Natural Nutmeg December 2013 by Natural Nutmeg Magazine/Essential Naples Magazine

December 2013

Connecticut's Resource For Essential Living

Natural Nutmeg BURNOUT: A Blessing in Disguise? Debra Gibson, ND

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A Naturopathic Approach Yvette Whitton, ND

your body’s

Language

Bernie Siegel, MD

Keeping an EYE on Healthy Vision Penelope McDonnell, ND

Are Your Vitamins Lying to You? Neal Smoller, Jr, PharmD and Josh Boughton www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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Nurture. Balance. Decompress. Give the gift of health, healing and community. At WHY, we offer many ways to enrich your life—yoga, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, and nutritional consults. WHY is a warm, welcoming oasis to balance mind, body, and spirit. Discover your inner yogi or honor your loved ones with a holiday gift card from WHY. Celebrate the joy of good health. Purchase gift cards in our studio or online at westhartfordyoga.com. The gift of WHY... all you need to do is breathe!

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Featured Content Burnout: A Blessing in Disguise? Debra Gibson, ND 10

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 a healthy lifestyle.

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Naturopathic Approach Yvette Whitton, ND 18

Keeping an Eye on Healthy Vision

Penelope McDonnell, ND 20

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com

Are Your Vitamins Lying to You? Neal Smoller, Jr, PharmD and Josh Boughton 28

Departments The BUZZ 6

BERNIE 8

PUBLISHERS Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com

ADVISORY BOARD Ann Aresco, N.D. Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. Debra Gibson, ND Lauren Gouin, ND Kenneth Hoffman, LAc, CCH David Johnston, DO Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N Donald Piccoli, DC Paul Tortland, DO

SHAPE 14 NUTMEG NUGGETS 26

DISTRIBUTION Greater Hartford and surrounding counties, please contact Natural Nutmeg. FFC - Tom Cossuto, Man In Motion, LLC

SELF 33 REMEDIES 35 NOURISH 36 DISH 38 HAPPENINGS 39 RESOURCES 41 4

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

Natural Nutmeg Magazine

P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860)206-9500 • Fax (860)263-8505 In keeping with our concern for the environment, Natural Nutmeg is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy based inks. 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. © 2007-13 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 ar ticles and adver tisements, nor are we responsible for the products and ser vices adver tised. We welcome your feedback.

PUBLISHER'SLETTER

s we near the end of another year, it’s a great time to evaluate all of your successes and all of your failures that you had this year. Yes… I said evaluate your failures. Why would we ever want to focus on what we failed at or didn’t achieve? For many, this is a really painful thing to do and something that’s typically avoided. Why? Because most of us, maybe all of us, are afraid to fail. The hard part is realizing that if we are failing at something, it means we are making an attempt to succeed. If you are afraid to fail, you will also be afraid to make those attempts and that will surely never lead to success. Failure provides information and motivation for you to learn from and apply. It is a sign that points toward progress; however, depending on your perception, it moves you closer to or further from your goals. If you look at failure with a positive outlook and desire to learn, then you will move closer to your goals. If you look at it with a negative outlook you may never see the bigger picture and you may give up before you get the chance to experience great success. Few people choose to study their own failures except to complain about the results and to formulate what they believe to be solutions to fix what’s not working. Unfortunately, most individuals concentrate on the negative side of failure and ignore its positive contributions. People do not understand the benefits of failure and that success is a result of a constant stream of small and sometimes large failures. It means you are stepping outside of your comfort zone, you are attempting something that might be more than you can handle, but the point is that you are trying; instead of sitting on the sidelines watching life go by because you are too scared to fail. Failure is essential to success. Unless failure is understood and respected as an integral part of success, it will remain widely perceived as unnecessary, painful and something to be avoided at all costs. A healthy response to failure is impossible as long as you see failure only in negative terms. You must expect to fall down occasionally as you pursue your goal, but each time you get up you get better and you learn from the experience. You will gain knowledge, wisdom, and maturity every time. You must remember each and every day that anything worthwhile is worth pursuing, worth fighting for and worth risking failure. In health and happiness,

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THE BUZZ Toys for Tots Drop Off at The Coffee Trade of Avon

o you have a new, unwrapped toy that you can donate to brighten the holidays for a child or teen in need? If so, you can drop off the toys at The Coffee Trade, located at 21 W. Main St. in Avon. The Coffee Trade is accepting donations until December 16th. This is a wonderful way to give back during the holidays and while you’re there, why not enjoy their amazing, fresh-roasted coffee, exotic teas and gourmet baked goods! The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. Please remember that there are many older children (ages 10-13) in need as well when thinking of gifts to donate. The Coffee Trade is located at 21 W. Main St. in Avon. To locate other Toys for Tots drop off locations in Connecticut, visit http://www.plainville-ct.toysfortots.org. See ad on page 23.

Modern New Age Shop ‘Sixth Scents’ Opens in Avon, CT

A “

waken all your senses” is the motto of Sixth Scents, a new retail store that has opened in Avon, CT. This unique store offers a wide range of products to purchase that touch on one of the five senses including: organic teas to taste, handmade designer candles and soaps to smell, inspirational and international music to hear, silk and wool scarves, crystals and jewelry to feel and a stunning artistic store design and décor to see. To capture the sixth sense they offer intuitive, astrological and tarot card readings throughout each month. Readings can be scheduled by calling 860-674-8600. Walk-ins are also available during designated times. This mood enhancing, creative shoppe is located at 51 East Main St. in Avon (3 doors over from Bruegger Bagels). For more information contact Nancy Brown at 860-463-3919 or emal nancy@sixthscents.com. See ad on page 15.

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Holiday Hoopla at Hill-Stead Museum Enjoy Hill-Stead’s Holiday Boutique and Meet the Museum’s Founding Family

isitors to Hill-Stead Museum this December will journey back in time to the holiday season of 1921, when Theodate Pope, HillStead’s architect and founder, and her husband John Riddle were planning their trip to Argentina, John’s new diplomatic posting. On December 8, from 12 – 4 pm, the museum will welcome visitors in the style of the Popes as interpreters in period garb portray members of the family, their household staff and guests. History buffs and holiday enthusiasts will revel in an era and place of gracious living as they leisurely tour Hill-Stead’s festooned parlor, libraries, dining room and bedrooms. “One of the highlights of this event,” commented Director of Interpretations and Programs, Melanie Bourbeau, “is that guests hear true stories, straight from the mouths of famous and not-sofamous characters. It is a real insider’s perspective on life in the Pope household.” The program is free to members or with museum admission. For those with the holiday shopping bug, Hill-Stead presents its popular Holiday Boutique in the Makeshift Theater. On December 7th & 8th, 10am – 4pm, visitors will enjoy browsing over 25 artists and crafters displaying unique gifts for any occasion. Homemade treats will tempt even the most intent shopper to take a refreshment break. Admission to the boutique is free. For more information, call 860.677.4787 or visit www.hillstead.org.

Mother-Baby Gift Drive at New England Naturopathic Center

he New England Naturopathic Center will be sponsoring a mother-baby gift drive with all proceeds donated to the Hope Pregnancy Center in Cheshire. From December 1st-23rd, please bring a new maternity or infant care item for pregnant women in need this holiday season. Gift drop off at New England Naturopathic Center, 288 Highland Avenue, Cheshire until December 23rd. Call 203-271-1311 for more information.

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xplore your true self this New Year! Sleep, eat, move, relax and journal your way back to your true, healthy self using high tech solutions and age old wisdom. For more information call the New England Naturopathic Center, 203-271-1311.

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BERNIE

By Bernie Siegel, MD

your body’s

Language

our body can guide you to the life you were truly meant to live, which the majority of the world is not living. Monday mornings we have more suicides, strokes, illnesses and heart attacks. I think our bodies are trying very hard to tell us something about how our lives, jobs, relationships and attitudes affect our bodies and our health. Centuries ago in the Gospel of St. Thomas, Jesus shared these words: If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you. If we do not pay attention to our feelings and the messages from our body then our body will assume we do not enjoy life and get us out of here as quickly as possible. His words present us with further insight: He who seeks to save his life will lose it but he who is willing to lose his life will save it. The message is: stop living your untrue self’s life, which others imposed upon you, and eliminate not yourself but what is killing you. Thus, by paying attention to the messages from within your body, you can save your life. Yes, you can be born again and restore your body to its healthiest state while letting it guide you to healing your life. A healed life carries many benefits, one of which can be a cured disease. Just as bacteria, viruses and plants alter their genetic make up to resist antibiotics, vaccines and weather changes we are capable of inner healing too. It is a lot harder for us because our lives are more complicated, but if we listen to the messages from our intelligent cells and create an internal environment that nurtures life, then self induced healing can become a more frequent occurrence. But first you must be willing to pay attention to your body and feelings and not live solely in your head and thoughts. Distractions and drugs are not necessarily the proper response to your feelings. As a lawyer said in a time of crisis, “I came to a conclusion that was imminently reasonable, totally logical and completely wrong because while learning to think I almost forgot how to feel.”’

