually declines. This decline likewise can be prevented, but any loss sustained cannot be replaced. Aging also brings changes in body composition. A gradual increase in body fat starts at about age 25. This is not necessarily due exclusively to weight gain. Rather, it can be due to a progressive loss of lean muscle mass. Finally, testosterone (T) levels begin to decline an average of 1.5% per year starting at age 30. Though part of the natural aging process, testosterone loss can be associated with certain medical conditions, including chronic pain (opioid use decreases testosterone levels), cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Testosterone Physiology Testosterone is an androgenic steroid hormone derived from cholesterol and produced by the testes in men (and by the ovaries in women). Men produce 7-8 times more T than women, though women are more sensitive to the hormone. Testosterone has anabolic and androgenic effects. The anabolic effects include increased protein synthesis leading to growth of muscle mass and strength, as well as increased bone density and 12

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bone strength. The androgenic effects include the development of secondary sex characteristics and growth of body hair. In addition, testosterone is essential for general health and well-being, as we will detail later. As is the case with most hormones, T is not very soluble in blood. In order to be transported in the bloodstream to target areas, hormones need to be piggybacked, or bound, to carrier proteins. As a result, T is found in two forms, bound and unbound. Blood test results report both the total T level, representing the combined bound and unbound portions, and the free T, comprising only the unbound portion. Only the free, or unbound, portion is biologically available to be used by the cells. As we age, decreasing T levels are due primarily to a progressive failure of the hypothalamus (a small gland at the base of the brain) to stimulate production of testosterone. It is generally not due to a primary failure of the testicles. Hypogonadism is the term used to describe the symptoms of decreased T production. However, one can have clinically low T levels without clinical symptoms. This is known as hypotestosteronism. Why is this distinction worth mentioning? The symptoms of hypogonadism are what push men to seek medical attention (and sometimes spur the women to push the men to seek attention!). However, as we shall see, low T levels, even without overt symptoms, increase the risk of other conditions as we age. Therefore, an argument is made for optimizing T levels from a preventive medicine and wellness perspective, even in the face of no symptoms.

Disease and Testosterone Although aging is the most common cause for declining T levels, a number of medical conditions are closely associated with low T. Conversely, many disease states can be improved, or at least the associated risk factors mediated, by increasing T levels. Obesity is a major cause of low T. Men who are 20% over their ideal body weight (e.g., 204 lbs for a 170 lb man) have 25% decreased total T levels and 19% lower free T levels. This situation worsens with greater obesity. Body weight 200% above your ideal is associated with a 60% reduction in T levels. This is because fat

tissue is very rich in estrogen, and estrogen breaks down testosterone (a process known as aromatization). In fact, testosterone levels will naturally rise simply from losing significant weight. Twenty three percent of persons with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have hypogonadism. One study reported that a low testosterone level by itself may be a stronger predictor of the degree of coronary artery disease than blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Increasing T levels in men with CVD has been shown to improve coronary artery blood flow, reduce exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and angina symptoms, reduce the inflammatory chemicals seen in CVD, reduce the risk of arterial plaque formation, and decrease mortality rates. Men with diabetes have significantly lower free and total T levels. Testosterone treatment has been shown to slash the risk of death from Type II diabetes. In one 2011 study 578 men with Type II DM were followed for 6 years. Over that time period, 20% with low T levels died, compared to only 9% with normal levels. Among those men with low T who were given T, only 8.6% died. Testosterone treatment has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and to decrease hemoglobin A1c and C-reactive protein (C-RP, a marker of inflammation) levels. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease can be significantly reduced (by some estimates by as much as 80%) by optimizing T levels. Higher T levels are associated with increased mental performance in the elderly, and T has been shown to reduce the production and deposition of the beta-amyloid proteins that cause the brain plaques seen in AD. There are profound implications for preventive medicine, wellness, and longevity with testosterone supplementation to optimal levels.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone The most obvious, and most commonly associated, side effect of low T is low libido, or low sex drive. Gradual and subtle declines in T levels may be manifested by a slowly, sometimes, perhaps, even imperceptible, decreasing interest in sex. More overt symptoms include difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection, and decreased morning erections. Other symptoms of low T include: • Decreased overall energy • Decreased sense of well-being • Increased irritability • Decreased exercise performance or tolerance • Slower recovery from exercise • Decreased strength • Decreased muscle mass / increasing fat mass • Decreased concentration or ability to maintain focus • Depression or, more subtly, a decreased enjoyment of life

Testosterone Supplementation Treatment with T should be done only under the supervision of a physician trained in its use. While inherently safe (as long as blood levels are maintained in the proper range), knowledge of the proper application, potential side effects, and risk factors is imperative. All T treatment needs to start with a thorough history and physical exam, including a range of blood work (the details of the medical workup are beyond the scope of this article). Based on the results NaturalNutmeg.com

of the initial evaluation, a determination is made whether T replacement is indicated. The goal of T replacement, at least from a wellness and preventive medicine perspective, is to get the blood levels of free T to the high end of normal for a healthy 25-30 year old. This distinction is critical—normal does not mean optimal. A free-T level of 50 may be in the normal range, but it pales in comparison to the optimum range of 170-220. “But testosterone declines as we age. Isn’t that normal? Why should we mess with nature?” These are frequent questions. There are two schools of thought regarding hormone replacement. Conventional medicine holds that hormone levels decline because we age. Preventive medicine, on the other hand, maintains that we age because our hormones decline! This is a subtle but powerful difference. (A related counter-argument is: Eyesight naturally declines as we age, and we also develop cataracts. Yet medicine routinely treats these. The same is true for hearing loss. Why is a double standard applied when it comes to hormones?)

Testosterone Replacement: Topical or Injectable Topical is the most common and most convenient. While there are commercially available topical testosterone creams and patches (Androderm®, Androgel®, Testim®), they are generally insufficient to raise T levels to the optimum range. This is because they contain only 1% testosterone. Custom compounded testosterone creams, on the

other hand, can contain 10%, and even 20%, testosterone. Topical application has the advantage of being convenient and painless. However, there are significant considerations. Because men metabolize T rapidly, creams ideally should be applied every 12 hours to maintain adequate levels. Not all men can consistently maintain this dosing schedule. Creams should not be applied immediately before intimate contact or within 2-3 hours of going to bed, to prevent contaminating your partner. This is especially true if your partner is pregnant; testosterone in pregnant women can cause birth defects. You also need to be extremely careful of physical contact with babies and young children within 2 hours of application, to avoid transfer. About 10% of people will not absorb medication well through the skin, so creams do not always work. And in 1-2% of men who use creams, there is an increased risk of hair loss. This is because the testosterone in the skin can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the main causes of male pattern baldness. Testosterone cream is best applied to the inner aspect of the forearms, and the arms are rubbed together to distribute the cream. An alternative site is the upper inner aspect of the thighs (being careful to avoid contact with the genitals). T cream should NEVER be applied to the belly. This is because of the high concentration of estrogen receptors in the belly fat that will convert the T into more estrogen.

Injectable T is therefore an option for some men. Believe it or not, the self-administered injections are virtually painless in most cases! Injectable T avoids many of the pitfalls of topical, especially the contamination concerns. The best application method is to inject a small amount daily under the skin. This maintains consistent levels throughout the week. More common, but less ideal, is once or twice weekly injections into the muscle. However, this results in a large spike in levels, and then the levels drop off quickly, so there is a yo-yo effect. Subcutaneous injections are most easily given in the front of the thigh. You pinch or grab a wad of skin to pull it away from the underlying muscle, and inject under the skin. Like the cream, never inject into the belly. I prefer to use insulin syringes for injection. Their small needles and small size make for easy dosing and painless injection.

Oral Forms: Least effective and increase the risk of liver toxicity. Over-the-counter products marketed to raise T levels are largely ineffective. In young men (under 40) who are still producing relatively normal T levels, some of these products may have a very slight benefit. But above 40 they are generally a waste of money. Many wellness physicians add an ingredient called “chrysin” to their T cream prescription. Chrysin inhibits the natural conversion of testosterone to estrogen. They mistakenly believe that estrogen in men is harmful. The opposite is actually true. Men need estrogen, and, except in the case of certain heart disease, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that estrogen is harmful. Estrogen protects against bone loss, reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and protects against coronary artery disease. Blood serum T levels should be measured every 4-6 weeks, and the dose adjusted as needed to reach and maintain optimal levels. Then labs can be checked every 6-12 months. Cholesterol (including total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), PSA (prostate), and other labs also should be checked periodically.

Side Effects Side effects are rare with T replacement. Hair loss (with topical use), injection site irritation, fluid retention, and gynecomastia (breast enlargement) can occur, but these are very rare and easily treated.

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One potential side effect is spousal dissatisfaction. If a couple has grown accustomed to a certain level of sexual activity (or lack thereof), a sudden change in interest on the part of one partner can be a cause of consternation for the other. So be careful to discuss this openly. (Perhaps the partner needs to be treated too!) One very rare side effect (and one that I have never seen in clinical practice) is testicular shrinkage. When it occurs it is easily treated. “Will I stop producing testosterone if I’m taking it?” Good question. What does it matter? You’re not producing enough of it anyway! “Will I get “’roid rage?” No. Steroid aggressiveness occurs in steroid abuse, not therapeutic use, and only when the abuse is stopped and the body goes through withdrawal.

Risk Factors and Contraindications There are really only two contraindications to T replacement: active prostate cancer and a desire to get pregnant. Since exogenous T therapy will dramatically decrease sperm count, couples desiring to get pregnant should avoid T replacement (at least to optimum levels). Regarding prostate cancer, the literature is absolutely abundantly and irrefutably clear: Testosterone does NOT cause prostate cancer. Period. If it did, every 18-25 year old male would have prostate cancer! In fact, the opposite is true. The risk of prostate cancer is inversely related to T levels; low T levels are associated with increased cancer risk. In fact, in men who have been successfully treated for prostate cancer, and the PSA levels stay normal for one year, adding T will actually reduce the risk of reoccurrence of the disease.

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Summary Testosterone serves to maintain health in every organ system in the body, and it has extensive and important protective and preventive medicine benefits. With rare exception there is no reason not to optimize levels. Submitted by Paul D. Tortland, DO of Valley Sports Physicians and Orthopedic Medicine in Avon, CT. For more information, call 860675-0357 or visit www.jockdoctors.com. See ad on page 3.

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Real (Authentic) Men Wanted By Julie Palmer

or many centuries, the women of western society have been reevaluating and changing the role of the feminine. The metamorphosis has been slow but always changing. Men, as a group, have lagged behind. I believe this is because they are on the top of the food chain and have not had to change. But now they must leave their sophomoric and indulgent ways behind, and move toward what I call the “Authentic Masculine,” to becoming balanced, complete, conscious, and connected. This is critical for their individual happiness, their families, and the world. The archetype of the masculine warrior/hero is the prevalent archetype for most western men. Although the archetype has its place, it is narrow and limiting, leaving little room for expansive ideas, open-minded change and discussion. The warrior/hero archetype lacks a continuum. Things are right or wrong, good or bad, black or white. Duality is the warrior/hero’s form of organization. The gray areas, where life-enhancing solutions are usually found, are missing. Duality is a system of comparison and judgment; it separates and polarizes. On a national level, this duality has become the basis for our culture, government, and religions. The powerful decide what is right and wrong, who can do what and how. If you look closely at the warrior/hero you see the ultimate individual, saving the world from what he thinks is the enemy, from what he considers wrong. The idea that the person might not want to be saved or changed is irrelevant to the warrior/hero. If there is a desire attached to this there is no stopping him from taking what he wants, at any expense. The need for possession and desire fill the empty space of the parts that were taken from him; the parts that are opposed to the limited view of the masculine that this narrow archetype promotes. Thus, life becomes an inner battle. There is separation and fear of the feminine, as it is the opposite of the masculine, the feminine being the mother, sister, and lover archetypes. The warrior/ hero rarely has a relationship that is based on genuine respect of the feminine. There is always the fear of losing his maleness or masculinity, the fear of losing control over the situation and himself. This has manifested itself into a blindness and separation from the destruction he has committed and continues to create, also reinforcing the need for possession and desire. The connection to the self, family, community, the world at large, and most importantly to the totality of life – the great matrix – is lost. The masculine aspect of our culture as it stands now is disconnected. Men are disconnected from their true selves, from the repercussions of their actions, from the feminine, from their role as wise protector, and from the natural cycle of life. The result of this 16

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disconnect is men who are stuck in adolescence; they are fragmented, angry, depressed, and at times violent. The desire, possession, entitlement, greed, and need for power, are bringing such destruction to the earth that we are at a point of annihilation. Men have lost their perception of the collective and their role in it; this includes the human collective, the familial, and the earth. Their role within the natural world has been erased. The role of responsible and mature caretaker is deficient. I believe that there are many factors that, if rectified, could bring balance to every aspect of life. I propose a continuum instead. The continuum allows things to be what they are authentically. Rather than opposites there are complimentary relationships, things that are naturally together. Life and death would be perceived as life death. You cannot have one without the other. It is what it is, not good or bad, it just is. The continuum allows a place for everyone and everything without judgment or separation. It encompasses the many, allowing for a holistic perception and the capacity to unify and expand life’s experience. It also has the capacity to expand the roles and expectations of the masculine, uniting the many parts that have been lost or taken by cultural and familial pressures, expectations, shame, and abuse. The continuum is all encompassing; the expectation is that of variety, difference, and tolerance. I am offering an archetype that is open to life’s fullness and the ever-changing process of life. It has the potential to allow the masculine to expand, becoming whole and connected. I call this archetype the Authentic Masculine. This is an individual who is a part of the continuum, the whole, with an understanding that no one sits in the same place. Change and difference are the rule, not feared or resisted. The Authentic Masculine is honorable and complete, allowing men to communicate authentically, supporting their ability to express vulnerabilities, pain, love, beauty, and limitations; encouraging the ability to laugh at oneself, and to live with ease and grace. Most of these attributes currently are associated with the feminine in our dualistic culture, making it difficult for the masculine to embrace them as their own. With the continuum, not only can men be comfortable with themselves, they can become less fragmented, less angry, less resistant to change, and more tolerant of others. The roles and expectations of the masculine are expanded, allowing for a diverse, ever-changing life experience. Another positive characteristic of The Authentic Masculine is the genuine respect for the feminine. There is no fear of losing any part of themselves. When there is an understanding of the entirety of

life and their responsibility within the entirety, there is awareness of the partnership with their own feminine aspect and the feminine aspect as a whole. This partnership is balanced and respectful. Men are worthy of the esteem and love given to them by all that is feminine. The partnerships that result are whole and complete with wide ranges of attributes and expectations. Authenticity begins by becoming aware of the parts that have been taken based on duality or the simplistic and defensive expectations of the masculine. Find these parts, honor them, and begin healing yourself. This is a great place for the warrior! Fight for wholeness, and the opportunity to receive and grow. Fight for integrity, impeccability, balance, and respect for all. Integrate these qualities; they are a part of you and who you are. Be your own hero. Celebrate the continuum, the many faceted parts of an authentic life. Your connection to the whole of eternity is right there in front of you, waiting for you. You are the one you have been waiting for! Julie Palmer is a Mesa carrier, studying this form of spiritualism in depth with Peruvian shaman/ teacher, Jose Luis Herrera. Her frequent climbing visits to Peru have allowed her to become deeply connected with the sacred mountains outside of Cuzco, and with the many medicine people also connected to this important work. Julie is currently offering shamanic workshops, as well as her shamanic services, throughout New England. Julie has been a ceramicist for approximately thirty years, has earned a BFA and a Masters Degree, and her artwork has become an extension of her shamanic work — its organic nature reflecting the reverence she has for Earth and Spirit. www.ashamansway.com. See ad on page 20.