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Natural Nutmeg December 2013

The reason most people have a hard time paying attention to their feelings is because their feelings are painful. The majority of people grow up with mottoes to die by rather than mottoes to live by. They need to abandon their painful pasts and get over the destructive messages received from various authority figures such as parents, teachers, clergy, doctors and others. The effect of words upon children, up to the age of six, is hypnotic and very difficult for them to overcome when they grow older. Often the search for better feelings leads to a variety of addictions and violent behavior due to damaged nervous systems. The language of your body doesn’t have to remain a secret. We would like you to learn from your body how to survive and be strong enough to stand up to the forces of nature while still supple enough to bend when the circumstances require it. By bringing meaning to your symptoms you can be guided to heal. Pain is necessary for us to protect and define ourselves. If we never experienced pain it would be a disaster for our lives and bodies. But when we give the pain or affliction meaning we do not have to suffer. Pain and suffering are two distinct entities. Consciousness is non-local and we need to tune into the messages we are receiving. Since organ recipients can tell you about the lives of their donors we must realize our life is stored within us. Several years ago I developed vertigo while training for a marathon and doing all the other things I normally do. I asked myself how I would describe this feeling to others and the words I heard were, “The world is spinning around”. I knew my body was telling me to slow down and rest. My body was making it hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. You can talk to your body and learn from it. If you are willing to rehearse and practice you can become the person you want to be. We know that your blood chemistry is changed by the role you play. Even actors experience changes in their immune function and cortisol levels when performing in a play. A tragic play can lead to illness while acting in a comedy can help an actor resist disease. Remember we are talking about healing your life. Healing and curing are separate entities but a healed life resists many illnesses and is more likely to lead to a cured body. Don’t let your beliefs get in the way. Let your experience be what guides you. I have learned from my body and the work of healers that amazing things can be accomplished that were never taught to me or discussed in medical school. If you live the way we are discussing, you are no longer a submissive, long-suffering patient but a responsible participant. So develop your multiple personalities and let the child within come forth. Experience love and humor and feel what it does for your body. My wife Bobbie did stand up comedy at our presentations and what impressed me was how much healthier everyone’s bodies looked after fifteen minutes of laughter. And she received more thanks when we were done than I did. So learn from your body and your problem and let the charcoal under pressure become a diamond that frees you from the darkness and disability. I must mention because of how so many of us are brought up that this is not about guilt, shame and blame. This is not

Judi about what you did wrong but about what you can do right by participating in your life and communicating with the wisdom within you. Yes, I have been injured and developed health problems, which were not about emotional issues but things like accidents and tick bites. However, by listening to my body I can help myself heal more rapidly, avoid chronic problems and not need a disease to get my needs met. So stop worrying about doing it right or failing because of messages from your past. Participate in your life and play as well as you can. The body is our gift. It demonstrates what our lives are about just as a TV screen shows you the content of the program being viewed. I work with patients’ dreams and drawings and know that the body can communicate in symbols too. I use them to help make diagnoses so that patients can see their inner wisdom displayed and help them make therapeutic choices. The colors used in their drawings also carry meaning and express emotions. Art therapists and Jungian therapists are aware of this, though it is not mentioned in medical school. It is no accident that Solzhenitsyn, in his book Cancer Ward, describes self induced healing as “a rainbow colored but-

terfly.” There you have the symbol of transformation and all the emotions associated with it in one symbol. So do not be afraid to step forward and listen to your body. This is not about doing it right or wrong, being good or bad, but about being open to the universal language of the unconscious as spoken through our bodies. Let your body help guide you to the right choices and treatment and ultimately the self healing of your life too. Bernie runs a Woodbridge Cancer Support group on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month and a Mind, Body, Health Support Group on the first Tuesday evening of every month at Coachman’s Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com or email Bernie at bugsyssiegel@sbcglobal.net. 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. Wisdom of the Ages is owned by Bernie's son & daughter- in-law, Keith & Jane Siegel. Located at 1414 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Please call for info or to register for Bernie's group. (860) 651-1172, www.wisdomoftheages.biz. See ad on page 24.

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Burnout: A Blessing in Disguise? By Debra Gibson, ND

he holiday season is upon us, and for many it’s a celebratory marathon of organization, preparation, execution, and exhaustion; a somewhat crazed annual rite of passage from one year to the next. Stress, sleep deprivation, and overextension of energy, time commitments, and finances also can be part of the festivities. It’s a good time to consider the concept of burnout, a depleted state of mind, body, and spirit in which the fatigue doesn’t go away when the tree comes down and the giftwrap is put away. Burnout brings with it deep emotional and physical exhaustion, a sense of going through the motions to get through the day, and the sense that our best efforts are just not enough. When we are burned out our ideals seem empty, our enthusiasm for work sours and we may show a cynical or uncaring attitude toward those we work with or whose needs we serve. “When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision has gone no part of the world can find you.” ~ From the poem Sweet Darkness, by David Whyte

Are You Vulnerable? Those most vulnerable to burnout are often the most conscientious: the high achievers and perfectionists, those who never give less than 100%. They may start out as the most idealistic, deeply caring and committed among us, though increasingly, in a culture that values achievement in the form of externalized power and financial success, it isn’t only the altruists who are burning out. From Wall Street to the entertainment industry, from healthcare providers to prison staffers, in lawyers, therapists and first responders, burnout seems to be pandemic. Burnout also is common in caregivers for ill family members and in many an overburdened parent, particularly during the sandwich years of caring for both children and parents. Although it’s not a diagnosable condition like depression or anxiety, burnout as a syndrome has been studied since the 1970s. It’s viewed in much of the literature as the outcome of poor coping strategies for stress, both in individuals and in organizations. Personality characteristics associated with people who are vulnerable to burnout include approval-seeking (overreliance on the positive opinion of others for our self-esteem), perfectionism (which creates stress because the pursuit of perfection is doomed to failure, 10

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

and gets in the way of asking for help or delegating—after all, no one else can do something quite as well as we can), impatience and free-floating hostility (two primary traits of the Type A personality), and tendencies toward pessimism and anxiousness. People who burn out may be unconsciously attracted to a line of work that enables them to work on unresolved psychological issues from early life; this dynamic may lead them to choose work they don’t believe in, over time become disillusioned with, or are innately not suited for.

Burnout and Work If there’s a mismatch between our values and those of the organization we work for, we’re more likely to find our work stressful and eventually burn out. Work environments that foster worker burnout tend to be highly stressful and short on support: they provide unclear job descriptions; vague and/or unreasonable expectations for workers; offer a low level of control in jobs; poor compensation, either financial or in the form of simple recognition for work well done; lack of recovery time for periods of high stress; low tolerance or serious consequences for mistakes; and poor lines of communication between individuals and within the culture as a whole. “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” ~ Lewis Carroll The psychologist and mind-body expert Joan Borysenko, Ph.D, in her excellent book “Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Revive,” describes twelve stages of burnout: Stage 1: Driven by an Ideal Stage 2: Working Like a Maniac Stage 3: Putting Your Own Needs Last Stage 4: Miserable, and Clueless as to Why Stage 5: The Death of Values Stage 6: Frustrated, Aggressive, and Cynical Stage 7: Emotionally Exhausted and Disengaged Stage 8: “I’ve Morphed into What?” (Significant changes in behavior) Stage 9: “Get Away from Me!” (Withdrawal and isolation) Stage 10: Inner Emptiness Stage 11: Who Cares and Why Bother? Stage 12: Physical and Mental Collapse Caution: Burnout Ahead

When we are approaching burnout, we grimly work longer hours with greater effort and less result. We often withdraw from the pleasures of social interaction, spending less time with family and friends. We tend to give short shrift to ‘timewasters’ such as sleep, exercise, vacation, and relaxation; nor do we have time to feed or care for ourselves well. And we dismiss the worries of loved ones and concerned observers (like therapists, physicians, and people with more balanced lifestyles) about our driven lives. These behaviors are some of the danger signs that burnout is up ahead, and whether it takes months, years, or decades, they can lead us, sometimes gradually and sometimes as abruptly as taking an off-ramp from a high-speed freeway, to a dead stop at burnout. Burnout takes over at Borysenko’s Stage 12: “When you’re stressed out, you keep chasing the same old carrot, whatever that may be for you. But when you’re burned out, you eventually give up the chase. The hope that you can create a meaningful life fizzles and you find yourself sitting in the ashes of your dreams.” “In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a dark wood where the true way was wholly lost.” ~ Commedia (The Divine Comedy), Dante Alighieri A first step toward healing is to admit that you too have awakened in a dark wood, and to let go of the compulsion to trudge on, not waking up to your pain, never acknowledging the loss of your own true way. The first step to finding your inner compass is to sit down (better yet, lie down!) in the road of life and let yourself be lost for awhile.

Beware of Superficial Fixes Burning out is painful, so it’s understandable that what most people want who are in that exhausted and empty place, is to try to go back the way they’ve come—to regain the energy, engagement and drive they formerly brought to their work and lives as a whole. They may think of themselves as depressed, or may see a healthcare provider who diagnoses them with depression and medicates them; and while yes, burnout may be accompanied by depression, an antidepressant alone is not the solution. From the perspective of naturopathic medicine, burnout (with or without depression) often is associated with adrenal insufficiency (stress hormone imbalance) and neurotransmitter (brain biochemical) imbalances, with nutritional depletion and metabolic disruption. As a naturopathic physician, it’s easy to move into agreement with patients that burnout is a problem to be ‘fixed’, so they can get back to doing what they’ve always done, pretty much as they’ve always done it. And whether the ‘fix’ is a pharmaceutical antidepressant or a naturopathic plan for supplement and dietary support, it is indeed possible to assist many people to get back in gear—to crank up the ol’ engine, get back on the supersonic freeway and accelerate into the fast lane once again. But, like most superficial fixes, this doesn’t solve the underlying problems and can only hold for so long. It can be dismaying for these folks to hear that if they go back to zooming through their lives as they’ve done in the past, they may well find themselves sooner or later, back in burnout. “The antidote to exhaustion is whole heartedness.” ~ Benedictine Brother David Steindl-Rast, as quoted by David Whyte What’s necessary to truly and fully recover from burnout is a deeper, more holistic healing journey. There’s much to be said for promoting practices to improve stress tolerance, heal overworked

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adrenal glands, and transform sick work cultures, but unless we go deeper, examining more closely the mix of personality, behavior, choice, and metaphysical disconnection that brought us to burnout, we may cure the symptoms without healing the disease. Like any existential crisis, burnout is undoubtedly an extremely uncomfortable state of being, but it also can be a positive life-changer—a turning point for transformation, for finding our own true way—if we allow it to be. “What if…we see (burnout and depression) as losses of naïveté, false identities and false assumptions that are making way for a more authentic life? What if we viewed burnout as an invitation to come into alignment with a more elegant expression of our gifts, relationships and overall life energy?” ~ Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., In “Fried...” There is so much support available to us if we accept this invitation and begin the journey from darkness and depletion to light and aliveness: books, poems, blogs, therapists, workshops, CDs, videos, downloadable MP3 programs, and retreat centers.