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Are you Anxious or Depressed? It Could be Genetic By Jared M. Skowron, ND and Michelle Hessberger, ND, MS, LAc, Dipl

nxiety pays. At least, it pays the pharmaceutical companies. Antidepressants are the #2 most common drug class prescribed in the United States, after cholesterol medications. Out of the $300 billion spent on pharmaceuticals in the US, more than $25 billion are spent on antidepressants and antipsychotics. (IMS Health 2010 Statistics). That’s a lot of sadness. A lot of patients come into my office with anxiety, sadness, or depression. I often think to myself, ‘Where does all this anxiety and grief come from?’ When you read the psychology of Sigmund Freud, he states the anxiety of males comes from the PTSD after circumcision, but then again, Freud will be Freud. For others, the extreme stress of our lives can push us over the edge. The stress of the economy, family, relationships, finances, our self-imposed high standards, and even inflated life expectations can add to our lack of happiness. I’d like to think some of us may be depressed because we aren’t pursuing our life’s goal, as a sign that we need to get on track. However some people, especially the children in my office, seem to have anxiety or depression for no explainable reason. In these cases one problem can be their genetics. Are your genetics contributing to your anxiety and depression?

Ask yourself the following questions: • Do you feel anxious for no discernable reason? • Do you have trouble sleeping? • Is there a history of depression, anxiety or mental illness in your family? • Do you often have cold fingers or toes? (Raynaud’s symptoms) • Did you have trouble conceiving a child? • Is there a family history of unexplained heart disease? • Do you have a quick temper? • Do you have a high pain tolerance? • Are you hypersensitive to light touch, noises, or smells?

Brain Chemistry There are chemicals made in our bodies that affect our emotions and moods. These are called neurotransmitters or brain chemicals. They affect our entire nervous system, not just mood, but also our peripheral nervous system that senses the world around us. Many of us are familiar with the names of these. Serotonin is the most well known of our brain chemicals; it generally gives us a feeling of calmness and happiness. The majority of antidepressant drugs are called SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). They maintain serotonin in our brain to continue the good feelings we want. Let’s take a step back and understand how these brain chemicals work. Our body creates these chemicals from the foods we eat.

Proteins + Vitamins = Brain Chemicals

These chemicals are created, do work in our bodies, and are removed through the urine. The chemicals work by activating receptors on the nerves. When the chemical activates a receptor (think about a key in a keyhole), then different signals occur in the nerve that alter our emotions, our thoughts, and our sensations. There are two major actions that pharmaceuticals have that change our mood. One group of pharmaceuticals includes inhibitors. These drugs inhibit the removal of brain chemicals from the brain. SSRI are part of this category. If we are making a low level of serotonin, the goal of the drug is to hold on to the serotonin, so it is not removed from the body as fast as usual. The other group of drugs includes agonists or activators. They activate the nerve receptor (keyhole) on their own, and don’t affect brain chemical levels diIf any of these questions resonate with you, we need to test rectly. Ativan and lorazepam are good examples of this type of drug. your emotional genetics and brain chemicals! They activate the receptor for the brain chemical, GABA. This brain

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chemical is one of the major anti-anxiety neurotransmitters we make. Are you someone who needs a higher and higher dosage of the medication? Is your doctor changing medications because the first one isn’t working? Are you on multiple anti-depressants, because one isn’t enough? Step out of the box and look at the problem from the other side of the brain. If your body isn’t making brain chemicals, what are these drugs holding on to?

Nutritional Emotions Remember our equation, proteins + vitamin = brain chemicals. We’ll start with the proteins. Why do you get tired when you eat turkey at Thanksgiving? Tryptophan! But the longer part of the equation is that tryptophan is the protein that makes serotonin and melatonin. The more tryptophan we eat, the more serotonin we make, and the happier we feel. The more tryptophan, the more melatonin we make, which makes us sleepy. Now things are starting to make sense: Our diet affects our mood! You need to eat enough protein, and eat protein at every meal of the day (don’t forget breakfast). You also have to digest the protein. This means chewing your food, which our fast-paced culture often forgets, and having the stomach juices to digest the protein. Many of my patients on reflux drugs, called PPI (proton pump inhibitors), have poor protein levels because protein digestion is delayed. We also need our vitamins to create serotonin and friends. The most important vi-

tamins are B vitamins, and minerals, such as copper, zinc, and iron. We get these mostly from fruits and vegetables, but again in our fast-paced society, who is really eating the 6-8 daily servings of fruits and vegetables? As you know, most of our grain products are fortified with B vitamins, but only with some of them! The most important B vitamins for brain chemical production are B6, folate, and B12. Our grain products are not fortified with B6 and B12. So if you don’t eat your vegetables, you can’t make your brain chemicals in sufficient amounts!

Genetics You’re probably asking, how do genetics fit into our picture? Well, they are the ‘+’ sign of the equation. In order to create many brain chemicals, we have to activate our vitamins into their ‘bioactive’ form. This term ‘bioactive’ is thrown around a lot, so let me explain, some vitamins must be methylated or phosphorylated in the body in order to function. Our body adds a carbon molecule or phosphorus molecule to the vitamins, which turns them on, or makes them active in the body (bioactive). So when we eat folic acid or folinic acid, the body needs to convert it to its active form, methylfolate, or 5-MTHF. Only the active form, 5-MTHF, can be used to create brain chemicals. The formation of 5-MTHF needs an enzyme called MTHFR. Your genetics control the activity of this enzyme. If you inherit an enzyme that doesn’t work effectively, you won’t effectively make health levels of

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brain chemistry, which leads to your anxiety and depression, from your genetics! You can keep taking Lexapro and Prozac, but if you’re not making serotonin because of a bad MTHFR gene, your mood won’t get any better. Could it be that simple? Have we discovered a genetic reason for anxiety and depression? The Department of Psychiatry at Harvard University thinks so. They published a study in 2007 stating, “In the future, screening for MTHFR polymorphisms may be useful [in cases of schizophrenia and depression].” The future is HERE. Your local lab (Quest, Clinical Lab Partners, Lab Corp, etc.) can perform this genetic test and most insurance plans cover the cost. The information is invaluable. You can discover a genetic cause to your anxiety or depression. The information is beneficial, because you can treat your anxiety or depression by taking the bioactive form of folic acid, 5-MTHF, as a supplement. This vitamin has literally changed the lives of patients in my practice. As soon as you take the vitamin that your body can’t make on its own, your brain is flooded with serotonin and other brain chemicals that you may have never felt before! This is not the form of folic acid in your multivitamin, you must take the special methylfolate form. The other gene that we’re concerned about controls the removal of some brain chemicals. Remember, brain chemicals are made, work in the body, and then leave through the urine. If they can’t be processed out, they just build up to higher and higher levels. Sounds like a good thing, but just like Goldilocks, too much isn’t what we want. Some of our brain chemicals are involved with stress and anger, including adrenaline. Too much adrenaline building up in your brain increases your temper, anger, and can contribute to pediatric and adult ADHD. The enzyme that controls the removal of these is called monoamine oxidase (MAO). There are drugs that stop MAO, called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, but these are like SSRI, they keep brain chemicals in the brain. Some people have a genetic problem where they can’t remove adrenaline fast enough. Unfortunately, conventional labs don’t analyze this MAO enzyme, but alternative labs can perform this test. Do you know your blood type? People with blood type O and blood type B have 20% decreased activity of this enzyme, making them more rushed and aggressive. Is being a ‘Type A personality’ genetic? It might be.

Treatment If you’re not happy and you want to be, you have to change something. Perhaps a change in your diet, perhaps a change in your relationships, maybe a shift in your life expectations, and definitely a genetic analysis. Start at the core. Have your MTHFR gene tested. Analyze your brain chemistry by performing a blood or urine neurotransmitter test (also available at conventional labs and covered by insurance). Get a nutritional analysis measuring your protein and vitamin status. Once you can clearly see what’s affecting your emotions from the inside, you can handle the stress better on the outside. Taking supplemental proteins and vitamins based on your genetics and your brain chemical level can quickly balance your mood, giving you a fresh outlook on the world. I wish you luck and courage in your journey. Changing your outlook on life can be dramatic and while most of us fear any kind of change, you must have a clear goal defined so that you always have a beacon for yourself. Dr. Michelle Hessberger is a Naturopathic Physician who recognizes that each patient is more than the sum of their medical conditions and strives to enhance the vigor and vitality of each patient so they can achieve their optimal level of health. A graduate of the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture Institute, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Jared M. Skowron is a national expert in natural medicine for children. Author of the best-selling 100 Natural Remedies For Your Child, his life’s work is dedicated to the optimal health of children using natural therapies. Faculty at University of Bridgeport, and founder of their Pediatric & Autism Clinic, he has helped thousands of children fulfill their optimal potential. Dr. Skowron is vice-president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians and can help your children feel their best. See ad on page 35.

Healthy Self

Dr. Lauren Gouin, ND

The Healthy Weight Checklist

eight loss is a life-long struggle for many people. Rarely does the quick diet fix last, and over time it can become harder and harder to lose weight. Oftentimes diet plans fail because they are not sustainable or because they are not treating the underlying causes of weight gain. The more research we have on weight loss and healthy body composition, the more we learn that consistent lifestyle changes help sustain healthy weight over time. Treating the causes of weight gain, whether behavior or other factors, needs to occur to maintain a good body composition. Each individual’s path to weight gain as well as their journey to a healthy body composition is unique. A myriad of things can lead to weight gain. When assessing a plan for weight loss, the following list of requirements may help you find the key to long term weightloss success!

Proper Nutrients If your body does not have the tools to succeed, it is hardly fair to expect it to. Nutrition provides the building blocks for hormones, neurotransmitters and the like. We need vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fats to make our metabolism run smoothly. Low iron and B12 levels have been associated with anemia and slow metabolism. Vitamin D, a common deficiency, plays a role in many metabolic pathways, including inflammation and blood sugar control, both important for weight loss. There are many nutrients that play a role in our body’s weight balance.

Balanced Bowels The digestive tract is home to almost as many neurons as the brain, is a large part of your immune system and is the mechanism for taking in all nutrients and disposing of all waste. If the imports and exports of a country are not working properly, as well as some of the highways and telecommunications, how can you expect the country to be vital and thriving? Healthy gut bacteria, regular elimination and proper absorption are the foundation of feeding a sustainable healthy weight.

Sleep

Activity and Exercise

Studies show that proper sleep not only enhances weight loss programs, but also affects the self perception of the individuals trying to lose weight. What does this mean? In order to stay motivated and maintain a healthy lifestyle, sleep has to be restorative and good.

Being active can do more for you than any pills, products or fad diets combined. Exercise helps you manage stress, regulates your blood sugar, boosts metabolism, and promotes healthy sleep. Finding something active that you love to do can make it seem effortless, and creating a routine will make it a familiar part of your life.

Good Blood Sugar Control There are many types of meal plans out there. It is hard to discern facts from fads and more importantly, to know what diet is best for you! Certainly everyone must take their individual needs into account, but overall there is one good rule: no one needs sugar. Removing sugar from your diet and supporting balanced blood sugar throughout the day is a great foundation to whatever meal plan you decide on.

Happy Hormones Thyroid, estrogen and other hormones can dramatically influence metabolism and weight gain. If there is an underlying condition or imbalance, weight loss can be severely hindered. Balancing hormones may be the first step to weight loss, as it will certainly be more difficult and less sustainable if the body’s main messenger system is not balanced.

Stress Management One hormone in particular that needs to be balanced is the stress hormone Cortisol. This can be supported by vitamins and herbs and evaluated both clinically and with laboratory tests, however, lifestyle plays an important role in its management. Healthy outlets for stress must be in place in order for any major lifestyle changes and sustainable healthy weight to be maintained. Under stress we often fall back into old habits of coping, which can include poor dietary choices among others. Setting yourself up for success includes not only meal plans, but stress management plans.

A Plan Support from your friends, family and healthcare professionals is not to be underestimated. Developing goals, announcing plans and seeking encouragement leads to success; conversely, the absence of these components can sabotage success. Does this mean your husband has to cook your healthy meals or that your co-workers have to stop buying donuts? Not necessarily. Support can come from online chat groups, personal trainers, physicians, or friends who share the goals or values of healthy body composition. Developing a team of support can help identify weak spots in your plan as well as keep you motivated on stressful days. The more you can immerse yourself in a healthy culture, the better. With these things in place, you can set yourself up for success. Weight gain is a symptom; understanding your cause will help you sustain lasting balance with weight and overall improve your quality of life. Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. Her office is now accepting new patients and the physicians are innetwork with most insurance companies. To make an appointment, call (860) 533-0179. See ad on page 5.

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An Aardvark & a Platypus

hat if, as a child, A wasn’t for Apple, but instead A was for attitude? Would it be as catchy? What if, as an adult, A wasn’t for Apple, but instead A was for attitude? Would your brain retrain? The alphabet is one of the first things we learn in school. We have all sorts of songs ingrained in our heads to learn it, ways of remembering it and more. Think of the time you invest in a child teaching them to write the alphabet, memorize it and learn. Apply that concept to positive thinking and retrain your brain to think positively. It’s as important as learning the alphabet. I encounter a number of people who are stuck for a variety of reasons. They are stuck in “I can’t mode. When I hear, “I can’t because” my brain translates that immediately into “You can and here’s how.” In 2005, I sat with my dad, Jim Hamilton, at Sister Kenny Rehab Center in Minneapolis. He was there recovering from a stroke and subsequent Coumadin induced

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

brain hemorrhage. It was very unclear during those moments if all of his faculties, such as eyesight, speech, hearing would return. The speech pathologist came into his room and said, “Jim, time for speech therapy. Let’s wheel you down to that area.” Now, my dad is around 6’4” and 280+ pounds and in rough shape. I think the last thing on his mind was speech therapy, but cooperation is key in the hospital, so nurses helped him out of bed, into the wheel chair and down the hall he went. Now, my dad is very smart. When he was in his coma from his stroke or unable to speak at other moments, my mom and dad had a code of blinking twice if he could hear mom or squeezing hands for pain. Mom and I were about to learn a new code. So the nurse wheels him into the speech pathologist room and is talking to him in this gentle, baby talk voice. My dad, we could tell, found it annoying. She said something along the lines of, “Now Jim, to gauge your speech capabilities, I am going to say a letter of the Alphabet and I’m going to have you say the first word that comes to mind. What do you think of when I say the letter A?” Now, she was expecting words like “at, a, and” from a stroke patient who has had this bad of a stroke. My dad said, “Aardvark” and then rolled his eyes. That was our new code. The “do you think I am this debilitated that I’ve lost my mind too?” code. He played along though. She next said, “B” for which he responded, “Benevolence.” Next came the letter “C”. His response: Courage. Then D. Determination. M was Movies, his favorite thing, but you could see his will power and positive thinking come through. I do believe F might have been choice profanity though. We blamed it on the drugs. P was Platypus. My dad was saying, “I can and I will.” It was a moment for all of us. It was a moment of hope, courage and also laughter, which is so key in these dreadful situations.