Drink from Wells of Wisdom Writers, poets, and spiritual traditions through time have told us that times of darkness, difficulty and disillusionment are and have always been a part of every life, and point to the potential hidden within these challenging times for initiation into richer self-knowledge and more authentic selfexpression. The poet David Whyte, through his poetry, books, workshops, and recorded talks; the mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero’s Journey and in recorded talks and interviews; the writer Thomas Moore in his book Care of the Soul and other books and writings: each draws on the wisdom of the past to illustrate and illuminate his own message and is inspiring, excellent company for the journey inward. And online, at conferences and in talks and videos, Ariana Huffington has been expanding on her “Third Metric” concept of “redefining success beyond money and (external) power.”

Take Time/Make Time for Play Many of the behaviors that predispose to burnout are tied to an overexpressed tolerance for delayed gratification—so getting off the merry-go-round of life’s never-ending tasks is essential to creating space for finding perspective. Regularly scheduling pleasurable activities with family and friends; 12

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

making yourself take time for a daily walk in nature, for yoga or meditation; taking a weekend away for rest and recovery; these simple steps will begin to bring balance and ‘beingness’ to a life skewed toward ‘doing’.

Go Deep Think seriously about connecting with a therapist skilled in working with burnout; attend a workshop at a retreat center (Wisdom House, Kripalu and the Omega Institute are wonderful nearby transformational retreat centers); or commit to a program of instruction in mindfulness techniques. If the idea of taking so much time for yourself is scary, do some reading on the subject: “The Art of Extreme Self-Care,” by experienced life coach Cheryl Richardson is a wise and to-the-point assist.

Give Work a Demotion Changing the dominance of work in the hierarchy of your life can allow for some relaxation of the tension you feel toward it. A physician interviewed about his experience with burnout noted that he had always thought that he loved his work, but when he burned out and took some time off from it, he realized that he liked his work, but no longer loved it. With this simple shift of perspective he gave himself permission to relate differently to his role when he returned to his practice (on a reduced schedule), and he began to open up to other interests. If the time/ energy/ focus devoted to your work were a room in your house, how big would it be? A practical and creative tool for evaluating and ‘resizing’ the ‘rooms’ of our lives is “The Not So Big Life,” by Sarah Susanka, a book/ workbook that directs us to “make room for what really matters.”

Consider a Change Sometimes the issue at the heart of burnout is a profound lack of alignment with our work (or work culture), or some other core element of our lives (such as a relationship, our social circle or spiritual tradition). From this perspective, burnout is a cry for help, for change, from our authentic self to a false identity in danger of sleepwalking through the brief and precious span of life. It takes courage and faith in the existence of Dante’s “true way” to make a course correction and take a different road than the one we set out on, but this may be precisely what is necessary. The concluding lines of David Whyte’s Sweet Darkness express this so beautifully: You must learn one thing. The world was made to be free in. Give up all the other worlds except the one to which you belong. Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you. Debra Gibson, N.D. practices naturopathic family medicine in her Ridgefield, CT office. She can be reached at 203-431-4443 or at drgibsonsoffice@sbcglobal.net. Her blog is www.debragibsonnd.com. See ad on page 7.

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Heal Your Body with Therapeutic Yoga

hat is therapeutic yoga? It’s a combination of restorative yoga poses (poses where the body is supported with yoga props), gentle stretching, breath work, sound therapy and aromatherapy. It’s designed to heal and restore the body and mind. It’s said that the breath is the bridge that connects the body and mind. By allowing the breath to flow freely, we allow the life force to flow throughout the body, removing stuck energy, emotions or blocks buried within the cells, creating a space for healing. Anyone can practice yoga; it’s not a religion, you don’t need to be flexible, and you don’t have to stand on your head or wear a certain kind of pants to practice.

Accepting Our Feelings When someone is battling illness or dealing with an injury, they usually feel fear. Stress is fear manifested in the body. We all feel fear at times in our lives, but it seems that when we feel weak or overwhelmed, fear is more present. Yoga teaches us to confront those fears, rather than hide from them or stuff them down. We use stillness and our breath to gain insight about our feelings and experience them fully, without trying to change or run from them. With regular practice, we are able to recognize the potential of our bodies—however physically limited—to heal us and make us stronger. We also learn to have patience with our practice and ultimately with ourselves. When we begin to accept what we are feeling, whether it is fear or any other intense emotion, we view emotions as a natural part of our being and can embrace our true feelings moment by moment. We realize that there is a reason for what we feel; there is a higher intelligence at work guiding us through life. It takes energy to avoid feeling emotion and there is a direct connection to feeling exhausted from this emotional suppression. When we release into feeling our emotions, tremendous energy is freed within, which the body can then channel into healing on a deep cellular level. When we allow the fullness of our true feelings to emerge and be felt, we move into greater balance in many aspects of our lives. When we come into stillness, we hear the guidance of our inner voice and begin to restore. In the practice of therapeutic yoga, the student has time and space to relax into the postures, while listening to the wisdom which guides healing from within. The postures themselves help the body to release accumulated tension by deeply stretching the muscles and connective tissue. The process of deep 14

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breathing guides the student into a profound, relaxed, and stress-free state. As the body is cared for, new energy flows, which offers the body tremendous vitality for healing. Let’s talk for a moment about the stress response. When we feel stress there is a release of stress hormones that: • Constrict blood vessels • Increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, bronchiole dilation, muscle tension, metabolic rate, and blood clotting • Decrease digestive activity and insulin secretion • Decrease blood flow to active muscles and brain • Narrow blood vessels (vasoconstriction) in skin, kidney, digestive track, and spleen • Inhibit energy storage (insulin resistance), glucose uptake to tissues (except active muscles and brain), and inhibition to repro- ductive and growth hormones • Release of antidiuretic hormone (causing fluid retention, to sustain increased blood pressure) • Initial increase in immune function, followed by suppression of immunity • Brain arousal • Pupil dilation These symptoms are part of our fight-or-flight response, which is necessary when we are in danger or about to be eaten by a tiger. We use this stress to survive. The situation gets resolved quickly and the body returns back to balance. In today’s world, we are most likely not going to be eaten by a tiger. However, we find other stressful situations to activate the stress response.

Chronic Stress and Illness Chronic stress keeps this response ‘on,’ and under this sustained stress, the body stays in high alert and the stress hormones keep on flowing. It’s the body’s adaption to chronic stress that makes us vulnerable to illness, disease and injury. In order to turn off this fight-orflight stress response we need to turn on our relaxation response.

Turning On Our Relaxation Response As the body engages in the relaxation response, the condition of stress is replaced by the state of deep relaxation. By relaxing the

body and mind through restorative poses, gentle stretching, and guided meditations and visualizations, we bring in a relaxation response where the body rests in a state of stillness. In this space, energy is directed to the processes of repair and rejuvenation, where natural healing takes place. Balance is restored and the body regains lost energy. Regular practice creates a reserve of energy where vitality, health, strength and creativity come from. We no longer feel depleted or trapped in the cycle of stress and tension. Natural and intuitive healing occurs. Regular practice is most beneficial and I have personally experienced healing on a deep level. I’ve healed injuries to my neck and shoulders, hamstring, SI joint, knee, and found relief from chronic back pain. I suffered for almost a decade from chronic back pain after being in a terrifying car accident in 2001. I had cortisone injections and was prescribed pain pills, which only masked the pain and brought temporary relief on a superficial level. Therapeutic yoga created the space I needed for true, deep healing and actually eased the pain. I have been free from chronic back pain for over four years now and continue to ease injury and heal through my regular practice. I also use my practice to manage anxiety and depression.

Physical and Mental Transformations When we journey inward to a place of stillness, we have tremendous potential for personal growth and transformation. Releasing physical holding patterns releases our mental patterns as well. Our experiences, thoughts and emotions are stored in the body, and through physical movement and release we have the potential for deep emotional release, thereby restructuring our mental patterns. We create new connections in the mind and body so that patterns of tension and negativity—our ruts—are replaced by new grooves of relaxation and positivity. How we hold our bodies reflects not only how we feel, but also how we feel about ourselves. In changing our physical posture, yoga can have a profound effect on our emotional outlook as well.

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Yoga is for Everyone Yoga is unique for everyone and every single person can benefit from gentle and therapeutic yoga, regardless of age or physical limitation. Yoga teaches us to be true to our needs and ourselves. It teaches us to feel our experiences and to let them go; if we hold on, we create more stress and blocks that stunt our growth in life. It’s only when we let the past go that we can work for a healthy future and invite in positivity and experience true happiness. Circumstances of life are often out of our control, but how we react, what we think, and what we feel, are in our control. Greeting difficult situations with ease is our best defense against illness, injury and stress, and the relaxation response is our most natural way to heal. Submitted by Cyndi Roberts. Facing liver failure, diabetes, and death, yoga, meditation and nutrition are the practices Cyndi used to save her life after a 12-year battle with severe depression, anxiety and a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder. She’s passionate about healthy living, gluten free baking, writing and sharing the knowledge and lived experience gained on her journey back to health. She’s currently writing a book and teaching private therapeutic and gentle yoga sessions in the West Hartford area. For more info please visit: www.yogawithcr.com. See ad on page 27. 51 East Main (Upper Level) Avon, CT 860.674.8600 M-F 10-6pm Sat 10-5pm www.NaturalNutmeg.com

Integrative Chinese Medicine and Breast Health: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science By Kenneth R Hoffman, D.Ac(RI), L.Ac., CCH

he art and science of Chinese Medicine dates back to the Huangdi Neijing, also known as the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon. It is an ancient Chinese medical text that is almost 3000 years old. It is one of the fundamental sources of Chinese medicine, still revered in its brilliance by doctors and used as a primary educational tool for doctors studying the oldest medical system in the world. The text covers the theoretical foundation of Chinese Medicine and its diagnostic methods. It examines acupuncture therapy in great detail. It also covers the normal seven-year cycles of hormonal changes that happen to women throughout life. It discusses the details of dealing with most every gynecological condition encountered by modern women. Of course, as the complexity of Chinese medicine evolved, specialties began to emerge, including gynecology. According to contemporary writers on Chinese medicine, around 400 BC, doctors who specialized in women’s health were called “dai xia yi” or doctors who treated conditions “below the skirt belt.” Later, around 200 BC, they were called “Ru Yi” or breast doctors. This was the beginning of Chinese medicine gynecology.