He had not only had a stroke and three brain surgeries and was so ill, but through it all he maintained his wit and humor and it was his way of telling us he was going to be ok. We aren’t born with our first words being, “I can’t”. It isn’t until we have a few life experiences that we learn what we are capable of or what other people think we are capable of. Sometimes our successes get lost in life and we start to feel like we can’t or it’s too late to be that writer I always wanted to be, or that painter or that trip taker and we become stuck and often give up. That is where PERCOLATE steps in and becomes your favorite word. When someone tells me, “I can’t” I go to the walls of Sister Kenny Rehab Center in Minneapolis and often want to take the “I can’t” person along for a field trip to show just what people can do with a lot less. When my dad had his stroke in 2004, we spent months in this facility wondering if he would ever speak again, walk again or even see again. During those darkest moments, my mom and I would go for hospital walks. The art work displayed all around the hospital was beautiful and we would admire it. Then upon closer examination, we became inspired by what the people who couldn’t and had nothing left were doing to make the best of it. The blind were painting from memory. The Thalidomide babies were painting with their feet or stubs. The paralyzed painted with their mouth. People painted even with eyelashes and elbows. Not just average art work, but works of art. The Best of the Best. We came to life because of it. We thought it isn’t what you’ve lost, but what you have left. Just describing them to my dad, gave a will and how wonderful and thoughtful of Sister Kenny to make the entertainment match the moment. You can. I’m talking to my mom on the phone right now as I write this and her added wisdom is this, “A lot of people my age spend

their time wondering when their number is up. How they’ll die, when they’ll die and what their dying outfit will be. A friend ofmine the other day called me up and asked me if I would speak at her funeral. On the other hand, my 83-year-old friend is so excited about my daughter’s wedding that she keeps sending me pictures on her cell phone of dresses she is selecting and has also gone on a diet.” Life isn’t predictable, for the most part or at all really. Life isn’t fair. So while you are living, LIVE. If you are reading this, smile. You are alive. It might not be so easy to just roll out of bed with a smile, gratitude and a love for the day ahead! You might have to learn. What if each night before you feel asleep, you spent a moment reviewing the day and giving thanks for all the great moments and for the crappy ones too? The trick is to still do these things when life gets tough or throws you a curve or twist or fireball. Can you maintain a positive sense of yourself, be positive to those around you and the world as a whole under trying circumstances? It is difficult, but with thought you can focus on positive and not swim in a pool of negativity, stress or anxiety. Submitted by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, the CEO and Founder of The Best Ever You Network and author of PERCOLATE (due out Fall 2012). www.besteveryou.com

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Are You Unhappy and Don’t Know What to Do? 4 Ways to “Do Happiness” By Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME

o what is happiness,? We know when we feel it, and we certainly know when it’s missing. When was the last time you felt totally happy? As you remember now, were you smiling a lot, were you laughing, did you feel light inside, were your eyes sparkling? But it’s not this moment-to-moment happiness that eludes you is it? You can laugh at a joke or smile at someone and feel good, but that’s not enough because soon after that moment you go back to where you usually hang out emotionally. Do you feel uneasy, frustrated, sad, angry, blah, numb, or unhappy most of the time? Do you switch back and forth from sad and depressed to angry? If so, you are not alone, many people feel this way all the time and they don’t know what to do to fix it. The number one cause of unhappiness is when our personal expectations for life are not met. Here’s an example: If I expected to love my job, but I find that it actually stinks and the people are jerks, then I might be unhappy… Or if I expect to be in a relationship with a partner who meets my needs, and it doesn’t happen, I might be unhappy. The longer I stay in that job, or with that partner, the more unhappy I might become. I can begin to find more things wrong with both, making me more and more unhappy until I get depressed and feel numb about it, or get so upset that I make a change. Often, when people make a change for the sake of

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Here’s what you need to know: 4 Ways to Do Happiness 1. Be Grateful. According to the scientific research, the fastest way to happiness is gratitude. Find some things to be grateful about. Create a list and go over it in your mind at night before you go to bed, and in the morning when you wake up. Feel the gratitude. If you are not feeling it, this won’t work. What are you thankful for? What could you be grateful for? There is an unending list of things that you could be grateful for if you actually thought about it a little instead of saying, “I can’t be bothered thinking that gratitude stuff.” There are millions of things to be grateful for, including the fact that you probably can see and hear, have 2 arms and 2 legs, have your original heart and liver, have a place to live, have a bathroom that works and it’s inside, and maybe you even havesomeone who cares about you. You get the idea; there can be lots to be grateful for. The impact of gratitude alone raises happiness levels by 25%. According to more research from UC Davis, happy people live 7-9 years longer than unhappy people. You can always keep your misery as long you want later on, but you could also find time to be grateful.

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change, it’s only a matter of time before they go back to being unhappy. So what can you do to change it permanently?

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

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2. Move Your Body. In order to experience a different set of emotions you need to move your body differently and change your facial expressions. How often do you exercise? It sends endorphins throughout your body making you feel better. Put a smile on your face even when you don’t feel like it. This little habit actually begins to shift the chemicals in your brain and you can feel better if you do this often. It doesn’t have to take a huge change to feel better! It’s easy to stand tall with your chin up, or to sit upright on the edge of your seat anticipating something wonderful. Anyone can do it. 3. Change Your Thoughts. Most of us have a bunch of negative junk that we say to ourselves over and over again throughout the day. It’s hard to be happy if you keep asking yourself, Why did this happen to me? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I snap out of it? What am I going to do with my life? Why can’t I get anything done? What am I doing wrong? Go ahead and plug in your favorite if you want. I know you have one; I have heard so many versions of this and much worse. Change your thoughts to something that’s more empowering. As soon as you catch yourself with the negative self talk, change it immediately. Be kinder to yourself. You’ve beaten yourself up enough. When you catch yourself saying something negative replace it with a positive state-

ment. And dump all your WHY questions, because they put you into a mental tailspin. For example: “Why is this always happening to me?” That presupposes that it always will. There is no solution in that question, only more pain. Change it to: What can I learn from this so that it never happens again? In that moment your mind opens itself up to solutions and not more problems. Or, “What could I learn from this if I was truly committed?” There are always solutions if we ask the right questions. 4. Contribute Beyond Yourself. Stop being so focused on you all the time. There are people out there who need you, and you can help them even if you aren’t sure you have anything to offer. You have YOU, and that’s good enough. Give of yourself to someone who is in need. There are countless ways to do good deeds for strangers, and volunteer possibilities that will make you feel better. There are hospitals full of children struggling, and Veterans hospitals full of lonely wounded soldiers, and soup kitchens, and elderly, and someone needs help…you see my point. I promise you that you will feel better about you when you make someone else smile or do a kind gesture. These 4 Ways to “Do Happiness” will work if you work them. It’s easy if you want it to be, and it’s too hard to be bothered with if that’s what you decide. You always have a choice whether you want to admit it or not. You get to decide how you want to spend your mental energy and time. For example: I could mull over the injustice in my life, and how wrong it all is, and how could this have happened to me because I didn’t deserve it,

and how can I ever forget how they treated me, and that it’s completely unfair, and woe is me, and it’s all about me, and I am going to keep on like this every day for the rest of my life….or maybe not! By the way it’s helpful to laugh at yourself from time to time. I do it often, and highly recommend it. What you may not understand is that the short-term pain of unhappiness is nothing compared to the long-term regret of doing nothing to change it. Particularly when you know it was just a decision that you could have easily made. So, take the easy way out. Use your courage! You have 20 seconds of courage inside you at any moment that you can remember all day long. Use it. Raise your standards. Decide what’s acceptable and no longer part of who you are. Do the 4 Ways of Happiness and see what happens. Give it just a little time – 30 days – that’s all, and see what happens. For the next 30 days, imagine that you like yourself and give these 4 Ways an honest effort. You will realize that you can change how you feel now, and it’s not as hard as you made it out to be. After you’ve been happy for a while, you will discover another level that comes after feeling happy. You deserve to feel great! It won’t happen by itself, and it won’t happen without you. Jeff Forte CSIC CME is a Life Coach with Certifications in Strategic Intervention and Marriage Education. He sees clients in his Glastonbury CT office and can be reached at (860)633-8555. See ad on page 20.

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The Obesity Epidemic-Part II Naturopathic Treatments for Obesity: The New Obesity Paradigm By Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, LAc.

besity is certainly directly linked to overeating sugar, fat and empty calories, and to lack of exercise. But researchers are increasingly finding that obesity is a disease caused by imbalances in the endocrine system, which involves many hormonal systems. In fact, the fat cell itself has been found to be an endocrine organ that produces several hormones which have the effect of producing even more fat cells, and that can turn off enzymes that burn fat. Common hormonal imbalances contributing to obesity include thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome and Polycystic Ovarian syndrome. In most of these conditions, appropriate treatment of the primary disease results in weight loss. But what about the majority of obese people who don’t have these conditions? Why don’t diet and exercise help them lose weight and keep it off?

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

We know that common lifestyle choices can result in the same end-effect as actual hormonal disorders. Untreated stress and insomnia cause elevated levels of the adrenal stress-hormone cortisol. Over time, constantly elevated cortisol levels cause imbalances of other hormones, such as insulin and leptin. Stress, cortisol and leptin hormones cause blood sugar changes, increased blood pressure and inflammation in the body, and send signals to the brain to over-eat. Recent reports have targeted sugar and its many different forms, which can actually affect the brain in the same way that drugs and alcohol do, which may lead to sugar addiction. Naturopathic therapy for obesity includes evaluation and treatment of the individual’s lifestyle, sleep patterns, diet, stressors, medical conditions, and correction of hormone and nutritional imbal-

ances. Patients receive custom detoxification programs and personalized diet and food plans combined with consistent follow up and support to help obese patients lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. Starting with lifestyle and stressors, Naturopathic treatment includes comprehensive adrenal stress-hormone testing and treatment with natural remedies to bring the stress hormones back into balance. Adrenal stress hormone imbalances can result in adrenal fatigue with depressed cortisol levels, or elevated cortisol levels. Adrenal fatigue is treated with adrenal adaptogens such as rhodiola, licorice, ashwaganda, phosphatidylserine, and others. Learning stress management techniques like Heartmath, lifestyle changes, energy medicine, acupuncture and meditation are crucial for regaining balance in life. Insomnia is a common factor in obese individuals. Getting a sleep study done to check for sleep apnea is the first step. Testing neurotransmitters and stress hormones at night will help target the source of insomnia, leading to effective naturopathic treatment to balance neurotransmitters and stress hormones at night to facilitate a normal night’s sleep, without drugs. Creating a personalized diet to fit each individual’s needs is fundamental in treating obesity. Many obese people are deficient in vitamins and minerals important for health. Naturopathic testing includes evaluation for vitamin, mineral and anti-oxidant status, blood sugar and Hba1c levels, and the cardiovascular risk factors Cardio CRP and cholesterol fractionation testing. Taking

into account additional factors such as blood type, an individualized naturopathic diet and supplement plan is created. Detoxification is a central theme in naturopathic treatment for obesity. For decades, studies have shown that toxins in our bodies contribute to weight gain, fatigue, heart disease, neurological problems and cancer. A personalized detoxification program is created for each individual, including a whole-food detox diet, juicing, smoothies, colon hydrotherapy, infra-red sauna, with liver and whole body detox support. Patients are surprised at how great they feel after detoxifying under the supervision of their naturopath, and many are able to start a healthy exercise program. Last but not least is support. Many patients have been dismissed by their medical doctors, or prescribed a plethora of drugs which have many potential adverse side effects. The greatest service I can provide to my patients as a naturopathic physician is listening to them and giving support on their journey back to health. Dr. Helene Pulnik is a board-certified, licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist. She has more than 25 years ‘ experience as a healthcare professional. She is in private practice and is accepting new patients. Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center, 18 School Street, Glastonbury. 860-657-4105. info@naturopathicwellness.com. www.naturopathicwellness.com. See ad on page 41.

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“ I personally promise that you will receive a pain-free and stress-free dental appointment, or your money will be cheerfully refunded. Livingstone Dental Excellence is one of only 1500 holistic dental offices out of 150,000 dental practices in the U.S. You will receive prompt, professional service and will be treated like our own friends and family. Livingstone Dental Excellence even offers its’ own in-house dental benefits plan for about $25 per month, per person. I personally promise you will be thrilled with your results, or I will keep working until you are.” -Thomas Livingstone, DMD

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Protecting Your Prostate By Vicki Kobliner MS, RD, CD-N

he prostate is a walnut-sized, seminal-fluid producing gland - located just below the bladder. Disorders of the prostate, most notably prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are quite common in elderly and middle aged men. Prostate cancer ranks number one for male cancers, and even men who do not develop malignancy often have some cancerous cells in the organ. Disorders of the prostate result from changes in hormonal balance. As men age, they begin to produce less testosterone and more of both estrogen and a lesser known hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is increased DHT which promotes the growth of additional cells (hyperplasia) and results in an enlarged prostate.

BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can obstruct the urethra. This often causes a loss of bladder function due to incomplete emptying. Common symptoms include trouble starting a urine stream, a frequent need to urinate, a slow or interrupted stream, straining, or night waking to urinate. It is important to identify and address these symptoms early, since untreated BPH can cause further damage, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Many dietary supplements can reduce prostate enlargement. In particular, Beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol which is related to cholesterol, inhibits a specific enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. By doing so, it limits the cell proliferation that DHT typically induces. Nettle is another plant compound that has been shown to increase urinary volume in BPH. Rye pollen can decrease symptoms. Pygeum is another herb which reduces the functional symp-

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

toms of BPH and night waking. Saw palmetto is the leading herbal treatment of BPH, but there is conflicting evidence as to its effectiveness. There are multiple high-quality studies that underscore a positive effect, while additional research shows no improvement in symptoms. It is very safe, so it’s worth a trial. Physically active men have a lower frequency of BPH, and in one study, physical activity was associated with lower incidence and reduced symptoms of BPH.

Prostatitis Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It can be painful and in some cases debilitating. While prostatitis may be bacterial in nature, it usually is not, and antibiotics are ineffective in non-bacterial episodes. Symptoms include painful urination, frequency and urgency, with pain in the lower back and groin. Drinking a generous amount of fluid daily helps keep the prostate healthy and avoids bacterial overgrowth. The herb quercetin reduces pain and can improve quality of life, but does not seem to improve voiding in patients with prostatitis. Bromelain is another anti-inflammatory compound which is effective, while in bacterial cases, cranberry can limit the attachment of bacteria to cell walls, and result in a reduction of symptoms.

Prostate Cancer For prostate cancer prevention and treatment, some standard dietary recommendations apply. A diet high in produce and legumes, low in sugar and processed foods, moderate in animal

protein, with particular emphasis on cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower is cancer protective. The cruciferous vegetables contain sulfur, a potent cancer fighter. Garlic and onion also are helpful in this regard. In addition, lycopene, a carotenoid compound found in naturally red foods such as tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava, has been shown to protect against prostate cancer and may possibly reduce the size of an existing tumor. People who consume fatty fish, and the omega 3s they provide, have a lower risk of prostate cancer, while genistein, a prominent compound in soybeans, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Genistein may also have additional cancerfighting properties which require further study. Minerals such as zinc and selenium also are cancer protective, but frequently are inadequate in a typical American diet. Pumpkin seeds and Brazil nuts are a good source of zinc and selenium and make a great daily snack. Green tea is a powerful and tasty antioxidant that may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. Dairy, on the other hand, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Countries with the highest milk consumption have an increased incidence of prostate cancer, and some small studies indicate that American men who drink the most dairy products have an 11% higher risk. While this may not be a cause and effect relationship, it is prudent to avoid an excess of milk-based products. Good dietary habits, exercise and appropriate nutritional supplementation can not only decrease the uncomfortable symptoms or more serious complications of prostate disorders, but may preclude the need for an invasive and expensive surgical procedure. Vicki Kobliner MS, RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition (www.holcarenutrition.com). Vicki works with infants, children and adults with digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD, autism and other chronic illness, and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. Vicki has extensive experience in using dietary modification, appropriate supplementation and functional lab testing to achieve optimal wellness. She can be reached at 203.834.9949 or vicki@holcarenutrition.com. See ad on page 35.

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Are You In A Rut? By Patrick DeFrancesco, DC

“ am in a rut,” is often heard from many who are

depressed. Ruts have been called “graves with the ends kicked out”– ruts are not a great place to live. Today, more than ever, patients are diagnosed with clinical depression, and antidepressant pharmaceutical sales are soaring. People are masking a condition that needs to be handled properly. We need to look into this condition, learn why it is on the rise, and then investigate natural, safe solutions to reduce its effects. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines depression as: an area lower than the surrounding one, sadness or gloom, or a period of decline in business activity and employment. The term can pertain to many situations or activities; when a person is depressed all areas of his/her life are affected, from the social to the physical and mental. Why are so many people depressed today? Could our lives be so demanding and competitive that the resulting pressure causes it? There are several symptoms of depression and some of the more common ones are worth mentioning here. They include: increased irritability; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; agitation or restlessness; fatigue and loss of energy; trouble thinking clearly, making decisions or concentrating; disturbed sleep such as insomnia; changes in appetite or weight; decreased sex drive; and thoughts of death or suicide. When people begin to experience these symptoms they might brush them off and think they are fine – at first. Perhaps they suppress the symptoms with medications, illegal drugs or too much alcohol. What they may not realize is that depression, and a chronic negative attitude, may also be lowering their resistance, thus affecting not only their health and well-being, but their longevity. Most people with symptoms of depression benefit from coaching that revolves around cognitive changes and goal setting. Reprogramming your mind to think positively is crucial in beating depression. In our society many successful people have a life coach assist them, especially when times are difficult. There are many other avenues one can try to obtain help with depression. We will explore simple and effective ways to combat depression. These action steps will help you return to an active and productive life. First, find a professional therapist to talk with about what you are experiencing. Usually the best method of finding a therapist is by word of mouth. Never feel insecure about going to a therapist for help. Once you begin to ask around for recommendations, it will become obvious how many people go. A good rule to follow is, if the therapist prescribes medication immediately, they may not be the correct match for you. The next area that needs to be looked at is your organizational skills. You become what you surround yourself with. So if your home, auto, or office are in chaos and unorganized, you will become that way internally. How many of you clean your home and organize your desk, closet, and other areas that surround you? After you do so it feels good, as if someone removed weights from your

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

shoulders. Reevaluate your surroundings and realize that less is more. Adopt a minimalistic lifestyle. If you have less to worry about then stress goes down and positive feelings rise. Another step to help fight depression is to exercise daily. People who suffer with depression often say, “I can’t get the energy to do it.” To conquer depressed thoughts and actions you need to move above those thoughts and push yourself to get out of your room or off the couch in order to begin an exercise program. Start off slow and go for a 30 minute walk. Other options for exercise include yoga, working out at a gym around other people, swimming, or biking in a group. The benefits of exercise are twofold when fighting depression: it gets you out and around other people and increases your body’s metabolism and release of natural pain killers, which helps you begin to experience good energized feelings again. Plus, if you feel better about the way you look, depression will decrease dramatically. Monitor your food choices to help diminish depressed feelings. Avoid sugar, too many carbohydrates or other junk foods. Consider a full-body dietary cleanse and you will be amazed how little food you need to function on a daily basis. Most people overeat inappropriate foods and wonder why they are not feeling optimal. Gravitate toward a whole food diet rich in fruits and vegetables. As cliché as this may sound, you ARE what you eat. Nutrition is a vital link in the fight against depression. Also, consider adding a few choice supplements to your diet such as Folic acid, GABA, Inositol, Omega 3’s, and St John’s Wort. Lastly, the power of touch helps restore the body’s inner energy which promotes a healthy attitude. Forms of body work that have been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression include therapeutic massage, reiki (energy work) , chiropractic care, and acupuncture. These forms of healing have been in existence for hundreds of years and are extremely beneficial in restoring proper energy flow throughout the body. Many of these practitioners can be found in the resource section in the back of this magazine or by personal referral. These potential solutions in the management of depression will only be effective if you organize a weekly plan of implementation. It gets back to organization and the ability to motivate yourself to action. Start today by taking one step toward recovery and control of this condition. Remember, stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. You have everything you need for change. Now just do it! Submitted by Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco of Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury. For more information, contact 860-657-8800 or visit www.glastonburychiro.com.

What Kind of Healthcare Do You Buy? al

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very day, we hear people talk about the high cost of healthcare in our country. Our government is struggling to figure out how to fix a system that many are unhappy about. On the evening news, we learn that once again, obesity and Type II Diabetes are on the rise. There are commercials on TV advertising prescription drugs for cholesterol and heart disease. Patients are frustrated and want to find a cure for their various health conditions that seem to be taking over their lives. So what is the answer for this healthcare dilemma? Let’s think about the type of healthcare that many people buy for themselves every day. We live in a capitalist society that revolves around supply and demand. Supply is what businesses provide when there is enough consumer demand in the market to support it. Consumers are starting to read labels and become more aware of processed foods and ingredients such as sugar, transfats, preservatives, and harmful chemicals. Consumers, whether they realize it or not, purchase their healthcare every day. What kind do you purchase?

Insurance To most people, the word healthcare means insurance. Yet insurance doesn’t take care of your health, you do. What insurance covers isn’t healthcare, it is disease care. Your money goes into the pool of the plan, and when you get sick, you spend some of the money by going to see the doctor. The doctor will perform a diagnosis and prescribe a pharmaceutical, sometimes for life, unless you take charge of your own healthcare and eliminate the root causes of your condition. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) understand the healthcare dilemma, and yet have a different type of interpretation on this issue. NDs’ approach to healthcare focuses on cost-saving strategies such as prevention, healthy living, and natural remedies. Once an acute problem arises, for example a sinus infection, treatment focuses on finding natural remedies before a patient needs to resort to a prescription drug. Then we search for the cause of any chronic health issue that leads to acute conditions, and we address it. Insurance companies have figured out that if they push prevention, you, the patient, cost them less money. While this is true, instead of actual preventive methods, most insurance companies instead encourage tests to see if you are preventing an ailment that they don’t want to end up paying for down the line. Yet tests don’t prevent anything. Tests probably wind up costing more insurance dollars because if the test doesn’t come out exactly the way it should, then you still end up with a prescription that the insurance will have to pay for. Sometimes for a lifetime supply. Sometimes for

something that could be treated and resolved for a lot less money. Insurance companies will pay for an expensive version of fish oil that a pharmaceutical company has created for people who don’t tolerate cholesterol medications. That’s right; insurance companies are paying for patients to take $120.00 per month fish oil. Yet those who don’t have insurance can get the same fish oil for $25 - $50 a month. If this is the healthcare you buy, it is helping to drive the cost of medicine higher, even if all you have to pay is your co-pay, in the end we all pay more.

Intervention The medical profession averts health disasters in patients through intervention medicine which includes pharmaceuticals and surgery. Intervention medicine grows in response to the supply and demand of Americans with issues such as diabetes, obesity complications, and heart disease. Many patients look to fix symptoms with a prescription drug. It is amazing that there is a demand for all the drugs advertised on TV with all of the side effects the ads disclose. Are you a consumer of this medicine?

The Sugar Demand There was a recent TV ad in New York that educated viewers about the amount of sugar in a can of soda. It ruffled some feathers; there are about 11-16 sugar packets per can. Many were outraged because the ad might stop consumers from buying soda. This in turn would put other Americans out of work and soda companies would go out of business. But should we really consume soft drinks to keep workers employed? Don’t worry, the demand for beverages will continue, and jobs won’t be lost. Soda companies listen to their consumers and the demand for more healthy choices is growing, and the supply will follow. (With that said, don’t be fooled by what appears to be a healthy drink. Read the label.) Something to think about though, if you do consume large amounts of sugary or diet soda every day, what kind of healthcare are you buying with that drink?

Processed Food The processed food experiment is ongoing. The subjects in the processed food experiment are the general public, and the results are increasing obesity rates and Type II diabetes. People want to NaturalNutmeg.com

believe the FDA will help to protect us. The FDA isn’t in the business of making sure Americans consume processed or sugary foods in moderation. The FDA simply clears foods that won’t kill you when you swallow it once. The processed food industry will keep the supply of nonnutritive food coming as long as there is a demand for it. Not to say that no one will ever eat these foods, that would be unrealistic. But consumers should be more aware of what they’re choosing to put on their plates. Larger portions and consumption of unhealthy foods correlates to larger health issues. If these foods are the center of your diet, you are buying a lot of health risks.

Good Food, Good Health Are you buying organic foods? The health food industry is growing exponentially with an abundance of organic fruits and vegeta-

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bles, raw nuts and seeds, grass fed beef, and free range chicken and eggs. Consumers are trending toward buying food that most closely resembles the way it is in nature. This makes it more likely that your body will assimilate the ingredients into nutrients. Dr Gazsi, an ND in Danbury adds, “Don’t forget, food is the best medicine. I teach people how a little prep time can really make it easier to eat healthy meals.” A recent study showed organic farmers are now making more profit per crop than conventional farms. The demand for better food is shifting the supply to more organic foods, at an even lower cost for the consumers. Big supermarket chains now carry organic lines, and they aren’t interested in your healthcare. Supermarkets are interested in selling what healthy consumers want to buy. Is this the healthcare that you buy?

Preventative Medicine REAL preventative medicine IS healthcare. It is the healthcare that the patients provide themselves. It is the type of patient who seeks practitioners to prevent disease, control chronic conditions (with or without drugs) and even treat acute conditions without medication. The increasing popularity of alternative medicine proves that many patients are starting to look at the big picture and the root causes of their conditions. Naturopathic doctors look at the patient who has a disease, and not the disease that a patient has. NDs look at the interconnectedness of the body, and the entire health of the patient to correct a symptom. Everyone, including the insurance companies, benefits from preventative care. Consumers are in charge of the healthcare they buy. Patients can change the demand by purchasing healthy foods, exercising, and

practicing preventative medicine. The supply will follow in the form of better health care options. To learn more about naturopathic medicine, or to find a licensed naturopathic doctor near you, visit ProNaturalPhysicians.com. All ProNatural Physicians Group NDs are providers for most major insurance carriers. Ann Aresco, ND, ProNatural Physicians Group. ProNatural Physicians Group, LLC is a network of naturopathic doctors who serve patients throughout Connecticut. The member-based organization provides administrative support such as insurance coding for service reimbursement and insurance credentialing. Interested NDs may contact Dr. Aresco for membership information. www.pronaturalphysicians.com. 860-505-0702. 355 New Britain Rd., Kensington, CT 06037. See ad on page 39.

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Where Is the Hair On My Head Going? Part 4

Depressed about hairloss? Is testosterone the cause? Hair Restoration and Replacement By Donyelle McBride

f you think losing your hair isn’t depressing, then simply visit your local barber shop and ask for a “baldy”; Not on your next to-do list? I thought not; I have many conversations with men and women who are losing their hair. Unanimously, the people who have hair always say they would be ok if they started losing it. But many people who are experiencing hair loss are continuously looking for solutions. Most people notice hair from birth to death. When they look at a newborn baby they frequently describe the baby’s hair. “Oh! He has a head full of hair!” Or, “Oh, she’s completely bald!” Or, “Oh! He only has hair on top.” I have yet to hair (pun intended) people say.... “Oh! He/she is soooo healthy looking!” Throughout life we try to look our best and make sure our manes our properly groomed. The truth of the matter is, for many, hair loss is extremely depressing. Men are less likely to publicly admit it because they may be viewed as weak or vulnerable although it is more acceptable to be bald if you’re a man; Women have more support with their depression over hair loss with several wig options however bald women are less accepted by society unless undergo-

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ing chemotherapy…maybe; Even undergoing chemo...it is a very depressing time; “My mother was dying from cancer when I was 17; I never saw her cry until she began losing her hair. If that doesn’t make people understand the gravity of hair loss, I don’t know what will.”-Geoff The simple act of showering can be torturous. Seeing your hair going down the drain can feel like a slow death. Some have trouble concentrating at work because they are constantly checking to see if any new hairs have fallen on their desk. Going out with friends is less enjoyable. One can become more and more self-conscious about their appearance and become obsessed with hair loss. Many experience the demise of their self-esteem. Losing your hair can drastically change the way you perceive yourself and it can change the way others react to you in all aspects of life. Men and women may find themselves rejected because of the hair loss. Because of this fact, it’s reasonable to have feelings of confusion and despair. It can be very difficult to deal with;

What is the cause of this ugly depressing thing anyway? There’s an entire hair-loss industry because men and women want to do something about their lost hair. Unfortunately, many wait until after their hair loss has become advanced to start doing anything about it, and most of them spend their time, money, and effort on covering up or slowing their rate of hair loss later on, rather than preventing hair loss in the first place. Most of the money spent is done after hair loss has already become a serious problem. Targeting the source of hair loss is recommended. In many cases, a chemical byproduct of testosterone – Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – is to blame. Too much testosterone in the body is converted to DHT. Blocking DHT is one of the most effective ways to stop hair loss before it becomes a serious problem. These methods also are known to help clients recover from the effects of hair that has already begun thinning and falling out, but has not yet become irreversible. For men, it is documented that lifting weights can increase hair loss due to increased testosterone in the body. In women, menopause and the onset of menopause can increase hair loss due to the lack of estrogen. When there is less estrogen in a woman’s body, the body recognizes more testosterone and begins to naturally break down the testosterone turning it into DHT. Hence, the hair loss begins. If you find yourself being less social, hiding from photos, not wanting to look in the mirror, scared to comb your hair, and/or covering up with hats, there may still be hope. Our office works with physicians Dr. S. Michael Fuhrman, D.O.-Medical Director, Dr. Santiago Alvarez, N.M.D., and Dr. Michael S. Albert, M.D. to ensure quality therapy. Treatment is most successful with early detection. Your hair loss is highly unlikely to restore itself. Allow MHR to help provide the proper environment to help regrow your hair. When there appears to be no solution, there’s McBride Hair Replacement and Salon Service LLC. MHR is committed to helping those who may be experiencing hair loss. Until there’s a cure for Androgenetic Alopecia, MHR would like to help you feel comfortable in society again. Go to your next social event without a hat. Smile at your next school or family reunion. Receive 6 free laser treatments with your program when you mention Natural Nutmeg. Call for you consultation today! Submitted by Donyelle McBride, Trichologist. Article clips by The Bald Truth. For more information, visit www.mcbridehair.com or call 860-985-2081. See ad on page 6.

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know your herbs

Andrea Candee, MH,MSC

Herbal Detoxification Program

’m often asked about using herbs for detoxification. Herbs do have a wonderful way of cleansing and nourishing the body.

Why consider cleansing? What are some of the reasons people might consider doing a cleanse? If colds are coming too frequently. If you’ve eaten overindulgently for quite a while. If you’re feeling like your body is congested. If you are having skin issues. If you tend to suffer from constipation. Just because… we live in a stressful world where our air, food and water is challenged with toxic emissions, pesticides and chemicals. We often think of change of season as good time for cleansing but if you need it at another time, don’t wait for the season’s solstice. My favorite program of detoxification was designed by Dr. John R. Christopher, father of modern day herbalism. Dr. Christopher’s herbal formulations are non-toxic and non-habit forming. The program is designed to cleanse kidneys, bladder, liver, colon and skin (organs of elimination). It finishes by cleansing the bloodstream as the final sweep. If you do not see the cleanse through to its finale with the Bloodstream formula, you may experience flu-like symptoms. By detoxifying all of these organs in concert, you should feel increased vitality rather than the weakness often experienced with detoxification programs.

Drink lots of water! The following formulas consist of plants that have been dehydrated; therefore they must be ingested with large amounts of water to rehydrate them. Keep in mind that the plants were largely composed of water when in their natural state. If heartburn should develop shortly after taking the capsules, it just means you haven’t taken them with enough water. Distilled water has been found to enhance the herbs’ effectiveness by up to 30% over tap or spring water. A minimum of ten 8oz glasses of water should be taken each day to assist flushing of toxins. Drinking water at room temperature is better for the body. Also, it is not easy to ingest large amounts of water when it is chilled.

Eat healthfully! Fasting is not recommended with this detox. A healthful plan of eating should be adhered to. The ideal would be what Dr. Christopher called a “mucusless” diet consisting of lots of vegetables, a moderate amount of grains, fresh (not dried) fruits, small amounts of healthy fats like olive and coconut oils, and a small amount of nuts and seeds (avoiding dairy and meat which cause mucus in the body). You may suspend taking vitamin supplements while cleansing as your diet and herbs will provide all the nourishment you need.