Detect Dysfunction, Prevent Disease The way Chinese doctors, including Chinese gynecologists, approached medicine was quite different from the way Western doctors approach medicine. In Chinese medicine the true art of medical practice was, and continues to be, in detecting patterns of disharmony in the body, or what we would call dysfunction, and correcting the body so that late-stage disease states would not occur. There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The superior doctor prevents sickness; the mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness, and the inferior doctor treats actual sickness.” This is quite a departure from our existing system of medicine where the focus is on disease, or worse yet on the treatment of symptoms without a true understanding of what is actually happening in the body. This leads to the overuse of strong medications, invasive surgeries, and late-stage detection of health issues such as heart disease and breast cancer. The highly referenced work called “Death by Medicine,” written by Gary Null, PhD and others, determined that the total number of deaths caused by conventional medicine is a shocking 783,936 per year because of this Western approach. This would make the American medical system the leading cause of death and injury in the U.S. (As a point of reference, the number of deaths attributable to heart disease in 2001 was 699,697; the number of deaths attributable to cancer was 553,251). Modern science has a plethora of technology that can aid early detection of disease, however, until 16

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certain assumptions about health are changed and a focus on prevention and correction of function occurs, women will continue to suffer needlessly with risky health conditions.

ICM Can Treat Any Condition While studying medicine and healing in Taiwan in the early 1990s with one of my mentors and teachers, a Taoist Medical master trained in all the healing traditions, I was able to see the power of Chinese healing. Specifically, I saw profound improvements in health with acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic exercise called Qi Gong, and dietary therapy. I learned that this medicine could successfully treat any condition. Later, while attending Chinese medical school in the United States, I found that most of the curriculum was based on only a basic understanding of classic texts and ancient methods of diagnosis such as inquiry, observation, pulse taking and palpation. Fortunately, I had already studied these skills before enrolling in school, because very little time was spent on actual practice and even less time was spent on how to incorporate this into American healthcare where patients routinely bring you Western lab tests and blood work.

Integrating Modern Technologies & Ancient Wisdom Once in practice, I quickly realized that what was missing was the study of modern technologies that can enhance and objectify our clinical exams. I had a revelation about the integration of the ancient technology of Chinese medicine and how its natural healing powers could be combined with the modern science of health such as blood testing, functional MRI, functional GI and hormone testing, thermography, and more. And thus I formed my unique approach to health called Integrative Chinese Medicine.

A Focus on Women’s Health Shortly after starting my practice, I incorporated Medical Infrared Thermography, a specialized test used to detect breast health risks. I combined this screening with all my other tools, including functional hormone evaluation, and focused on women’s health and how to correct hormone problems naturally. Studying with medical doctors and with Chinese masters, and then applying this knowledge to more than 60,000 patients’ treatments in the last 10 years, I have learned to combine the science of evaluation and diagnosis of dysfunction with the traditional evaluation and natural treatment therapies of Chinese medicine.

I have successfully cared for more than 6,000 patients, primarily women, for a range of conditions from PMS to menopause to advanced stages of breast cancer. The key to the system is not the treatment of symptoms but going to the root of a patient’s condition and treating the cause. It is the presiding philosophy that the ancient Chinese doctors knew; that symptoms are not the disease.

Symptoms are 10% of the Actual Problem A great friend and wise colleague of mine, Dr Tad Sztykowski, who is a classically trained MD who has been practicing Chinese medicine for 25 years, describes it the best. He says that symptoms are like the tip of an iceberg and are only 10% of the actual problem; 90% of health problems are below the surface with no outward symptoms at all. This dysfunction of the body is brewing, below the surface of awareness, waiting for some catalyst to come such as increased stress due to poor diet, stress of a job or the death of a loved one, poor sleep or lack of exercise, which then magnifies the condition enough to create outward symptoms. This is why a symptom of breast cancer, such as a lump, has actually, according to research, taken about 8 10 years to evolve, unknown to a woman until it is discovered all those years later.

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Manage Dysfunction and Avoid Disease When a problem is identified at the time a woman’s body malfunctions, it can be dealt with, safely and naturally, before it progresses to a diagnosable condition. This is the basis and beauty of ICM. Kenneth R. Hoffman, L.Ac, D.Ac (RI), started private training under the tutelage of a Taoist medical and qi gong master in 1991 where he began learning the art of Chinese healing through Qi Gong, Herbology, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage) and Tai Qi. He graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2004 and finished his clinical internship at St John’s Riverside Hospital. He is the medical director for Sophia Natural Health Center in Brookfield where his specialties are hormone conditions, allergies, pain and medical thermography. It is one of the largest acupuncture and Oriental medicine centers in Connecticut. He can be reached at his new location at Brookfield Medical Center, 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT or 203-7409300. www.SophiaNaturalHealth.com. See ad on page 17.

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A Naturopathic Approach By Yvette Whitton, ND

t is a startling and sad statistic that Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of Americans; 360,000 new cases are reported each year. The healthcare costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are estimated to be one hundred billion dollars annually. The naturopathic approach to Alzheimer’s addresses the underlying causes of the disease along with preventative lifestyle changes that can reduce the overall risk of AD. The good news is that there are many safe, effective and natural alternative modalities that naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) can use to treat Alzheimer’s.

Proper Diagnosis is Critical There are numerous tests that can isolate causes of dementia in AD patients; unfortunately the testing is not common practice among M.D.s. Many times the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is based solely on the symptoms of dementia that a patient exhibits. However, proper diagnosis of dementia should be preceded by isolation/ identification of the underlying causes. In fact, successful naturopathic treatment protocols for AD will not be obtained unless a thorough investigation into the cause of the neuronal damage within the brain is determined. Only then can an appropriate mode of treatment be designed for each patient.

Antioxidants The use of oxygen in most metabolic processes within the body, such as energy production, respiration, and the first step of liver detoxification, produces byproducts that are harmful to normal cells, resulting in illness and disease. These products are called free radicals. Antioxidants are substances that control freeradical damage by deactivating them. Glutathione is one of the main antioxidants naturally 18

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produced by the body. Other endogenous antioxidants include Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) and Superoxide-dismutase (SOD). The chemical components of glutathione are the amino acids glutamine, lysine and cysteine. As an antioxidant, glutathione can be considered superior because of its ability to regenerate other forms of antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid and vitamins A, C and E. It does not become a free radical itself after neutralizing free radicals, as do most other antioxidants. This characteristic of glutathione makes it an excellent choice of treatment for Alzheimer’s patients.

Dietary Sources of Glutathione Precursors Oral supplementation of glutathione is ineffective; however, the body is able to use the amino acids glutamine, lysine and cysteine to make glutathione and oral supplementation with these amino acids is effective in increasing levels of glutathione. Natural sources of glutathione and its components are recommended as they are most readily absorbed. Dietary sources of glutathione and its amino acid components are illustrated in the table below.

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Zinc Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is another essential antioxidant in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It is both fat- and water-soluble rendering this substance easily accessible to the nervous system. ALA also serves to reduce the oxidized forms of vitamins C and E. Zinc is an important neuronal component. A zinc deficiency can impair the way that insulin functions, resulting in damage to the delicate blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain, and consequently causing a decline in brain function. Many elderly patients are deficient in zinc, a main factor in dementia and AD pathology.

Botanical Applications for AD

thousand years ago. Crawford et al. conducted a study on the effectiveness of Reiki in Alzheimer’s disease. The study looked at preand post-treatment scores evaluated by the Annotated Mini Mental Status Exam (AMMSE) and the Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMABPC). Electromagnetic energy ranging from 8-10 Hertz was proven to produce a positive psychological healing impact. Participants received four weekly half-hour treatments over the duration of one month by master practitioners. Electromagnetic energy radiating from the hands of certain practitioners exceeded 10 Hertz. At the conclusion of the study there was a significant improvement in test scores from the initial 20-24 measured by the AMMSE, indicative of increased cognitive functioning.

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Many herbal supplements have proven effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and can be prescribed by naturopathic physicians. These include Herpuzine from the Chinese club moss, Galanthamine, Ginger and Shogaols. Ginger, Chinese cinnamon, and Ginkgo are currently being studied for their ability to help prevent plaque formation in blood vessels which can lead to symptoms of dementia in AD. Gingko and Gotu Kola have been proven to increase circulation within the brain.

Metal Toxicity and AD Metal toxicity has been linked to Alzheimer’s, making it an important factor to consider and address when creating a naturopathic treatment plan. Exercise is a ‘natural chelator’ and is extremely effective in the detoxification process for metals. Studies show that regular aerobic activity increases circulation within the central nervous system and its effects have proven beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline. To minimize heavy-metal exposure, avoid the use of aluminum cookware (some stainless steel cookware is bonded with aluminum). Also, chose natural deodorants that do not contain antiperspirant (aluminum is the drying agent in antiperspirants). Other sources of aluminum include many over-the-counter drugs, products contained in aluminum cans such as beverages, our water supply, and aluminum salts in food additives.

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Root canals and amalgam dental fillings that contain mercury are also toxic to the nervous system. Root canals are dead teeth and serve as a reservoir for bacteria and other disease causing microorganisms that can damage nerve cells. Consult with a dentist associated with the IAOMT (International Academy of Medicine and Toxicity): www.iomt.org, for further advice on dental health and disease prevention. ProNatural Physicians Group, LLC is a network of naturopathic doctors that serve patients throughout Connecticut. The memberbased organization provides administrative support such as insurance coding for service reimbursement and insurance credentialing. Interested NDs may contact Dr. Ann Aresco for membership information. Located in Milford and Newtown, Dr. Yvette Whitton is a naturopathic doctor and member of ProNatural Physicians Group. She specializes in oncology and chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s. She can be reached at Adonai Optimal Health and Wellness at (888) 655-8489. To learn more about naturopathic medicine, or to find a licensed naturopathic doctor near you, visit ProNaturalPhysicians. com. Most ProNatural Physicians Group NDs are providers for major insurance carriers. ProNatural Physicians Group, 355 New Britain Road, Kensington, CT, 06037. 860-505-0702. www.ProNaturalPhysicians.com. ProNaturalPhysicians@comcast.net. See ad on page 9.

Reiki is an alternative modality that addresses the mind-body connection in AD patients to encourage and support optimal health. Reiki is a form of touch therapy developed in Tibet more than two

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Keeping an Eye on Healthy Vision

By Penelope McDonnell, ND

he day we learned how to perform an eye exam in medical school was unforgettable. I walked into class expecting to see eye charts, to watch pupils dilate and retract, and to hear the phrase “follow my finger.” Instead, I was handed an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, plopped in front of a student volunteer, and, as the lights dimmed, introduced to the beautiful and fascinating behind-the-scenes world of the eye.

The Story in Your Eyes What we learned that day extended way beyond retina, macula, and optic disc. We learned about how the eye reflects blood pressure (both high and low), general cardiovascular health, blood sugar and diabetes, and so much more. I left the class with a new appreciation not only of the importance of a physical eye exam, but of the enormous amount of health information available right behind the pupil. I also realized that this wonderful demonstration also meant that the eye mechanism was on the front line of body organs affected by many of the most common diseases we see today: hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Given that, any support plan for the eye needs to focus on both the health of the body as a whole combined with targeted support for the prevention and treatment of diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and night blindness.

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Cataracts are a Symptom According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than half of U.S. adults who are age 65 or older have cataracts. As a result, there are more cataract surgeries performed than any other type of surgery. A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye (the allimportant clear disc right under the pupil) becomes cloudy, making objects appear dull and less defined. Nighttime driving can become difficult and color perception can shift. While many think that cataracts are just a normal part of aging and can be fixed with a short surgery, this misses the point. Cataracts are actually a symptom of something larger going on in the body and if they are caught early enough, measures can be taken to halt or even reverse them. If your eyes are currently healthy, there are certainly steps to take to support preventing them altogether.

Sunglasses, Cigarettes and Supplements One of the biggest culprits in eye disease is oxidation and free radicals, which scavenge and destroy cells in the eye (as well as the rest of the body—but the cells in the eye appear to be especially susceptible to the damage they cause). Avoiding cigarette smoke (yours or any one else’s), avoiding direct sunlight (pop on those UV-protective sunglasses), and supporting your gut health so it can properly absorb the nutrients that are so important to the eye all contribute to your body’s fight against free radical damage. Supportive supplements include a good multi-vitamin with some trace minerals, vitamins C and E, and the herbs bilberry and ginkgo biloba (although this herb is contraindicated if you have high blood pressure). Diet plays a role as well, so fill up on fruits and vegetables, especially sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, spinach, and kale, as they are high in carotenoids (like lutein and zeaxanthin) and citrus, with high doses of vitamin C. Avoid fried foods, hydrogenated fats and reduce alcohol and processed foods, since all of these increase the likelihood of free-radical damage in your eye.

Glaucoma Glaucoma, while certainly less prevalent than cataracts, shares a similar characteristic; there are supportive things you can do, once diagnosed, that may lessen symptoms. While there is more than one type of glaucoma, the underlying theme is an increase in eye pressure, which stresses the eye, causing possible vision disturbances or loss, eye pain, or headaches. If you are diabetic, African American, or have a family history of glaucoma, it is important to get a glaucoma test annually as part of your eye exam, starting at age 40 (at the latest). If you are none of those, then 65 is the recommended age to start. It also is critical to be under the care of a doctor if you are diagnosed with (or think you might have) glaucoma. When you are diagnosed with chronic or open-angle glaucoma, natural therapies that may help include magnesium, fish oil, vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, and chromium. As with cataracts, a healthy diet with few processed foods, and plenty of water, fruits, and veggies, will support improved eye health.

Night Blindness and Underlying Disease There are many causes of night blindness: toxicity, hypothyroidism, and liver disease being just a few, so if you suffer from it to any degree, be sure to mention this symptom to your doctor as it may be a sign of underlying disease. If you get your thyroid and liver checked out and they appear normal, consider addressing the problem with some detox strategies such as a threeday juice fast monthly (if your health permits), drinking detox teas regularly, alkalizing your body daily with green juices or chlorophyll, and increasing your water intake. Carotenoids can play a particularly key role in reversing night blindness, so be sure to include some source in your diet daily.

How to Save Your Healthy Eyes Lastly, and arguably most importantly, there is a lot you can do to keep your eyes healthy. If you spend more than three hours a day on the computer, or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eye strain. In my practice, I have seen marked improvement in patients’ vision when they start some form of gentle daily eye exercises (see below). Interestingly, they notice that their eye issue often returns when they stop doing them. So keep in mind that an ongoing healthy diet, exercise, and stress reduction all play a role in keeping eyes

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Sitting comfortably with your right hand stretched out in front of you and without moving your head: Focus on your thumb and follow it as you raise your hand up and then all the way down as far as you can see 3 times. With both hands outstretched in front of you, focus on your: Right thumb and move it as far right as you can see 3 times. Left thumb and move it as far right as you can see 3 times Right thumb as you move it diagonally up and to the right 3 times Left thumb as you move it diagonally down to the left 3 times Left thumb as you move it diagonally up to the left 3 times Right thumb as you move it diagonally down to the right 3 times Follow a large imaginary figure eight with your eyes 3 times. Gently cover your eyes and do another 3 imaginary figure eights in the opposite direction. Dr. McDonnell is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Cranial Sacral Therapist practicing with NaturapathicPartners in Ridgefield, CT and New York City. She specializes in supporting patients with autoimmune disorders, cancer, thyroid disorders, menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, and Lyme disease. She can be reached at (203) 470-1909 for an appointment. A full bio can be found at www.naturopathicpartners.com. See ad on page 15.

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

Shiny, Bouncy, Healthy Hair

ave you ever wondered why some people’s hair always seems to look great—bouncy and shiny, with no visible damage or split ends? Some people never seem to have a ‘bad hair day,’ or look like they need a haircut, and their hair always looks healthy. There are several steps you can take to gaining and maintaining a healthy head of hair. Shiny, bouncy, healthy hair is possible year-round. By taking the time to maintain your hair’s health, you too can say goodbye to bad hair days.

You Need a Trim! First and foremost, healthy hair requires frequent trimming. As the ends of each hair strand age, they can begin to split. Once the hair is split, it cannot be repaired. Regular trims will remove these split ends before they have a chance to travel up the hair shaft. All hair should be trimmed at least every ten weeks to prevent split ends. Shorter hairstyles will require more frequent trimming to maintain the shape of the style. Even if you are trying to grow your hair longer, it’s important to trim ¼ - ½ inch regularly. If split ends are not trimmed off when they start, they can split further and further up the hair shaft, requiring that much more be cut off when the hair finally is trimmed.

Get the Right Shampoo and Conditioner Another element in maintaining healthy hair is proper use of products. It is important to use shampoo and conditioner that are formulated for your hair type. If you have color-treated or chemically processed hair, you must use shampoo and conditioner designed for this hair type. The wrong shampoo can cause the color to fade and look drab, and can dry out the hair leaving a rough, dull texture. If you don’t color your hair, find a product made for your hair type. Dry hair and scalp need extra moisture to stay supple and maintain shine, while oily hair needs a product that will not weigh it down leaving it limp and lifeless.

Products for Your Styling Technique and Lifestyle In addition to the correct shampoo and conditioner, be sure to use the right products for your styling technique and lifestyle. If you blow-dry or heat style, a heat protectant is a must. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you need a product to counteract the drying effects of sun and weather, such as a leave-in conditioner or a moisturizing serum. Avoid products with a high alcohol content as

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these can dry the hair and exacerbate split ends. Hair should be shampooed as infrequently as possible to avoid over drying. Every other day is best for all but the oiliest of hair, and in the dry winter months every third day may do. In addition, limiting exposure to heat, whether from blow-drying, flat ironing, or curling tools, will help maintain shiny healthy strands.

Diet and Nutrition 1414

Tues., Wed., Fri. 10-6, Thurs. 10-7, and Sat. 10-5

Crucial to maintaining healthy hair is proper diet and nutrition. All the cells in your body require a balanced and healthful diet to thrive, and the cells which are responsible for hair production are no exception. Proper nutrition feeds the cells of the hair follicle, which in turn produces strong, healthy hair strands. Because hair takes a while to grow out, the results of a poor diet may not be visible right away, but eventually the toll of inadequate nutrition shows as dull, lifeless, and even thinner hair. It is especially important to get enough protein in the diet. Hair is made of a protein called keratin, and the body needs enough dietary protein to produce high quality keratin. Also of great importance to the production of strong hair strands are the Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are found in foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts, and the body cannot make hair without them. Vitamin A and beta carotene, as well as zinc, lysine, and copper, are other nutrients that are important to maintaining a healthy head of hair. A diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes overall health, and plays an important part in maintaining healthy hair.

Zzzzzzzs Getting enough sleep plays a fundamental role in the health of your hair. Sleep is the body’s time for restoration and rejuvenation. A lack of sleep affects the body’s immune function, hormone secretion, and ability to withstand stress. Inadequate sleep has health consequences for every part of the body, and this includes the hair. If you don’t get the required amount of shut-eye, you will see it in dull, lackluster locks.

Overall Health Finally, stress reduction and a generally healthy lifestyle are important if you want to maintain healthy hair. The health and appearance of your hair is a reflection of your overall wellness. Avoid bad health habits such as smoking, exercise regularly, and use stressreducing techniques such as yoga and meditation, and you will see the results in a beautiful head of hair. Lena Whalen is a hairstylist at the award-winning Salon Medusa in West Hartford center. With over 20 years experience in her field, she is skilled at cutting, styling, and coloring all hair types. Salon Medusa is located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford. More information can be obtained at www.salonmedusahair.com. For an appointment call 860-236-3344.

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NUTMEG “NUGGETS” Navigating Holiday Parties with Food Allergies or Sensitivities • Participate in planning or host the event yourself. If attending an event, talk to the host so they understand what foods you cannot have and why. Focus on foods you can have. Offer simple alternatives you enjoy. • Prepare a dish that is safe for you to eat. Make something substantial in case other options are limited. Eat beforehand so you’ll be less tempted to eat irritating foods. • Serve yourself first, and set aside some just for you to avoid cross contamination. • Focus on the real reason you are gathering. The holidays are a time for being thankful, celebrating life and health, and being together with friends and family. Happy Holidays! • For allergen-free holiday recipes go to: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=88 Submitted by Renee Bordeaux of Bordeaux Nutrition, LLC, located at 66 Cedar Street, Suite 204 in Newington. www.rezultsbyrenee.com.