Do the best you can! You will develop a comfortable rhythm within a few days. The program is written in its ideal form in terms of the timing of doses. 36

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

The important thing to remember is not to stress over taking the formulas. This would be counterproductive. Prepare a simplified schedule on an index card and follow it as best you can. Most of the formulas can be combined except for Liver & Gall Bladder and Bloodstream. Separate their intake by approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. Dr. John R. Christopher’s Herbal Detoxification Program Lower Bowel - This is not a laxative but a formula designed to cleanse and nourish and rebuild the colon area. • 2 capsules AM • 2 capsules PM. If diarrhea occurs and persists beyond 3 days, reduce the dose either by taking one capsule in the AM and one in the PM, or eliminating the morning dose. Continue taking until Bloodstream Formula is finished. Liver & Gall Bladder (cleanser and tonic) • 3-4 capsules, 2-3 times a day. Take ½ hour before meals. If queasiness is experienced, take with meals. Take for 3 weeks. Kidney Formula (kidney/bladder cleanser) • 2-3 capsules, 2 times a day. Take mid-morning and mid-afternoon – not at night! This formula may cause you to urinate more often and more fully. Take for 2 weeks, save remainder to be used as a diuretic when needed (eg. water retention caused by PMS, salty foods, etc.). Bloodstream (blood cleanser) • 2-3 capsules, 2-3 times a day. Begin this formula when you stop the Kidney-Bladder Formula. Take 30-60 minutes away from Liver & Gall Bladder Formula (ideally). Take for two weeks. Formula ingredients may be found and purchased at drchristophers.com. If you are under a physician’s care for a chronic illness and/or taking medication on an ongoing basis, be sure to discuss detoxification with your physician first. Herbs may be contraindicated with certain medications (with blood thinners, for example). And finally, it needs to be said: There is no medical advice here. I am not a physician, I do share my many years of experience and knowledge. Self-help requires intelligence, common sense, and the ability to take responsibility for your own actions. Do not use any ideas found here without consulting a medical professional, unless you are a researcher or health care provider. Andrea Candee, MH, MSC, is a master herbalist with a practice in Westchester County. She lectures throughout the country and at corporate wellness centers about taking charge of your health naturally. Media expert and author, her award-winning book, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster), received The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. Andrea is noted nationally for her unique and successful approach to Lyme Disease and works with The Liphe Balance Center in Weston, CT. She may be contacted through her website, AndreaCandee.com (to receive her free e-letter, click on Did You Know?), or at 877 856 7680.

Supplements 101

Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C Thomas A. Giammatteo, DC, PT, IMT,C

Restore Your Body’s Health Over the Summer!

elcome to warm weather and summer fun! What a great opportunity to focus our efforts on restoring optimal health. Here are some helpful strategies that are easy to integrate into your summer schedule for you and your family: 1. Drink lots of water! It is common for people to become dehydrated in the summer months. One problem with dehydration is that it can lead to constipation, especially in children. Be sure to create lots of opportunities for drinking liquids through the day. Water is optimal but, if necessary, you can add a shot of juice or even make a fun spritzer by mixing juice and sparkling water. Drinking mineral water is a great way to get electrolytes into your body and it has less sugar then Gatorade. 2. Get your daily essential fatty acids: It’s so easy to eat fresh fish in the summer months. In addition, supplementing with fish oils is a great source of essential fatty acids. Flaxseed oil also is a wonderful and vegetarian source of omega 3 oils (essential fatty acids). 3. In the summer months we spend a lot of time in the sun. Sunshine is a wonderful source of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health. Research also has shown that being in the sun can combat seasonal affective disorder. 4. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables! Fresh fruit and vegetables, which have many important nutrients and enzymes that are vital for our body’s health, are abundant during the summer. Visit a farmer’s market or join a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm. To learn more about local CSA’s or farmer’s markets, visit: www.localharvest. org. 5. Get lots of exercise! We’ve finally arrived at a time when exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore! You can incorporate daily walks or other types of movement and exercise into your leisure time every day.

Exercise is a fundamental component for building and maintaining a healthy body. 6. Take daily Probiotics to support a healthy gut. 7. Take a daily Vitamin B Complex to create optimal cellular energy, which is essential for every tissue function. 8. Antioxidants like Vitamin C also are important to include in your diet regularly. Vitamin C can be found in many super fruits that are widely available today such as acai, goji, noni, and mangosteen. 9. Try an elimination diet! Your children are not in school—you have more control over their diet. As a family, you can commit to a healthy kitchen, free of certain foods. Here are some ideas of foods to eliminate that typically contribute to health problems, learning and behavioral challenges, pain and other issues: • Gluten • Refined processed sugar • Preservatives and processed foods • Peanuts Other foods that sometimes contribute to health challenges include dairy, corn, soy, tree nuts, and eggs. When instituting an elimination diet it is important to dedicate at least a full 6 weeks to eliminating particular foods completely. Afterwards, introduce food slowly over the period of a month to determine its effect on your body. Some of these latter allergens are great test subjects for time-limited 6 week elimination diets. As for gluten, refined sugar, and preservatives, these are best avoided long term. Gluten is an inflammatory food which means that when it’s ingested it contributes to greater amounts of inflammation in the body, typically in an individual’s weakest system. Consider the common symptoms that you experience, such as headaches, back pain, digestive problems, or other issues such as learning and behavioral challenges, and so on—all of these can be exacerbated by inflammation which is so often

worsened by having gluten in our diet. There are some phenomenal substitutes for gluten today in every food category. A great website to learn more about gluten elimination is: www.instituteofimt.com/gluten-sensitivity. php. Preservatives and processed food as well as refined sugars can contribute to so much illness, short term and long term. They are leading causes of liver disease, pancreas illness and diabetes, cancer, immune deficiency, learning challenges, and so much more. Spending the summer months building a working knowledge will come in handy when it’s time to tackle the school year and its food challenges. It commonly takes a couple of months to initiate the process of changing one’s kitchen to a more natural healthy kitchen. Dedicating the summer to this type of project will help you to start off the school year fresh! Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C is the Practice Manager and Director of Pediatrics for Regional Physical Therapy and The Institute of Integrative Manual Therapy (IIMT), headquartered in Bloomfield, CT. She is also the Dean of the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy (CSIMT). Dr. Connell-Giammatteo has taught courses in IMT nationally and internationally for over 15 years. She received her doctoral degree focusing in neuropediatrics, with a concentration in autism. Thomas A. Giammatteo, DC, PT, IMT,C is Director of Operations for the Institute of Integrative Manual Therapy (IIMT), including Regional Physical Therapy in Connecticut. Dr. Giammatteo holds undergraduate degrees in both Physical Therapy and Human Biology. He received his Doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine from the National College of Chiropractic and earned a Certificate of Meridian Therapy and Acupuncture. See ad on page 28.

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Allostasis and Management of Everyday Stress By Hannah Eucker, DO

e all face it at some point in our day; irritability, moodiness, the perception of stress. In fact, it seems a neverending battle at times. Our lists go on; succeed at work, attend to ailing children or parents, and perhaps deal with acute personal tragedy. But no big deal, we all get by right? Wrong! Our society has created a culture of misconception around lifestyle choices that may be stealthily depleting your health and energy reserves. The result is a body that may still function, but may also be burdened by chronic pains, congestion, indigestion, anxiety… Get the point? This may be living but it is not healthful living and your body will eventually break down. Homeostasis is the state of equilibrium our bodies maintain to keep our physiologic and biochemical processes in balance. Allostasis is the ability to maintain homeostasis through change. It is a normal dynamic response that allows the body to react to perceived stressors through behavioral and physiologic responses. The effect allostasis has on the body comes down to one simple equation: Stress (Allostatic Load) = Selective Vulnerability & Resiliency Factors Propensity to Illness Normally, a stressor is managed by resiliency factors, such as those as noted below, and the body returns to homeostasis. However, if stressors persist and repetitive cycles of allostasis continually tax the body, allostatic load (AL) occurs. AL causes the body to work overtime to maintain physiologic systems. If our bodies are not able to keep up, it leads to illness and disease. The following examples demonstrate effects of allostatic load: • Long-term social stress in mice led to behavior changes akin to depression and anxiety. • College students practicing forgiveness after conflict had lower AL and faster return to homeostasis. • Higher AL led to decline on physical and mental measures. • Infants who lay on their mother’s chest have half the cortisol (stress hormone) levels as those who are removed. • AL is related to people’s perceptions of demands placed upon them. Allostatic load affects every aspect of the mind, body, and spirit. A complex interaction exists amongst these components, and you cannot affect one without affecting the others. Let us look briefly at each component for a better understanding of where allostatic load affects us and what we can do to balance the effects on the body.

Mind. This includes your thoughts and mental processes. It is active throughout your day and is involved in perception and how you choose to respond to an event. As seen in the last point above, AL is related to the perceptions of demands. This means that two identical people who experience the same stressful event will have two very different outcomes depending upon how they perceive that stressor. Does this mean stress is all in your head? Absolutely not! 38

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

What it does mean is that you can have a very real impact on how resilient and vibrant your beautiful body can respond. Just as those college students who practiced forgiveness had a quicker return to homeostasis, so too can the act of stepping back and accepting a situation as-is rather than wishing for a different outcome. Each time you can do this, the less your mind, and thus body and spirit, will be weighed down, and the more free you’ll be to adapt and change. An easy exercise is to let go of something weighing you down each day. This may be as simple as the desire to alter the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam, or as profound as releasing the anger toward a parent or friend who ‘wronged you’ years ago. Try it. Over time, you will replace negative thoughts with a foundation of positive perceptions and improved mental health. Reinforce this with feelings of safety, comfort, and encouragement from a supportive social network.

Body. The body receives insult and toxic exposure through various means. One of the more significant is via the gut, as many foods are now full of chemicals such as pesticides, growth hormones, preservatives, and radiation to name a few. It’s important to minimize toxic ingestion, and to ensureing healthy detoxification. If wastes are not properly eliminated, toxic substances accumulate in your cells, leading to symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headaches, joint pains, fertility issues, mood swings, and even learning disorders and memory loss! Healthy detoxification includes maximizing gut motility and maintaining a highly plant-based diet, with 60%-80% intake coming from raw or lightly steamed vegetables. You may require further support in the form of supplements to balance your detoxification pathways. Our skin is another major detoxification center, and an important one as it is the largest organ system in the body. Every time we sweat, we are ridding the body of toxic substances. But just as toxins can be excreted, they can likewise be absorbed. Consider your lotions, shampoos, detergents, deodorants, and cleaning agents. How many of these have known toxic components? This is where the benefits of saunas, steam baths, and hot tubs enter in. The high heat triggers the body to sweat, thus bringing toxins to the surface for elimination. Infrared saunas are particularly effective as they stimulate the lymphatics, leading to a deeper cleanse. Spirit. Like your mind, your spirit can become bombarded by negative thoughts and perceptions. You can improve the resiliency of your spirit through meditation, prayer, and yoga. There are also simple things you can do such as noting your posture. My favorite example is the Charlie Brown cartoon where his head is hanging down in his ‘depressed stance’. He says “When you’re depressed it makes a lot of difference how you stand…The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better.” He makes a good point! How we stand affects how we feel, so remember to stand tall with your head and chest lifted. Breath is another fundamental component to a healthy spirit. In fact, ‘spirit’ is derived from the Latin spiritus for ‘breath’. Good breath and meditation decrease rates of heart disease and cancer, improve insomnia, and decrease levels of pain. Moreover, all the

peptides in the human body are found in the respiratory system, thus the act of breathing alters peptide expression, leading to calming of the mind and release of grief, fear, and anger. Ultimately, your health becomes a balancing act. By understanding the relation between stressors and resiliency factors, you can make informed decisions to find your own balance and detoxify at the rate your body needs. For more information, visit the Osteopathic Wellness Center in Ridgefield, CT. Hannah Eucker, DO is an Osteopathic physician, board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. She currently works at the Osteopathic Wellness Center in Ridgefield, CT where a holistic and hands-on approach is used to help the patient achieve optimal health and healing. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.osteopathicwellness.net or call 203438-9915. See ad on page 27.

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Doctor’s Notes

By Joseph Feuerstein, MD

Integrative Approaches to Depression

ave you noticed that depression is everywhere? You can read about it on posters and billboards and in magazines and hear about it on any number of television commercials. Cynics would say that the current depression epidemic is being engineered by the pharmaceutical industry in an effort to sell more of their ware. Whether that is true or not, depression is a serious problem in the US. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, American adults have an almost 17% risk of developing depression during their lifetime. In this article I review the evidence for the western and alternative approaches to the treatment of depression and will let you decide for yourselves what works and what doesn’t. Anti-depressant medications and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are two of the mainstays of the western approach to depression. The most common medications on the market are the Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), like Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac, the Select Noradrenergic Uptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), like Wellbutrin, and the drugs that are to varying degrees, a combination of both types of medicine, like Effexor and Pristiq. How do these drugs work? They increase levels of Serotonin (the chemical in the brain that makes you happy) and another stimulating neurotransmitter in the brain called Noradrenaline. The drugs can have lots of side effects, including dry mouth, nausea, poor sleep, agitation, and even sexual side effects.

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Do they work? The answer is a little more complicated than just a simple yes or no. Let’s look the evidence. In the red corner we have the often quoted mantra, based on the clinical studies, that “anti-depressants help about three-quarters of the people who take them.” But wait, we have a spoiler in the works! On January 6, 2010, an article was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which analyzed the results of more than 700 patients in 6 studies. The article concluded that for patients with mild to moderate depression, there was almost no significant difference in improvement whether the patient took a real anti-depressant, or took a sugar (placebo) pill! Is this because anti-depressants don’t actually help to moderate depression? Another possibility is the significant placebo response that was seen in all the trials. The placebo response is where the expectation that a pill (even a fake sugary one) will make you better, is enough to make you actually feel better! Is it your medicine or your mind making you feel better? It is difficult to tell and the issue was hotly debated in the scientific world. The authors also found that in patients with severe depression, there was a substantial benefit in taking the medication instead of taking the sugar pill. In my own practice, I tend to use natural remedies for patients with mild and moderate depression and will refer anyone with severe depression to a psychiatrist for medication.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an important technique in the treatment of depression. Many depressed people have a generally negative outlook on life. They see anything and everything that happens to them during the day in a negative light. They are pessimistic and expect everything to go south or sour. CBT teaches them to change the way they perceive things by using a technique called Cognitive Reframing. For example, imagine you are walking down the corridor at work and a colleague passes you by, ignoring your “good morning” salute. If you are depressed, you may take that as a signal that the person doesn’t like you, that you are unpopular at work, friendless and alone. All that from a missed ‘hello’! These types of thoughts are called cognitive distortions. They are a distortion of reality and aren’t useful. With CBT, people are taught to re-frame their perceptions; to look at reality in a more realistic and positive light. Perhaps your work colleague didn’t hear you or was pre-occupied with something important. There is plenty of evidence that CBT helps with depression and it is now considered a standard of care to use CBT as part of the armamentarium to fight this unfortunate disease. What natural treatments are there to elevate mood? My favorite natural anti-depressant is S-Adenosyl Methionine or SAM-e. It is derived from an amino acid found naturally in all cells. We think it works by elevating the levels of Serotonin in the brain. Sound familiar?