Osteoporosis...It Doesn’t Hurt, So Why Worry?

steoporosis is a chronic, progressive condition in which bone cells are lost faster than they are replaced, often leading to fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. Many older people suffer disability and even death from osteoporosis-related fractures. While one in two women will suffer from an osteoporosis fracture in her lifetime, one in eight men will too. Apparently, many people confuse osteoporosis with arthritis, and wait for swollen joints and pain before going in for testing. Even though osteoporosis is painless (until you suffer a bone fracture), it is extremely important to find out how healthy your bones are and to make lifestyle and dietary changes. Risk Factors for Osteoporosis: 1. Gender (especially thin, Caucasian, Asian females) 2. Family history of osteoporosis 3. Age 4. Physically inactive 5. Taking corticosteroids, thyroid medications, anticonvulsant, anticoagulants, Dilantin, diuretics, antacids with aluminum, and drugs that affect digestion 6. Smoking

7. Heavy consumption of alcohol 8. Heavy consumption of carbonated beverages and/or coffee 9. Low intake of calcium and vitamin D 10. Chronic disease of the kidney, lung, stomach & intestines 11. Hormonal changes due to menopause or hysterectomy 12. Lactose intolerance or low stomach acid

What You Can Do to Prevent or Slow Osteoporosis: 1. Start an exercise program that incorporates weight bearing activity for at least twenty minutes, three times a week. Try walking, jogging, lifting weights, aerobics, or playing racquet sports. 2. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Enjoy nuts and seeds. Experiment with broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage and turnip greens. Try tofu, wild salmon, sardines, grains, or low fat dairy. Drink eight to ten glasses of water daily (herbal tea, juices or other liquids are not a substitute). Avoid caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, baked goods and junk food. 3. Include more calcium in your diet. Most Americans only get about 600mg/day of calcium, but studies show that adults 50 and over need 1200mg/day. Submitted by Dr. Jude Lombardi of Lombardi Chiropractic in Bloomfield. For more information or to book an appointment, call 860-2425400. See ad on page 21.

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Smart Party Planning

oliday parties can be tons of fun — and quite the strain on landfills. Did you know Americans produce about 1 million extra tons of garbage per week between Thanksgiving and New Years? This year, cut back on the excess waste, not the guest list, while entertaining. • Reuse plastic containers to send leftovers home with guests. • Fruit and vegetable scraps can be composted. • Avoid relying on Styrofoam and paper cups by inviting guests to bring their own unique mugs or glasses. • Provide containers for recycling aluminum and glass beverage bottles. • Wash and reuse plastic plates and flatware since they cannot be recycled. • For big parties consider renting supplies (less environmental impact than relying on disposables). • Buy paper products with recycled content, or, even better, use cloth tablecloths and napkins.

f you are installing holiday lights, consider purchasing more energy efficient Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). They have an average life span of 100,000 hours (vs. 1,500) and reduce energy consumption by up to 80-90%. Up to 25 strings can be connected end-to-end without overloading the typical household circuit. The sturdy epoxy lenses are nearly indestructible and their cool-burning personality makes combustion nearly impossible no matter how long they are left on.

ave our forests! Here are some ideas that will help save our trees and landfills:

• Most gift-wrap is not recyclable, and neither is ribbon. Wrap your presents in something that is, such as the Sunday comics, old road maps, and plain brown paper decorated with sponge art. • Place gifts in reusable bags or baskets, and don't wrap presents for Fido. • Children's artwork makes heartfelt cards and wrapping paper, especially for relatives. • Natural fiber raffia is a great replacement for ribbon; not only is it recyclable, it can also be left out in the spring for birds to use in their nests. • Snip the front of old greetings cards into colorful gift tags, or mail them as holiday postcards.

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Are Your Vitamins Lying to You?

icture this… shopping for supplements, you walk down the vitamin aisle of a store and you see a wall of products. Many have pretty pictures of fruits and vegetables on the label and others say things like “Raw”, “Non-GMO”, “whole-food”, and “food-rich.” You get excited; you know you don’t eat perfectly and want to fill in the nutritional gaps. Maybe these products could help! The staff recommends the “raw, whole-food multivitamin,” and you think, “Wow this product must be really great.” You leave with the comfortable thought that they ground up lots of fruit and veggies and put them in a pill, but the truth may be they did nothing of the sort. This encounter happens thousands of times per day across the US, people buying vitamins thinking they are 100% natural products.

Here’s where “natural” vitamins can be derived from: • Vitamin A - Acetone • Vitamin C - GMO corn syrup (occasionally another sugar is used), synthesized using the Reichstein Process • B1, B2, B3, B6, B5, Folic Acid - Synthesized from yeast, bacteria, or coal tar • B12 - GMO bacteria or bacterial synthesis • Vitamin D - Irradiated lanolin (Sheep wool) • Vitamin E - GMO Soybeans • Beta carotene - Benzene rings from acetylene gas • Calcium – chalk (calcium carbonate) • Other minerals - Ground up mineral ores With all the negativity surrounding pharmaceutical companies, some of which comes from people in the natural products industry, you might be surprised to learn that the supplement industry uses similar compounds. To the shock of many, “Big Pharma” can also be called “Big Supplement.” Pharmaceutical and chemical companies manufacture the vast majority of the raw materials that go into supplements most people use. For example, BASF, which is a chemical company, is a leading supplier of synthetic B vitamins to most of the 28

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health-food stores, drug stores, and practitioner brands. We’re not exempt; some of the brands we sell will have raw materials originating from a pharmaceutical company or chemical company.

Understanding Our Vitamins We have to find an easy way to think about what a vitamin actually is. Imagine the hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions that are happening in our body at any given time. A vitamin is one, single ingredient of these chain reactions that is essential to “sustain life.” We normally can’t create these compounds so we need to get them from food. Remove the vitamin and the “life-sustaining” reaction won’t happen. Typically, this causes some disease or deficiency. Remove Vitamin C, you’ll get scurvy. Remove Vitamin K and you will have bleeding abnormalities. A “vitamin isolate” then is that individual chemical in a product you buy at the store. Buying a vitamin isolate is like going to the car dealership and just buying the steering wheel. Compare this to food, the food will have the vitamin along with the other beneficial compounds, such as cofactors, protein, fiber, phyto-nutrients, etc. With isolates, though, we’re talking about just one specific compound such as ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), retinol (a form of Vitamin A), pyridoxine (B6) and the like. Vitamin isolates can be made, like anything, via chemical processes in a lab. As shown above, those chemical processes are a far stretch from any of the “100% natural” claims the supplement industry would like you to believe. Manufactured vitamin isolates can also come from natural sources. The best brands strive to use natural isolates but the cost difference is so vast that the synthetic sources are almost always used. For example, Vitamin A can be derived from fish liver oil, but usually the synthetic form is used. Beta Carotene can be derived from algae, but most companies use the synthetic form instead.

Here is a list of natural sources that vitamins can be made from: • Vitamin A – fish liver oil (usually cod) • Vitamin D – fish liver oil (usually cod) • Beta Carotene – algae • Calcium, Other Minerals – from mineral ores then chelated (attached to) amino acids or proteins So besides a few whole food products, vitamin isolates such as B Vitamins, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are made from synthetic sources. Occasionally, bioflavonoids or rose hips will be added to Vitamin C or an alternative sugar is used in ascorbic acid synthesis.

Are Natural Sources of Vitamins Better? In some cases, yes, natural sources are preferred. This is because compounds may differ, albeit slightly, in chemical structure from food/natural sources as compared to the synthetic ones. A common example is folic acid versus food folate. Folate is preferred because it does not need to be converted in the body. Many woman lack the gene to turn synthetic folic acid into folate. Isolates are not always bad and are, in fact, necessary in some cases. We take to task the lack of transparency and misdirection in the supplement industry surrounding isolates. While it is not wrong to sell synthetic vitamins, it is wrong to mislead consumers into thinking that they are natural. Consumers have a right to know what is in their supplements and how they are made. We apply best-practice standards to each category in our stores (ie. fish oil, mushrooms, beauty care, pet nutrition, and isolates). An overarching theme for all categories is that there is honesty and transparency. Our requirement is that claims such as “Raw”, “Natural”, “Non-GMO”, “Food Based”, and “whole-food” when used to market the product (like on the label) are validated and accurate.

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A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words This is a classic example. This photo was in one of our wholesaler catalogs for a supplement brand. It shows the disconnect between what you and I think a supplement should be and what the company actually does. What’s worrisome to us as patient advocates is the discrepancy between how they market the product and, again, what the product actually is.

Whole Food Vitamins The discussion again focuses on the vast difference between what consumers want and what they are given. Currently the pendulum is swinging again: people are moving away from isolates and towards, what they think, are more unprocessed, “whole-food” nutrients in their supplements. Unless you are an insider, however, you would not know the processes that are used to make such “wholefood” supplements. An ideal whole-food vitamin is made using a very sophisticated process. First, organic crops are harvested, cleaned, quarantined and tested. They are then cold milled into a coarse powder. Then, they are low temperature dried to remove the water. The remaining powders are then blended and low temperature tableted or encapsulated. Doing it right is an expensive, labor-intensive practice that can be thrown off by the poor availability of crops or bad weather. A real whole food supplement does not use any synthetic or isolated chemicals at any time during the manufacturing of the product. The label should not list any chemical names such as Thiamine HCl, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Citrate, Pyrodoxine HCl, or Retinol Palmitate, just to name a few. When examining the procedures at most “whole-food” companies, we’re left wondering if they are even trying. A major “wholefood” supplement manufacturer actually published their procedures, admitting that no food goes in or out of the factory. Like others, they take the chemical isolates that we talked about previously and

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“feed” them to Brewer’s yeast. This simply creates a yeast mixed with a chemical isolate. It does not change the chemical structure of the nutrient or improve the absorption or bioavailibility of the nutrient. We recently removed a company from our shelves because of a change in their whole food manufacturing process. They used great procedures and had an industry leading product. Recently, they wanted higher concentrations of vitamin strengths, and instead of concentrating their foods, they added in chemical isolates to their whole food mixture. Soon, they started using less food (since it was more expensive) and more isolates. Another problem is that many companies use high heat drying methods. Some will use methods such as spray drying (high heat, high pressure) to speed the process, thus making it cheaper. How much nutrition is left in a vegetable after it has been heated excessively? Thankfully, spray drying is used by manufacturers that are not using much food to begin with. Many vitamin companies will use claims such as “food-rich” or “whole-food” when discussing their supplement products. The reason supplement companies use those terms is because there is no regulation of them. You can have as little as five percent food in a product and call it “whole-food, “food-based”, or “food-rich.”