Does it work? According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the US Government, 28 studies on SAMe showed a statistical and clinical improvement in depression symptoms. The report also stated that it works as well as the common anti-depressant medications on the market. My own experience with SAMe is that it works about 60-70% of the time, about the same success rate that you see with the prescription medications. However, before rushing out to stock up on SAMe, a few words of caution. This supplement needs to be taken under the supervision of a physician because it interacts with certain medications, like anti-

depressants. I find that it can cause anxiety and sleep problems. It also is rather stimulating so I wouldn’t take it at night. In addition, it’s expensive, so don’t be shocked when you reach the cash register! Another botanical often used in the treatment of depression is St John’s Wort, which has been found in clinical studies to be as effective as the older class of SSRIs like Prozac and Paxil. It is an excellent herb with one small but significant drawback; it interacts with many drugs, which makes its use limited to only the most simple of patients. In a study of 6,500 Japanese teenagers published in the journal Pediatrics in 2010, researchers found that the group of kids who ate the most fish high in the omega 3 fatty acids EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) had a 27% reduction in the risk of depression compared to the group of kids who consumed the least amount of the fish. This trend was only seen in the boys, for reasons that are not entirely clear. Your brain is full of electric wires called neurons. These neurons, just like the electric wires you find in your kitchen are insulated not with plastic but with a layer of fat called ‘the Myelin Sheath’. There are many different types of fat; saturated fat like those found in cheese and butter, monounsaturated fats like those found in nuts and seeds and polyunsaturated fats that are found in vegetable oils and oily fish. The myelin sheath is composed of a variety of different types of fat. EPA and DHA are two special types of polyunsaturated fats and studies have suggested that these ‘fish oils’ may play an important role in neurotransmitter activity related to depression. I routinely use omega 3 fish oil with patients suffering from either depression or anxiety. I know an Integrative Psychiatrist who feels that unlike with the dosing of regular fish oil that usually con-

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tains slightly more EPA than DHA in each serving, in mood disorders, it is necessary to get a product that is 2-3 more EPA than DHA in each capsule. The evidence for omega 3 fish oil supplementation helping with depression comes from small studies. The one larger study that used a pharmaceutical fish oil called Lovaza in cardiac patients who were already on prescription anti-depressants, showed no improvement in depression scores after 10 weeks compared to those taking the anti-depressant alone. One caveat to that study was that the Lovaza did not have the high proportion of EPA relative to DHA that may be needed specifically in mood disorders and this could explain for the negative results. Have you ever been to South Florida? Perhaps you landed at Miami International Airport and walked outside into a clear sky with radiant sunlight? I imagine your mood lifted the moment you were bathed in those intense, warm yellow rays. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recognized problem in Psychiatry where a person’s mood fluctuates with the different seasons. It is worse in the darker winter months and lighter when the days are long and the summer finally appears. Sometimes in medicine, the solution to a problem is a simple one. If some people’s mood is ‘light sensitive’ then why not add extra light during winter when the days are short and dark? This treatment is called Light Therapy and has been shown to be very effective for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder in a number of good quality clinical trials. There are a couple of tricks you should know before you try this at home. Most people use light therapy in the morning and are exposed to a bank of bright lights for about an hour each day. The other important detail is that these are not your regular fluorescent ceiling lights. They are much more powerful and therefore more expensive. We measure the ‘brightness’ of light in Lux units. The average lighting of an office is about 3-500 Lux. An overcast day will reach about 1000 Lux and a nice sunny day will pass 10,000 Lux, with ease. Light therapy uses lamps that emit at least 7500 Lux. Not as much illumination as a sunny day but clearly much more than the average artificial light.

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Does Light Therapy work in people who don‘t have Seasonal Affective Disorder? A Dutch trial of 89 older persons published in January 2011in the prestigious Archives of General Psychiatry showed a 20% improvement in depression symptoms after only three weeks of daily, 7500 Lux, Bright Light Therapy. The researchers also found that patients exposed to the bright lights were more awake in the mornings and had made significantly less amounts of a stress hormone called Cortisol. I recommend regular physical activity to help elevate the mood of my patients, for example walking 20 minutes daily in the sun. I also talk to them about using physical touch with animals, loved ones and connecting to friends to naturally raise endorphin levels and keep them there! The ancient Chinese art of Acupuncture is a subtle healing form where needles are inserted at specific locations in the body in order to help the body’s own life force or “Chi” flow properly. It is ancient and extremely complex and I would not want to disrespect it by trying to simplify things into a single paragraph. Suffice it to say, that in my own practice, as a Medical Acupuncturist, I use both Acupuncture points on the body and the ears to help with Anxiety and Depression. The most recent review of the evidence for Acupuncture in the treatment of depression concluded that there was still “insufficient evidence” that it might indeed work. Having said that, I have found that with some of my patients there is definitely a positive response. I hope that after having read this article you can begin to see how the integrative approach to the treatment of depression utilizes many different modalities at the same time. It is more than just pill popping. Combining Acupuncture, Light Therapy, Omega 3 supplementation and CBT together with the SSRI or SAMe, will get a better overall effect on the mood, for, as the old adage goes; ‘the sum of the parts is greater than the whole’. Joseph Feuerstein MD is Director of Integrative Medicine at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University College of Surgeons and Physicians in New York.

Is Weight Loss Hypnosis Too Good To Be True? By Michele P. Rousseau

limming down with hypnosis sounds so simple. You relax; the hypnotist speaks; and the excess pounds simply melt away, right? The truth is, natural weight loss was, is, and always will be a matter of calories in versus calories out. More calories must be burned than consumed. With or without hypnosis, in order to lose weight, we must all eat less, exercise more, or both. Hypnosis, however, allows these behaviors to become more enjoyable and easier to accomplish, making it more likely that recipients will continue these healthier habits for the long term. In fact, several studies showed that more weight was lost by those receiving hypnosis along with behavior modification—and the weight stayed off for a longer duration as well—than by those who underwent behavior modification alone. Because behaviors are driven primarily by the subconscious mind, no matter how strong the conscious will might be to exercise and eat healthier, as soon as one’s focus is taken off of her weight loss plan, she immediately returns to the established patterns and habits set up in her subconscious mind.

So, how does one lose weight with hypnosis? Hypnosis is a very relaxed state of consciousness that allows new information to easily take root in the subconscious, thereby transforming old beliefs and thought patterns that no longer serve well. Accessing the subconscious through hypnosis allows the hypnotist to communicate a client’s consciously chosen beliefs to the subconscious mind in order to increase the chances of success and the ease with which a goal is accomplished. For example, if the subconscious believes that “weight loss is hard,” “healthy food is boring,” and “exercise is draining,” then it will find ways to create those experiences. Through hypnosis, beliefs such as these can be replaced with “I enjoy eating nutritious foods” and “exercise is fun and energizing,” and so these chosen beliefs become the new experiences for the hypnosis client and the weight loss process is then perceived in a much more positive way. Weight loss seems to come easily, which it does, not because fat is magically melting off the body, but because there is no more subconscious resistance when it comes to making the necessary lifestyle changes that are required for weight loss and maintenance.

With hypnosis, eating well and exercising come to feel more natural and desirable than previous unhealthy habits. Cravings for fatty or sugary foods are replaced with a desire to choose healthier foods and to eat appropriately sized portions. Old habits of spending evenings on the computer or weekends watching television are replaced with the desire to take walks, ride bikes, go dancing, or engage in other active, calorie burning, pursuits. There’s a popular misconception that hypnotists have control over their clients during hypnosis and therefore can make them do anything. The truth is that hypnotists can not compel a person to exercise and eat well if she does not truly want to change her behavior. One has to have a desire to make positive lifestyle changes in order for the hypnotic suggestions to remain in the subconscious, otherwise the subconscious will resist and reject the suggestions and return to its previous beliefs and habits. Hypnosis for the purpose of weight loss is not a passive process. It takes cooperation and participation. Successful hypnosis clients are open to receiving hypnotic suggestions and, of course, they are committed to making appropriate behavioral changes outside of the hypnotist’s office. When seeking a competent hypnotist, those who promise such things as rapid weight loss with little to no lifestyle change should be avoided. In fact, it’s important to check credentials before working with any hypnotist. Currently, in Connecticut, hypnosis is an unlicensed and self-regulated practice requiring only state registration; therefore it’s important to ask before hiring a hypnotist where they received their training (if they received any formal training at all), if they have experience using hypnosis for the purpose of weight loss (or whatever goal hypnosis is being sought for), and whether they belong to a professional association which requires its members to adhere to high standards of practice. For those wanting to lose weight by living a healthier lifestyle, but who are finding it difficult to give up their old habits and embrace healthy eating and exercise, hypnosis can be a powerful tool. Michele P. Rousseau, is a certified hypnotist and personal life coach in Middletown, CT who can be reached at 860-704-9054 or visit www.micheleprousseau.com. See ad on page

ON THE PATH OF HEALING Usui Reiki Master/Teacher LightarianTM Reiki Master/Teacher Auriculotherapist, Aromatherapist level 1 ~ Also Offering Usui Reiki & Lightarian Classes ~

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Information at www.onthepathofhealing.com NaturalNutmeg.com

Community Calendar Friday, June 1st

Tuesday, June 5th

Meditation with Sound and Light. 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $15.00 ahead $20.00 door. Come and let go of your stress with Crystal Signing Bowl Sound meditation and Light therapy. Space is limited. Register at www.centerforholisticpractices.com located at the newly opened Center for Holistic Practices 963 Queen Street Southington, CT. Call for more information (860) 276-5843 Or (860) 819-8570 Audrey Bennett.

Usui Reiki Level. 6:30pm with carol hipkins. $200. Purple turtle massage and wellness 1 grist mil rd simsbury ct. Call for info and to reserve your spot 860-413-3592 or www.Onthepathofhealing.com.

June Father’s Day Massage Special! The team at the Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury is having a June Father’s Day Massage special, 5.00 off an hour therapeutic massage regularly priced at 65.00. Let’s treat the Men in our lives! The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury, 2934 Main Street., Glastonbury, 860-657-8800.

Saturday, June 2nd

Wednesday, June 6th Auragraphs with Bonnie Wittman. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $30.00. Creatively express your inner self through an auragraph, a representation of your past, present and potential in picture form. Learn how colors, symbols and numbers reflect deeper meaning for you. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, June 3rd

Samadhi Yoga Teacher Training Q&A. 5pm-6pm. FREE. Come and ask questions about our 2012 - 2013 Basic Teacher Training, Yoga Alliance Certified Program. Studio owner and trainer Anne Falkowski, yoga teacher trainer Tracey Sondik, and/or studio manager and trainer Jude Kochman, will talk about this highly successful and life changing program and to provide details for the next program beginning in September. Samadhi Yoga Studio (1st Yoga/Zumba class FREE for local residents), 283 E Center St, Manchester, CT | (860) 646-4341 | samadhiyogastudio.com.

Reiki II Training, 11 am.- 6 pm. Instructed by Jill Cole. A new technique for healing will be given which opens the heart chakra, allowing more love and light to flow. There are three more symbols at this level. A manual and certificate will be provided. For more information contact Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Information Session at The Graduate Institute (TGI). 4:30pm. Learn about TGI’s cutting edge Master of Arts degree in Integrative Health and Healing. This degree program is designed for working professionals. St. Francis Hospital, Center for Integrative Medicine, 114 Woodland St. Hartford, CT 06105 Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www. learn.edu/events to register.

Sky Dancing Tantra. 11am. -6pm. $85 During this event you will have the opportunity to really experience some of the Tantric exercises that are taught in more advanced, multiple day workshops.For more information contact Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Connecting With Your Angels and Spirit Guides. 2:005:00pm. $ 45. Learn how to listen and communicate with your “helpers” who are always there to guide and protect you. Discover how to easily and safely make your own connection, tune into their vibrations and recognize them in the future. Call Gayle @ 203 265 2927 or sunnispirit@ sbcglobal.net. 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. www.return2love.net.

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Saturday, June 9th The meaning and purpose of Ascension. Is it possible for you to become an Ascended Master in this lifetime? Presenter: Barbara M Hardie, Author of Creating Heaven on Earth- A guide to Personal Ascension. Call A Hand in Healing (244 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032) 860-6768500 to reserve your 1:00-3:00pm seat at the special price of $35.00 or visit www.ahandinhealing.co and email your reservation!

Human Relations Training Program Intro. 9am-12pm . Free. A Program for Life. Whether you are seeking growth within yourself, in your professional life, or in your relationships, this program can provide you with an unparalleled understanding of human dynamics. Hartford Family Institute, 17 S Highland St. West Hartford, CT 860.258.4113www.hartfordfamilyinstitute.com. Samadhi Yoga Teacher Training Q&A. 9am-10am. FREE. Come and ask questions about our 2012 - 2013 Basic Teacher Training, Yoga Alliance Certified Program. Studio owner and trainer Anne Falkowski, yoga teacher trainer Tracey Sondik, and/or studio manager and trainer Jude Kochman, will talk about this highly successful and life changing program and to provide details for the next program beginning in September. Samadhi Yoga Studio (1st Yoga/Zumba class FREE for local residents), 283 E Center St, Manchester, CT | (860) 646-4341 | samadhiyogastudio.com. Psychic Saturday. 10a.m. – 4p.m. $20.00 for a 20-minute reading. Receive a private reading with Medium Priscilla Bengtson. Receive guidance from your angels, spirit guides and loved ones. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To pre-schedule an appointment, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, June 10th Women’s Empowerment Meditation. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. $25.00. We invite in our angels and guides to help us release those things that keep us stuck. The energy of the group helps us to release those things that no longer serve our highest good and allow us to live an empowered life. The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. Reiki III. 9:00am-2:00pm. $ 250. Third Degree orReiki III/Advanced Practitioner certification class teaches ancient, powerful and precise healing symbols. You will also learn processes in aura cleaning, body and brain balancing, and working with crystals. Reiki III includes your certification class plus 3 additional night sessions for reviews of healing sessions done by Reiki III participants. Call Gayle @ 203 265 2927 or sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net. 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. www.return2love.net.

Monday, June 11th Past Life Regression. 6:30-8:30pm. $ 20. Past Life Regression is an effective way of discovering the answers and helps you to move forward in life with greater ease. Through exploration of your past lives you can learn about your previous connection with your current family and the significant people in your life. Call Gayle @ 203 265 2927 or sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net. 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. Information Session on The Graduate Institute’s Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing. 5:00pm. Learn about a transformative M.A. program that focuses on humane, empathic, and holistic approaches to health and wellness. Meets at Stamford Hospital’s Tulley Center (32 Strawberry Hill Court Stamford, CT 06902) . Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu/events to RSVP.

Tuesday, June 12th Learning to Let Go. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $35.00. If you are someone who hangs onto emotional issues, lives with pain or needs to release a habit, this workshop will introduce you to the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. Women of Bhakti. 7 pm. $20 Film producer J. Hausner and filmmaker H.Tapper take viewers on a journey into the lives of historical and modern devotees of bhakti yoga in this groundbreaking film. Shot in India and America. For more information contact Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 www.sacredriversyoga.com. Sound Healing with Tibetan Singing Bowls. 7-8:30 pm. $15. Lisa Burch, LCSW & Marna Walter, RN facilitate. Relax with this blend of guided imagery and sound healing with the Tibetan singing bowls, drumming included. Release what no longer serves you. Reiki offered as time allows and Spirit guides. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket if you wish to lie down. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 West Center Street, Manchester, www.spiritmattersct. com. Register: 860-783-5597.

Wednesday, June 13th Healing in Harmony Night. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. FREE. Stop by the center for a FREE healing service. Participants will sit individually with a healer and receive an 8 – 10 minute healing. No reservation required. You will be served in the order in which you enter the center. The healing services are offered one night each month. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For information please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wholistic HCG Fat Loss Program. Educational Seminar $20 per person. Also Thurs. June 28th. Learn how you can lose up to 30 pounds in 40 days with our UNIQUE, safe and effective, medically supervised weight loss program! Time: 6-7pm, Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, Ct. Call 860-657-4105 to reserve your space. www.naturopathicwellness.com.

Thursday, June 14th Sacred Sound Drum & Chant Circle. 7-8:35 pm. $15/$10. Lisa Burch and Deborah Ravenwood present. Experience drumming and vocal sound as a form of meditation to access deeper levels of consciousness. We’ll use vocal toning to clear the chakras and tap into your inner wisdom. The first half hour will orient to drumming, toning and the chakras for beginners. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 West Center Street, Manchester, www.spiritmattersct. com. Register: 860-783-5597. Discover Your Spirit Animals and Totems. 6:30-8:30pm. $ 20. Identify, meet and attune to your spirit animals. Learn to call upon the protective powers of your animal totem and understand the lessons taught to us from our brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom. Call Gayle @ 203 265 2927 or sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net. 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. www.return2love.net.

Friday, June 15th Meet your Angels and Guides. 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $50.00. During this workshop you will learn about your primary spiritual guides and guardian angels. Through meditation, we will meet them and receive information from them on how they would like to work with you. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. Qi Gong Intensive – Part 1 - Qigong Fundamentals & Balancing the Body’s Energy. 6:00-9:00pm. Includes Qigong fundamentals, an overview of the body’s energy system and simple stance, movement and breathing techniques to help balance your body’s energy for improved health & emotional balance. Part 1 recommended for Parts 2-4. Spirit Matters at Ravenwood, 199 W. Center St, Manchester, CT Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $45. Call 860-742-5892 by June 20 to register.

Saturday, June 16th Introduction to Numerology. 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. $70.00. The Art and Science of Numerology provides a complete personality-lifestyle profile when we apply the meanings of individual numbers to our birth names and birth dates. This workshop will explore the vibrational

energies of the numbers in your name and birth date. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, June 17th Usui-Tibetan Enhanced Reiki I. Class scheduled for June 17th. Sacred Song Reiki now scheduling June appointments. Sign up at www.sacredsongreiki.com or phone: 978-897-8846.

Monday, June 18th Astral Travel. 6:30pm-8:30pm $20Learn to safely travel the mental and ethereal realms to free yourself from the limitations of the earth’s plane and the laws of time and space. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. To register or for more information contact Gayle @203-265-2927, or www.return2love.net Samadhi Yoga Teacher Training Q&A. 6pm-7pm. FREE. Come and ask questions about our 2012 - 2013 Basic Teacher Training, Yoga Alliance Certified Program. Studio owner and trainer Anne Falkowski, yoga teacher trainer Tracey Sondik, and/or studio manager and trainer Jude Kochman, will talk about this highly successful and life changing program and to provide details for the next program beginning in September. Samadhi Yoga Studio (1st Yoga/Zumba class FREE for local residents), 283 E Center St, Manchester, CT | (860) 646-4341 | samadhiyogastudio.com.

Tuesday, June 19th Information Session at The Graduate Institute (TGI). 4pm. Learn about TGI’s cutting edge Master of Arts degree in Learning and Thinking. This degree program is designed for working professionals. 171 Amity Road in Bethany, CT. Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu/ events to register.

Friday, June 22nd Gallery Night. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Enjoy an intimate evening of learning about angels and guides and experiencing intuitive readings with medium and certified Angel Therapy Practitioner®, Priscilla Bengtson. Everyone in attendance will receive a message. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

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Calendar Meditation with Sound and Light 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $15.00 ahead $20.00 door. Come and let go of your stress with Crystal Signing Bowl Sound meditation and Chanting. Space is limited. Register at www.centerforholisticpractices.com located at the newly opened Center for Holistic Practices 963 Queen Street Southington, CT. Call for more information (860) 276-5843 Or (860) 819-8570 Audrey Bennett.

Saturday, June 23rd Reiki I. 9a.m. – 5p.m. $125.00. Attune to the universal energy in this Level I Usui Reiki class. Participants will learn traditional hand positions, how to give a full body session and receive attunements to the universal Reiki energy for self-healing and healing others. Participants receive a manual, book and certificate. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. Creating Sacred Space and holding the Council Process. 1:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m. Free. Bring a personal sacred item to place in the center sacred space. Learn to create a sacred container and Council process of sharing in a sacred circle with respect for building community. Donations appreciated. Center for Holistic Practices 963 Queen Street Southington. (860) 276-5843 or Audrey Bennett at (860) 819-8570 for more information. Medicinal Mushrooms for Chronic Disease and Immune Dysfunction w/ Anastasia White, Medical Herbalist, hailing from Berkeley, CA 9:00 A M - 5:45 PM $159.00 7.5 PDAs from NCCAOM. We will outline the historical and modern information on the uses and effects of the medicinal mushrooms. Attendees learn nine medicinal mushrooms and how they can differentiate them according to Chinese therapeutic categories. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies 912 Corbin Avenue (Exit 7 off of RTE. 72), New Britain, CT 860-TCM-2705 www.ctherbschool.com.

Sunday, June 24th The Five Spirits: The Heart of Chinese Medicine W/ Anastasia White, Medical Herbalist 9:00 - 5:45 PM Cost: 159.00 (Weekend special: $275.00 if paid by June 10th) 7.5 PDAs from NCCAOM. A look into the Chinese characters of the Spirits gives us a deeper perspective as to their meaning. Each one of the Five Spirits is a guide to observing human psychophysical occurrences that can bind psychic energy and stagnate physical energy. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies (New Address) 912 Corbin Avenue (Exit 7 off RTE 72) New Britain, CT 860TCM-2705 www.ctherbschool.com. Benefits of Yoga in Addressing PTSD for a Variety of Populations. 9 am. - 5 pm. $100. A review of the “Five Domains” of a trauma sensitive yoga class; Language, Assists, Exercises, Environment, and Teacher Qualities. Open to all Health Care Professionals CE Units can be given to RYTs. For more information contact Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 www.sacredriversyoga.com. Concentration Meditation. 6-8 p.m FREE An ancient meditation dating back thousands of years. The Buddhist tradition has preserved and transmitted it down through generations of yogis (mediators). Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Tuesday, June 26th

WEDNESDAY

Aromatherapy for Beautiful Skin, with Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND LAc. Workshop 2 of 5. Aromatherapy for Beautiful Summer Skin. Learn how to make and use Essential Aromatherapy blends for Beautiful Summer Skin! Class includes Healthy Skin Essentials talk, Individualized Skin Analysis, Take Home personal Aroma Skin Oil. Class Fee: $50 per person, pre-paid. Time: 6-8pm. Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, Ct. Call 860-657-4105 to reserve your space. www.naturopathicwellness.com.

“Walk-in Wednesdays.” 9am-11am. $10 sample Integrative Health Coaching session; Free to first four who walk-in each Wednesday. Experience a 15-minute sample health exploration with Nina, integrative health coach and registered nurse. Appointments recommended. New England Integrative Health Associates [NEIHA] 345 North Main Street, West Hartford-www.neihact.com. Contact Nina Arnold at 860-869-7137 or via email at narnold@ neihact.com.

Information Session on The Graduate Institute’s Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing. 6:00pm. Learn about a transformative M.A. program that focuses on humane, empathic, and holistic approaches to health and wellness. 171 Amity Road in Bethany, CT. Call (203) 8744252 or visit www.learn.edu/events to RSVP.

Wednesday, June 27th Information Session on The Graduate Institute’s Master of Arts in Integrative Health and Healing. 5:00pm. Learn about a transformative M.A. program that focuses on humane, empathic, and holistic approaches to health and wellness. Meets at Stamford Hospital’s Tulley Center (32 Strawberry Hill Court Stamford, CT 06902) . Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu/events to RSVP.

Saturday, June 30th Path of the Soul with Barbara Hardie. 10a.m. – 12p.m. $35.00. Participants will learn what we do on the other side to prepare for our journey to Earth, the major secret to learning life lessons more quickly and easily, and what happens when life is over and we return to the non-physical world. Participate in a Life Review Meditation. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.301.1468 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. Grand Opening! The Center for Holistic Practices. Come in for free Journey Dance, Yoga, Massage, Energy Work, Juicing Demonstration & more. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. 963 Queen Street Southington, CT (860) 276-5843 for more information or (860) 819-8570 Audrey Bennett.

Saturday, July 21st 100-Hour Hypnosis Certification Course. Thru 7/28. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Instructor: Lisa Zaccheo, BCH, BCI, MA, Mind Matters Hypnosis Center. $2,399 ($2,199 before June 15). In this highly-rated, 100 Hour Basic/Advanced Certification Course, you will learn everything you need to know in order to successfully hypnotize yourself and others. Held at Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT. Call 860-693-6448 to register; for more information visit http:// www.mindmattershypnosis.com/100course/index.html.

Ongoing Events MONDAY Tong Ren Healing Class: 7-8pm. $10/class. Instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine, studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years. He studied Tong Ren Healing with Master Tom Tam since 1994. Wu Healing Center , 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford, CT. 800-990-9332. www.wuhealing.com.Tel: 978-461-2168. (Office). 978-790-8888 (Cell).

THURSDAY 8 week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program. 6.30- 9 pm. May 3rd – June 28th . West Redding CT.$195. This experiential program has been scientifically proven to help reduce stress, promote physical health, and cultivate emotional well-being. The program includes foundational training in meditation, group discussion and practical teachings to apply mindfulness in daily life. To sign up and reserve a seat in our spring program call (917)972–7291 or visit www.mindful-spirit.com. Groaning Grads, Worried Moms ‘n Dads. Weekly support group. 7:30- 8:15 p.m. $11.00. When “coming home” is the only choice for the new grad or recently unemployed “twenty-something.” Communication strategies. Proactive planning. Trumbull; Call Allison B. Spitzer, M.A., 203.261.7615 Qi Gong with Dr. Anne Mitchell. QiGong is a healing practice similar to Tai Chi. Qi Gong qualifies as weight bearing exercise and will help osteopenia and osteoporosis. It will strengthen your core muscles and stabilize your spine. It will help you find peace and quiet within yourself. Common Benefits of Qi Gong are serenity, clarity of mind, focus, strength pain relief. Classes are Thursday at 5:30pm in our 2 Broadway, North Haven location Call to sign up and reserve a spot. 203-239-3400. $10 cash per person, Bring a friend and you each get 1/2 your first visit.

SATURDAY Ellington Farmers’ Market. 9a.m.-12p.m. May 5th-Oct. 20th. Arbor Park, Main St., Ellington. Providing a variety of products that are grown, harvested, produced or handcrafted in Connecticut. Weekly themes, entertainment and guest vendors in a lovely country setting. Weekly schedule available at ellingtonfarmersmarket.com. Tai Chi Class. 9-11am. Instrutor, Ming Wu Ph.D., a doctor of Chinese Medicine who studied Tai Chi in China and US for 40 years, he received the authentic Yang Style teaching from his Sifu Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung. He teaching Tai Chi in US for over twenty years. Tai Chi class on Monday ($60) or Saturday ($80) Wu Healing Center,45 South Main Street, Suite #100, West Hartford, CT. 800-990-9332. www.wuhealing.com. Tong Ren Healing Class: 11am - 12pm. $10. each class. Wu Healing Center , 45 South Main St., Suite 100, West Hartford, CT. 800-990-9332. www.wuhealing. com. Tel:978-461-2168,(Office)978-790-8888 (Cell).

SUNDAY Women’s Temple. schedule at www.norajamieson.com. Canton, CT 860-693-9540.

Resources ACUPUNCTURE Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

35 Nod Road, Suite 106, Menla Holistic Health, Avon, CT. • (860) 836-1068 Stan Baker is a fully licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner with offices in Avon, CT and Springfield, MA. He has been a practitioner in the Oriental healing arts for 25 years. He specializes in difficult cases including back pain/sciatica, headache/migraine, allergies, and arthritis. He is also a teacher of advanced Chen Tai Chi, Aikido and Sun Do Mt. Yoga. See ad on page 15.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center Dr.Helene Pulnik, ND LAc. 18 School St., Glastonbury,Ct 6033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

Dr. Pulnik is a licensed, board certified Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Physician with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. She specializes in acupuncture for infertility, womens' health, migraines, anxiety/stress/ insomnia, arthritis, back & neck pain, sciatica, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and more. See our ad on page 41.

Sophia Natural Health Center

ALLERGY TREATMENT Advanced Allergy Relief CT Anne Mitchell, ND (203) 239-3400 • www.aarct.com North Haven & W. Hartford Eliminate your allergic reactions using a technologically advanced treatment that corrects the body’s response to the offending food, pollen, mold, perfume, pets, etc. No medications. Non-invasive. Childfriendly. See ad on page 29.

DENTISTRY Kevin Norige, D.M.D.

112 Deming St., South Windsor, CT. (860) 644-0113 Dr. Kevin Norige has been in practice for almost 30 years in South Windsor, CT. His services include Invisalign, Perio Protect, Lumineers, Snapon Smiles and Snap-it, Global Mini Implants, and non-surgical periodontal treatments. He is a member of the ADA, CSDA, and the Hartford Dental Society. He is a clinician with the CT Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic and also serves as a facilitator to dental students at the Univ. of CT. See ad on page 33.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND is a certified Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Practitioner. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a clinically proven treatment that is highly effective in relieving the many symptoms associated with allergies, food sensitivities, environmental sensitivies, IBS, headaches, skin problems and more. The AAT treatment does not rely on the use of medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless and available to all ages including infants. See ad on page 41.

Dr. Roman Fedorciw Dr. Mehran Massoumi

80 Shunpike Road, Cromwell, CT• 860-635-4666 www.smiledrs.com Our office respects the inseparable relationship between doctor and patient while providing the best that dentistry has to offer in a relaxed environment of professionalism, skill and ability. Every patient’s well-being and oral health are at the heart of our team’s commitment to you and your family. See ad on page 25.

CHIROPRACTIC Chiropractic Health Ctr. of Glastonbury

2934 Main St.,Glastonbury, CT 860-657-8800 www.glastonburychiro.com Dr. Patrick DeFranceso, founder, is a board certified chiropractor with more than 20 years experience assisting patients. To deliver the highest standard of care Dr. DeFrancesco utilizes the state-of-the-art digital x-ray, the latest chiropractic tables and equipment. The office also offers therapeutic massage, nutrition counseling and monthly workshops. The team at the office creates a comfortable and fun loving environment where individuals and families can reach and maintain optimal health and wellness with safe, natural and effective chiropractic care. Feeling good has never been so simple!

Westside Chiropractic

557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833 • westsidechiropractors.com Our mission is to provide chiropractic care, naturally based generalist, primary or specialty health care, for persons of all ages. We are committed to educating our patients about their health and wellness and providing them with tools for self improvement. We seek to work in partnership with you to achieve good health and well being in a way consistent with your way of life. Visit our location in West Hartford See ad on page 45.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

Constance Jones is New England’s senior Colon Hydrotherapist. During her 30 years of practice, she has performed nearly 50,000 colonics. Connie is certified through both the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapists (I-ACT) and The National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy. She creates a nurturing, serene, and safe environment, and maintains your utmost privacy and comfort. www.cleanmycolon.com. See our ad on page 41.

Mind Matters Hypnosis Center Lisa Zaccheo, MA, BCH, BCI Board Certified Hypnotist & Instructor 50 Albany Tpk. Canton, CT www.mindmattershypnosis.com (860) 693-6448

You’ve heard people say that we only use 10% of our mental capacity. Imagine what you could do with access to the other 90%!!! Lisa has helped thousands of people, just like you, safely and easily tap into the other 90% of the mental power that’s located in the subconscious mind using hypnosis and other advanced tools. Start making a list of what you’d like to change, then pick up the phone and get started.

HYPNOTHERAPY/NLP Nishanto Kane...MindDesigning

Hypnosis, Master NLP Practitioner, Aura/Chakra Analysis, Enneagram Profile, Astrology Chart Interpretation, Belief Change Sessions. Simsbury, Ct. (860 658-9678) www.minddesigning.net All that is, was first created in the mind.

Kenneth Hoffman, L.Ac., CCH 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804. (203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com Combining Chinese Medicine with modern science, we restore health by identifying imbalances that cause illness. Acupuncture, Allergy Elimination, Chronic Pain Relief, Hormone Balancing, Thermography, Detoxification. See ad on page 17.

HYPNOSIS

HEALTH FOOD STORES Parkade Health Shoppe

Manchester Parkade, 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT • 860.646.8178 M-Sat 8am-9pm • Sun 9am-6pm The Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe is an information and service-oriented health food store that has served its community since 1956. Owner, Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist, is available for consultation by appointment. Our other staff nutrition consultants provide customers with in-store guidance in choosing vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition products, natural body care, natural and allergenfree foods, and life style changes. Many of our products are discounted every day. Ask us about our gym and other special discounts.

Nishanto Kane is a certified Eriksonian Hypnotist, Master NLP practitioner, Reconnection practitioner, Aura/Chakra Analyst. She has over 25 years experience in assisting many to stop smoking, release self-sabotaging habits, develop beliefs to attract abundance and well being, eliminate per allergies, anxieties, phobias, weight gain, stress, alcohol abuse, insomnia, improve school grades and more. Offering Chakra analysis - this amazing scientific state of the art technology allows you and the practitioner to view your aura. Through interpretation you can learn to bring yourself into physical, mental and emotional balance.