Finding the Real Stuff The happy patient from the beginning of our discussion then asks, “If the supplement industry is not being forthcoming about what’s really in their products, what can be done about it?” First, the point of this article is to create a dialog. Ask questions. What do you want to accomplish with a wellness program? What would best help you achieve that? (Hint: It’s Food First) What supplements can you use? Are the supplements really what they are claiming to be? After you’ve modified your diet to include foods rich in vitamins, you need to find companies that are selling truly whole-food supplements. These are the companies we want to support. They’re doing the right thing in the face of lower margins and subsequently, profit. Quality supplement companies aren’t just those that have top-of-mind recognition. Quality supplement companies are companies who put the consumer above the bottom line. These companies have proper manufacturing and quality procedures. These companies are honest about what they sell and do not attempt to mislead the consumer with false claims or advertising. In the whole food world, the bad news is there are only a few companies dedicated to an entire line of 100% whole-food products. Some companies make one or two products that are truly whole-food and the rest of their line is made of synthetic or isolated vitamins. Many companies make great “green drink” powders or the occasional high quality food powder. But as far as true whole-food supplements, there are only a handful of companies left.

The Vitamin Industry Let Us Down It’s really sad that an industry that started with so much potential has decided the bottom line is more important. Original supplement companies made whole foods like wheatgrass, spirulina, and desiccated liver pills. Now, isolated compounds are the standard fare. If we can erase the negatives from the industry, we may have more widespread acceptance of natural products. We know there

are good products out there. We know there are companies doing the right thing. If we can constantly search for the best, safest products and match that with expertise and the best available evidence, then maybe there will be a paradigm shift. Consumers will be more skeptical, searching through the propaganda and misinformation, while doctors will be less skeptical and open to using supplements they can trust. We’re here to raise the bar in the natural products industry. We know the wellness experience people are looking for. We hope to be a trusted, honest advisor to help you along the way. If enough of us band together, we can be the catalyst for change in an industry that has lost its way. Our desire is to achieve “Honesty in Wellness” - transparency in the manufacturing of vitamins and wellness products and truth in their promotion and marketing. We know that the natural products industry has tremendous potential to make healthier, happier people. We also know that regulations and their enforcement, especially around what we call “buzzword claims,” are weak. We are on a mission to educate the populace on what’s really going on in the supplement industry and how that differs from the marketing mirage. Submitted by Neal Smoller, Jr, PharmD and Josh Boughton of Village Vitality. Neal is the owner and Compounding Pharmacist of Village Apothecary in Saugerties and Woodstock, NY and founder of Village Vitality, a new breed of vitamin stores set on raising the bar in the natural products industry .Josh is Village Vitality’s Natural Product Director, responsible for establishing the standards of excellence for the products, and designing products unique to Village Vitality. He has over 10 years experience in the natural products industry and has worked as a consultant formulating many topselling vitamin products .For more information, visit their new location in West Hartford Center or www.villagevitality.com. See ad on page 21.

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Natural Support of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

magine being bound by obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors or impulsiveness that you cannot control or rationalize. These are only a few symptoms individuals with OCD struggle with. Constant obsessions and rituals not only affect daily life, but can also affect social connections and the ability to hold a job. Obsessive behavior is more than checking to see if the stove is off before leaving the house. Usually, individuals who struggle with obsessive rituals will not feel satisfied even after checking the stove, sometimes performing the ritual up to 100 times before they are able to relax. It can be very time consuming and individuals can feel trapped by their own obsessive thoughts, unable to stop the irrational thoughts, even if they can acknowledge that it is irrational. Diagnosing OCD is complicated as symptoms and severity can vary. OCD symptoms typically emerge in childhood, peeking in the teen years with research suggesting that OCD may run in families. The exact cause of obsessive compulsive disorder has not been identified, however, it has been speculated that environmental fac-

tors may play a role. Areas of the brain that are involved in processing stress, fear and anxiety are more active in those that suffer from OCD. Managing stress and anxiety is paramount to reducing the severity of OCD symptoms. There are many treatment options for OCD symptoms, including psychotherapy treatments that help to reduce repetitive thoughts and impulsiveness. Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications can be useful but need careful monitoring for side effects and effectiveness. Naturopathic medicine offers several interventions that can also provide support in treating this disorder.

Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies 1. Fatty Acids: Diets that are low in essential fatty acids, naturally found in fish, nuts and flax, put one at a higher risk of developing mental disorders like OCD. Specifically DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain function and health, has been found to help reduce the severity or obsessive compulsive behaviors.

2. Amino Acids: Amino acids are considered building blocks of protein as they help to build and maintain muscle mass and body tissues. They also play a role in neurotransmitter production and degradation. Neurotransmitters are the chemical communicators between cells in the brain. When these neurotransmitters are not produced in proportionate amounts mental disorders can result. L-tyrosine is an amino acid that supports the manufacturing of neurotransmitters that support mood and reduce stress. Supplementing with L-tyrosine has been shown to help alleviate the amount of impulsive behaviors in those who suffer with OCD. L-tryptophan is another amino acid that gets converted to 5-HTP in the body and

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then further becomes serotonin. Serotonin is a mood supporting neurotransmitter that is needed for a positive balanced mood. 3. B vitamins: Inositol, a water soluble B vitamin, facilitates the transmission of neurotransmitters within the brain. Inositol also assists in maintaining cell membrane integrity, reducing damage to nervous system cells. Inositol has been used as an adjunct therapy for OCD with great success. Folic Acid, another B-vitamin, is known for its cognitive enhancing benefits. Found primarily in dark leafy greens, organ meats and fortified foods, folic acid in addition to other B vitamins are commonly low in the standard American diet. Folic acid supplementation is essential for a pregnant mother to develop the brain and nervous system of the fetus and serves similar nervous system supportive benefits in adults. Supplementation can help to ensure sufficient amounts of folic acid for nervous system support. Many B vitamins, specifically B12, are needed in the production of neurotransmitters. When B12 is low, neurotransmitter production slows down and symptoms of OCD can be exacerbated. B12 being a finicky nutrient to absorb, it is worthwhile to be tested to make sure levels are appropriate. 4. L-theanine is a constituent of tea, known for its relaxing and calming affects. Specifically, L-theanine stimulates alpha brain wave activity, which is responsible for deep relaxation. L-theanine can be used to help reduce stress induced obsessive behaviors. 5. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) works as an antioxidant in the brain, preventing oxidation. Oxidation creates damage to the nervous system cells, which reduce their ability to communicate with one another.

Testing for OCD 1. Heavy metal testing: We are exposed to heavy metals through environmental exposures including paint fumes, exhausts and contaminated food products. Heavy metals are known for their detrimental effects on the nervous system, as they deposit in the nervous system and block the normal cellular communication. Mental disorders have shown improvement with heavy metal detoxification. Testing for specific heavy metals can be helpful in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. 2. Nutrient testing: Testing for specific nutrients including B12, folic acid and amino acids can help to pinpoint supplements that could be warranted in the treatment of OCD. It is also helpful to have a baseline nutrient status so when supplementation is implemented, retesting after a period of time can indicate if nutrients are being absorbed. 3. Neurotransmitter testing: Specifically looking at levels of neurotransmitters, the chemical communicators in the brain can be helpful in pinpointing treatment for OCD. Balance between positive mood supportive neurotransmitters and inhibitory neurotransmitters is the key. If obsessive compulsive disorder is suspected, a thorough evaluation needs to be pursued. While the severity of OCD symptoms can vary, individuals with OCD are at a high risk of alcohol and drug abuse and suicide. Finding the appropriate treatment protocol for symptom management can greatly improve the quality of life for those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Ashley Burkman is a board certified licensed naturopathic physician at Connecticut Natural Health Specialists, LLC in Manchester, CT. She is in network work most insurance companies and is now taking new patients. For appointments, please call (860)533-0179. See ad on page 33.

REMEDIES

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

Five Steps to Stress-Free Holidays

he holidays are around the corner—this means family, friends, and food! For many, the holiday season can cause stress, whether it is because of more or less time with family, poor food choices, or too many responsibilities. Here are five simple strategies to help you reduce stress during the holidays while you continue with your natural and healthy lifestyle.

Avoid Inflammatory Foods & Drink Water 1. Maintain a Gluten-Free Diet: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and often, oat. Gluten is inflammatory, which means that when it is eaten it can create inflammation in the body. Eliminating or even limiting inflammatory foods will improve your mood! Many of us are familiar with serotonin, which is a common neurotransmitter that is involved with mood regulation. The majority of serotonin in the body is produced in the gut—this is often referred to as ‘the brain in the gut.’ When our gut is inflamed it affects serotonin levels and thereby affects the way we feel. 2. Stick with Organic: Other inflammatory foods include refined sugars, processed foods, pesticides that commonly are found on non-organic fruits and vegetables, and animal protein that is filled with growth hormones and antibiotics. By eliminating gluten from our diet as well as other inflammatory foods, we can improve the way we feel and ultimately increase our threshold for stress. 3. Avoid Refined Sugars and High Glycemic Foods: Refined sugars can irritate our nervous system as well as our gut and immune system. Stress is mediated partly through our brain which is an important part of our nervous system. When we eat refined sugars, our threshold for stress is reduced significantly. Consider a child that is impulsive and hyperactive. This impulsivity is greatly increased after intake of processed sugar, as all parents know! Reducing refined sugar in the diet can significantly reduce stress. 4. Drink Lots of Water: Water is remarkable at flushing out toxins in our body and supporting our immune system. In fact, dehydration can exacerbate feelings of stress. Drinking lots of water during the holiday season can help significantly.