Green & Sustainable Interior Design Put It Together, llc

Judie Ricciardi Heritage Center,464 Heritage Road, Suite 1B Southbury, CT 06488 • 203-263-7836 putittogetherllc@cs.com www.putittogetherllc.com M-Th 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Fri. until noon

DENTISTRY The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3-5 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860) 824-0751 livingstonedentalexcellence.com See ad on page 27.

Dr. Steven Hinchey

2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 19.

HYPNOSIS Diane Bahr-Groth, C. Hy., TFT, Dir. 1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT. (203)595-0110 • mindbodytransformation.com

Mind Body Transformation Hypnosis is a Certified Hypnotist specializing in fast and effective methods for weightloss, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc. Hypnosis, Thought Field Therapy™, Time Line Therapy™ & NLP. Call for a free consultation. See ad on page 35.

As a green, sustainable and environmentally aware interior designer and Feng Shui practioner, I am able to enhance your environment by helping you select furnishings, fabrics, carpets with fewer to no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Harmonious and balanced environments bring Peace, Good Health and Good Fortune into your home or office.

NaturalNutmeg.com

Resources LIFE COACHING PEAK Results Coaching

Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com Is the happiness you want in your life eluding you? Do you feel stressed because of the pro lems that you can’t seem to overcome? It doesn’t have to be that way. I will show you step by step exactly what to do so you can create the happiness and peace of mind you want in your life. These little known secrets will put you on the path to getting the results you want guaranteed. I am a Certified Strategic Interventionist Coach and Marriage Educator. Clients frequently come to me when nothing else seems to work, or when something must change now. Call today and learn what to do. See ad on page 20.

MASSAGE Larry Joyner

80 Shunpike Road, Suite 204 Cromwell, CT 06416 www.larryrjoynerlmt.com CT. License #6565 Massage Therapy for Body, Mind and Spirit. Blending intuitve hands with the art of massage and energy work. Relieving stress and giving totaly body relaxation. www. larryrjoynerlmt.com. See ad on page 39.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE A Life Center

2 Broadway, North Haven, CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Ste 7A, West Hartford, CT 203-239-3400 Dr. Henderson runs our weight loss program here at the Life Center and is internationally recognized for her work with diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease. The first step toward health is improving our relationship with food and choosing to properly nourish ourselves. Dr. Henderson uses all the tools of naturopathic medicine to help us reach our health goals, including achieving a healthy weight. She also uses botanical medicine, flower remedies, homeopathy, acupuncture, exercise therapy and detoxification to guide individuals to attain their health goals. See ad on pages 29.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE Debra Gibson, ND 100 Danbury Road, Suite 102, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203)431-4443

Natural family healthcare using nutrition and biochemistry; herbal, homeopathic, and energetic medicine; lifestyle transformation and detoxification, to promote well-being of body, mind, and spirit. See ad on page 42.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Ctr. 18 School Street, Glastonbury Dr. Helene Pulnik. (860) 657-4105 naturopathicwellness.com

Glastonbury Naturopathic Ctr. is a multi-disciplinary healthcare center focusing on natural alternatives for individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health. Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND, LAc. is a board-certified licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. Offering Naturopathic Medicine, Colon Hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Cleansing & Detoxification Programs, Weight Management Programs. See ad on page 41.

Kensington Naturopathic Medical Ctr.

Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 • drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com Centrally located in Connecticut, Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center provides comprehensive family healthcare. Our team of specialized health professionals is dedicated to facilitating our patients’ optimal health, and offers a wide range of services, including supplementation, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as nutrition, holistic health counseling and weight loss/life style changes. See ad on page 39.

The Wellness Institute Marvin Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT (203) 847-2788

CT Natural Health Specialists

Lauren Gouin, ND 135 Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com Dr. Lauren Gouin is a naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester. Dr. Gouin is accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies. For more information, visit www. ctnhs.com. See ad on page 5.

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

Dr. Schweitzer treats all ages with natural therapies including homeopathy, herbal medicine, enzymes, nutritional supplements and more. His advanced cutting-edge technologies evaluate underlying causes and create individualized treatment plans. ASYRA, Ondamed, BrainPaint, footbaths, acupuncture and oxygen therapies are used to achieve optimal health. Allergy desensitization, detoxification programs, immune system support, Lyme disease issues and other wellness protocols are included in his personalized care. See ad on page 23.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine 301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com

Dr. Frank Aieta, founder of West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine, is a board certified licensed Naturopathic Physician who specializes in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease utilizing the most advanced natural therapeutics. He offers a wide range of natural, non-toxic treatments which include: Acupuncture, Spinal Manipulation, Clinical Nutrition, Detoxification, Pain Management, Herbal Medicine and Natural Hormone Balancing. See ad on page 23.

PHYSICIANS, M.D. Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing 533 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT (860) 243-2224 • www.cmgmds.com/cihh.html The first of its kind in the country, Connecticut Multispecialty Group (CMG) is a large multispecialty group with its own Integrative Medicine Department. The physician-directed model uniquely blends conventional medicine with complementary therapies. Over 70 physicians work collaboratively with licensed massage therapists, licensed acupuncturists, certified energy workers, and registered dieticians. The end result is comprehensive model of healthcare delivery that focuses on whole person wellness and optimal health. CMG also features an electronic health record that interconnects all providers and offers portable flash drives with personal health information to all its clients. See ad on page 50.

Natural Health & Healing, LLC

Deanna M. Cherrone, MD 60 East Main Street, Avon, CT. (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net

NUTRITION Holcare Nutrition Vicki Kobliner MS RD 3 Hollyhock Lane, Suite 2A, Wilton, CT 06897 203-834-9949 • www.holcarenutrition.com Vicki Kobliner MS RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition. Vicki works with infants, through adults with chronic illnesses, digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD and autism and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. She is a contributing author to A Compromised Generation: The Epidemic of Chronic Illness in Americas Children. See ads on page 35.

Dr. Deanna Cherrone, founder of Natural Health & Healing, is a board certified Internal Medicine p hy s i c i a n wh o h a s changed the focus of her practice from traditional Internal Medicine to Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is a science based approach to health care that involves looking at each patient as a whole being with interconnected systems that function best when they are all in balance. See ad on back cover.

Tamara Sachs, MD

Functional Medicine & Integrative Care 15 Bennitt St., New Milford, CT (860) 354-3304 • www.tsachsmd.intranets.com See ad on page 27.

OSTEOPATHIC PHYS. Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC

David L. Johnston, DO • Lisa Preston, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-9915 • www.osteopathicwellness.net

PHYSICIANS, M.D. Advance Biomedical Treatment Center, LLC

Eileen C. Comia, M.D. 701 Cottage Grove Road Ste., C-10 Bloomfield, CT 06002 • 860.242.2200 Fax 860.242.2212 • www.AdvBioMedTx.com Dr. Eileen Comia is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist with16 yrs of experience in private practice. In 2002, she founded Avon Therapeutic Center (now Advance Biomedical Treatment Center) specializing in Integrative Medicine. She offers a unique practice using Functional Medicine in the treatment of chronic illnesses. She is a seasoned Defeat Autism Now! Practitioner of 10 years and a member of ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine). See ad on page 15.

Gentle, natural, hands-on, osteopathic medical care for infants, children and adults. Childrens’ health and development, birth trauma, musculoskeletal pain and injuries, nutrition and wellness counseling, stress reduction, immune support, allergies. Most major insurances accepted. See ad on page 27.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST Soul Support Counseling Nancy M Brockett, PhD, LPC West Hartford, CT 860.223.2232 soul-support.org

Feeling stressed, confused, anxious or depressed? Imagine yourself breaking free from worries and fear and then confidently doing what you haven't been able to before! We work together from the perspective of the whole self to get to the heart of what’s troubling you. Using painless, drug-free treatments, Dr Brockett helps you uncover and build on your own inner strengths so you can free yourself from negativity and live with more joy in your life. See ad on page 6.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST Inner Change Holistic Counseling

Deni Weber, MA, LPC, DCEP Weston, CT. • 203-544-6094 • DeniWeber.com With compassion, intuition and wisdom Deni guides individuals on their journey of regaining lost power leading to renewed purpose, wellbeing, and emotional balance. Specializing in mind-body therapies with clinical certifications in Body-Oriented Psychotherapy and Energy Psychology she works with adults, teens and children healing traumatic stress related to Abuse, AD/HD, Learning Disabilities, Chronic Illness, Lyme Disease, and Autistic Spectrum.

Qi Gong Wu Healing Center

45 South Main Street, Suite 100, West Hartford, CT Tel: 978-790-8888 www.wuhealing.com Ming Wu, Ph.D., Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Qi Gong Master. Qi Gong Certified Associate Instructor Training Program.

SCHOOLS Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies

LauraMignosa, NCCH 900 Wells Road (RT. 175) Wethersfield, (860)666-5064 www.ctherbschool.com. Founded in 1992, the CT Institute of Herbal Studies focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine and offers a Certified Herbology Program with a foundation in both theory and clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today. See ad on page 29.

The Graduate Institute

Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions, Recruitment. (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu. The Graduate Institute is an accredited institution of higher education that offers Master of Arts degrees in emerging fields of inquiry. Degree programs include: Experiential Health and Healing, Peace Studies, Oral Traditions, Holistic Thinking, and Conscious Evolution. Classes meet one weekend per month and programs are offered in Hartford, Bethany, New Milford, and Stamford, CT. For more information or to find an Information Session near you, call (203) 8744252 or visit www.learn.edu. See ad on page 32.

SKINCARE RELATIONSHIP COACH PEAK Results Coaching

Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME • Relationship Coach 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com Do you want a more fulfilling marriage but don’t know what to do? Are you feeling stuck in an unhappy relationship that seems doomed to fail? You can change all that starting now. I will show you step by step exactly what to do to create the love and connection you want in your relationship. You will learn exactly what to do to rebuild trust, and re-ignite the passion. Imagine the feeling of being in love all over again. I am a Certified Marriage Educator, and clients frequently come to me. When nothing else seems to work or when something must change now. If you want to know what works, call today. See ad on page 20.

RETREAT CENTERS Still Waters Pond, LLC

280 Shetucket Turnpike, Voluntown, CT 06384 860-543-3244 • stillwaterspond.com Still Waters is an emerging retreat center for groups of 10 to 20. Nestled among 100 acres of pine forest and situated on a private, 10acre pond, we provide comfortable and artfully rustic lodging: two cottages, a five-bedroom guest house and Art & Yoga Studio. Hosting one group at a time. Meal options and private tours available. See ad on Page 45.

Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center

Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon. (860)284-9730, www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net We are committed to strengthening your overall well-being and skin health through the use of excellent quality products and extraordinary services that produce amazing results. Only natural ingredients are used, including plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils! We want you to be "WOWED"! See ad on page 13.

SOCIAL WORK Michael Westfall, LCSW

243 East Center Street Manchester, CT 06040 • (860) 212-8923. Michael Westfall is a licensed clinical social worker with a practice in Manchester, CT. He has extensive experience with children and teens but works with many adults and couples as well. In network with most state and commercial insurances, he is accepting new clients at this time. Please visit the website: michaelwestfall.com or call him at (860) 212-8923. See ad on page 45.

TAI CHI Wu Healing Center

45 South Main Street, Suite 100, West Hartford, CT 800-990-9332 978-790-8888 (Cell) www.wuhealing.com Ming Wu, Ph.D., Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Herbalist, Tui Na Therapy, Tai Chi Master. Wu Way Tai Chi Certified Associate Instructor Training Program.

THERMOGRAPHY

VETERINARY CARE

Sophia Natural Health Center

Mobile Pet Vet

31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804. (203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com

Kim Rio, DVM (203)584-1210 • www.mobile-pet-vet.com

As the hormone experts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field. Thermogram results include a free 15-minute phone consultation. See ad on page 17.

Mobile Pet Vet is a veterinary housecall practice providing wellness care for dogs and cats. By treating pets at home we reduce their stress and their exposure to infection. Pets with chronic health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease and other endocrine disorders often benefit from home-based care. We spend time developing an individualized treatment plan for each animal and we offer a full range of laboratory services. Our flexible scheduling accommodates busy pet owners. See ad on page 19.

X to Rays, LLC

Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 866.986.7297 or 203 331-2878 www.xtorays.com Suzanne is a board certified clinical thermographer. She offers totally safe (no radiation), painless (no compression), 97% accurate FDA approved breast cancer screening. With a masters in Nutrition, Suzanne also advises on breast and body health. Scans for thyroid, lung, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and ovaries are also available. Call for locations throughout CT.

VIBRATIONAL/ ENERGY HEALING Lightworker of Vibrational Energy LLC, L.O.V.E. Gayle Franceschetti Med,CHt. 36 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford,CT 203-265-2927 • www.return2love.net

Gayle Franceschetti is the founder of the L.O.V.E. Institute and is an acclaimed intuitive counselor and healer, Reiki Master, certified Hypnotherapist and past life regressionist. As an open channel for Divine Energy, Gayle integrates the power of universal love, compassion and understanding in all her workshops and healing sessions. Gayle conducts healing and mentoring sessions in person, by phone and hosts a variety of workshops and power journeys throughout the U.S. and around the world. See ad on page 17.

The Healing in Harmony Center Priscilla Bengtson, ATP® 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)632-8434 www.healinginharmonycenter.com

The Healing in Harmony Center, a spiritual healing, counseling and education center, offers programs and services that help individuals acknowledge and develop their own gifts to the highest level. Owner Priscilla Bengtson is dedicated to helping people live a joyous and fulfilled life and offers classes and workshops that help people achieve this. Private sessions are offered for intuitive, trance channel and angel readings, medical intuitive readings, trance healing, hypnosis, reiki, mandala healing, and health coaching. A free healing service is offered once monthly. See ad on page 41.

WEIGHT LOSS A Life Center

2 Broadway, North Haven CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Suite 7A, W. Hartford CT 203-710-6605 • alifecenter@yahoo.com Are you frustrated because you want to lose weight but cannot figure out how? Do you exercise but it doesn’t seem to help? Are you sabotaging yourself by overeating or emotional eating even though you have the best of intentions? Get off the dieting merry-go-round and FINALLY achieve your ideal weight? The Life Diet matches your nutrition to your metabolism. Most Insurances accepted. We offer a medically supervised weight loss program with whole foods, individualized nutrition, meal planning, and weight loss coaching. See ad on page 29.

YOGA / PILATES CENTERS Sacred Rivers Yoga

Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT, Owner / Director 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com. See ad on page 40.

Sacred Movement Yoga

10 Sims Road (Bishop’s Corner, next to iParty) West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 860.990.2555. www.mysacredmovement.com. Offering anusara, power, vinyasa, gentle, chi, beginner, prenatal, kids and meditation classes visit our Facebook page!

NaturalNutmeg.com

Natural Nutmeg June 2012

NaturalNutmeg.com

A Guided ApproAch to optimAl heAlth

Natural

Health & Healing

llc

AreAs of focus

Anti-Aging (Optimal Aging) • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Detoxification Food Sensitivities • Heavy Metal Testing & Oral Chelation • Menopause & Andropause Mind Body Medicine • Weight Loss • Neurotransmitter Testing • Quantum Biofeedback Thyroid, Adrenal Testing & Treatment • Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Do you believe you should feel better than you do? Many of my patients are simply looking for a doctor who will listen and explore the root cause of their symptoms which commonly include: Fatigue • Brain Fog • Sugar Cravings • Headaches • Depression Stress & Anxiety • Decreased Libido • Aches & Pains • Decreased Stamina Constipation • Allergies • Inability to Lose Weight • Insomnia

“I blend the best of traditional and alternative therapies to help your body function at its best.”

Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. (860) 677- 4600 60 East Main Street, Avon CT. 06001 www.naturalhealthandhealing.net 52

Natural Nutmeg June 2012