Nutritional Supplements for the Holiday Season Rescue Remedy: Helps with balancing our emotions during a stressful time. Kava: Supports the adrenal glands which are involved in stress production. Ashwaganda: Supports the adrenal glands. 5 HTP: Supports mood regulation. Digestive Enzymes: Help with digestion of carbohydrates during holiday meals. Zinc: Supports the immune system and produces hydrochloric acid that can support optimal digestion.

Gymnema: Herb that supports sugar metabolism and reduces sugar cravings. Green Tea: Great antioxidant, supports digestion, weight loss and appetite control. Raspberry Ketones: Supports weight loss and appetite control.

Healthy Holiday Meal Planning You can prepare traditional dishes with a few twists that will minimize gluten and refined sugars, which, as noted, will help you manage stress. Turkey is simple enough but what about the gravy? Gravy can easily be thickened with corn starch or potato starch instead of wheat flour. Cook more roasted veggies like roasted sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts instead of vegetable dishes that have a lot of breading. In fact, you can be adventurous and attempt gluten-free stuffing or you can forgo the traditional stuffing and make a rice dish instead. Instead of offering bottles of wine or champagne, have bottles of sparkling cider on hand, at least as an easy alternative for those who want to avoid alcohol. Alcohol breaks down in the body as a sugar, creating more stress. Avoiding alcohol will help everyone be more tolerant of the extra pressures the holidays can bring.

You Time! Carve out some time for yourself during the holiday season. You can incorporate some exercise into your week or even just a daily walk for some fresh air. Creating some movement in your body helps to release stress.

Being Thankful Lastly, it is helpful to remember that the holiday season is about being thankful and spending more time with people we care about. Stress may be inevitable, but reminding yourself that it’s normal, that you’re doing the best you can, that you’ve faced and overcome challenges over the past year, and that you’re special and worthy will help to alleviate internal tension. To be able to give our love to others, we need to love ourselves. Taking care of ourselves will help us take care of those we love and enjoy the season. 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, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT. 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. IIMT is a network of health care clinics providing manual therapy and rehabilitation in the United States, Canada and Europe. He is Vice President of DCR, Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, the learning, resource and research center for IMT in Connecticut. See ad on page 29. www.NaturalNutmeg.com

NOURISH

By Vicki Kobliner MS, RD, CD-N

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Are they Really Type 3 Diabetes?

lzheimer’s disease and other dementias steal one’s mind and cause untold physical, mental and financial stress on the families of those trying to care for affected relatives. Sadly, these burdens will only increase as our population ages. Currently, there are no cures for dementia but as is typical with many chronic illnesses, making prudent choices about nutrition and herbal support can stave off the worst effects of dementia. In particular, there is growing evidence that Alzheimer’s and other related disorders are uniquely tied to blood sugar regulation. As a result, a number of researchers have started calling Alzheimer’s Type 3 diabetes.

An Inability to Process Glucose Diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to process glucose properly. Glucose is the primary source of energy for cells, especially brain and muscle tissue. Ordinarily, much of the food we eat, especially sugars and carbohydrates, are converted to glucose (also called blood sugar) in the liver. Any glucose that is not used immediately after a meal is picked up by insulin in the blood and stored in the fat cells for future use. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas (the insulin producing organ) does not function properly, so insulin is not manufactured and blood sugar remains elevated in the blood stream. In Type 2 Diabetes, the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin and blood sugar remains high. Insulin resistance is correlated with obesity.

From Fatigue to Vision Loss and Nerve Damage High blood glucose causes a host of short- and long-term problems. In the short term, high blood sugar can result in fatigue, frequent urination, and increased susceptibility to infection. It is particularly concerning in the elderly, who can become dehydrated or lose balance as a result. Serious long-term consequences include kidney disease, heart disease, vision loss and nerve damage. Now, research suggests that dementia is another costly outcome.

The Brain Requires Glucose The defining characteristics of the metabolic syndrome that comes with uncontrolled blood sugar are clogged arteries and inflammation. This is consistent with the plaques and inflammation in the brains of those with dementia. Because of the brain’s intense activity, it requires a large percentage of our glucose stores. When access to glucose stores is limited by diabetes, brain metabolism is slowed, and plaques cannot be cleared. Many of the same techniques that improve the symptoms of diabetes and metabolic syndrome are showing efficacy for Alzheimer’s as well.

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

The Importance of Your Daily Diet Dietary modifications have an important place in protecting brain function. Sugary treats and highly processed carbohydrates will increase the inflammation that promotes metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer’s. Any foods with anti-inflammatory properties are particularly key for protecting against metabolic syndrome and improving brain-cell function. Fruits and vegetables which have the greatest naturally occurring antioxidant potential include the deeply colored ones such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, red bell pepper, grapes, cherries and oranges. Include these in the diet in generous quantities every day.

Omega-3s are Potent Protectors Omega-3 fatty acids also are potent protectors of brain function. The brain is made up primarily of fat, especially DHA, one of the omega-3 varieties. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) increase the plasticity of the brain, allowing better cell-to-cell communication and inhibiting plaque formation. EFAs are also potent anti-inflammatory agents. Fatty fish are good sources of these fats. Salmon, mackerel and other high-fat fish have been shown to lower beta-amyloid, a protein fragment which destroys the synapses that allow cells to communicate. Beta amyloid has been strongly implicated in Alzheimer’s development. Certain nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts also contain desirable omega-3s as well as Vitamin E, another nutrient which appears protective against dementia.

Legumes Legumes should be included in a dementia-defensive diet. Beans are rich in folate, magnesium, and iron, which are essential for neuron firing. They also contain choline, a part of the brain chemical acetylcholine, production of which is reduced in Alzheimer’s.

Include Coffee and Dark Chocolate Fortunately, there are certain treats that can and should be included in the arsenal of Alzheimer’s preventive foods. Coffee and dark chocolate are antioxidant rich and may be Alzheimer’s protective. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which slow the progression of heart disease and seem to do the same for dementia. Just avoid adding sugar to coffee or dark chocolate, as this will increase undesirable inflammation.

Herbs Certain herbs have shown promise in improving memory and cognitive function in those with dementia. Ginko Biloba is probably the best known of these botanicals and an extract from its leaves is used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s in Europe. In the early stages of the disease it may slow progression and improve quality of life. Huperzine A is an herb derived from Chinese Huperzia serrate, which has the potential to ameliorate the effects of Alzheimer’s. It acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a compound which enhances neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Studies using Huperzine A have found an increase in memory and behavioral function. Lemon balm, periwinkle and sage also show promise in enhancing cognitive function and lemon balm may reduce agitation in those with Alzheimer’s disease.

“ Who Else Wants a Painless Dental Experience for Their Entire Family?”

The Best Bottle on the Spice Rack Curcumin, also known as turmeric, lowers the dangerous beta amyloid proteins, has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and can bind certain metals, such as aluminum, which has been implicated in Alzheimer’s development. Curcumin is widely used in Indian dishes such as curries, and research shows that those who eat a meal with curry three times a week have less dementia than those who consume it less often. Some research has even shown reversal of dementia with high doses of curcumin. In short, a diet low in sugar, yet rich in dark-colored produce, legumes, omega-3 fats, curcumin, and other anti-oxidant-rich compounds can prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Adding targeted botanicals can further support cognitive function. 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 17.

My Personal Promise to My Patients:

Dr. Thomas Livingstone has been serving the Southern Berkshires area since 1975.

“ 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

See What My Patients Say:

Offering:

• Mercury Filling Removal • Bio-Compatibility Testing • Mercury Detoxification • Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening • Non-toxic Fillings / Crowns • Dental Implants • Porcelain Veneers • Dentures & Partials • Invisible or Regular Braces • Smile Makeovers • Non-Surgical Gum Care • Easy Payment Plans Scan with your smartphone to learn more.

OFFICE HOURS: MON 10-6, TUES 9-7, WED 9-6, THURS 7-2 FRI 8-12

“Dr. Livingstone is a gem of a dentist!” - Catherine W., MA “Highly recommended...Dr. Livingstone is friendly, compassionate, professional. I drive an hour to see him and it’s well worth the trip!” - Brian S., CT

Livingstone Dental Excellence

3 Railroad Street, Canaan, CT 06018 www.LivingstoneDentalExcellence.com www.DrTLivingstone.com

New Patient Offer:

Call Us Now to Receive a $100 Gift Card!! Just mention this ad Call Dr. Thomas Livingstone At (888)888-SMILE Or (860)824-0751 Free, Friendly Phone Advice

www.NaturalNutmeg.com

DISH

By Chef Antoneos Kalmanidis

Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Cauliflower Ingredients: Boneless short ribs – 30 ounces Onions – 2 medium sized Garlic bulbs – 2 (cleaned & chopped) Diced tomatoes (canned) – 3 pounds Olive oil – 1 cup Wine (burgandy or mild port wine) – 750ml Beef stock – 4 cups Kosher salt – 4 tablespoons Ground black pepper – 4 tablespoons Cauliflower – 3 whole pieces Idaho potato – 3 medium sized Kosher salt – 2 tablespoons Ground black pepper – 2 tablespoons Granulated garlic – 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese – 1 cup

Directions: Short Ribs - Cut short ribs into 6 ounce cubes, place on sheet tray, salt and pepper (2 tablespoons of each) one-side of each short rib. - Heat olive oil in a soup or sauce pot, add short ribs and sear both sides until a nice golden brown. - While ribs are searing, chop onions into cubes and mince garlic - Remove ribs from pot and place on a sheet tray, dump excess oil from pot, add onion and garlic to pot in order to deglaze flavors from the bottom of the pot. - Add ribs back to pot, add wine to pot and reduce to half, add beef stock and cans of diced tomatoes, add salt and pepper (2 tablespoons of each), stir to incorporate. - Place pot in oven and bake at 350° for 3-5 hours. Every 30 minutes flip ribs and stir. - Short ribs are done when able to pinch ribs and pull apart, remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes - Remove meat from pot and hand blend remaining liquid, add salt and pepper to taste. - Finished sauce should taste like a meaty marinara sauce. Directions: Mashed Cauliflower - Remove root from cauliflower, clean and peel potatoes. - Boil cauliflower and potatoes for 20-30 minutes (until soft), drain pot and let cool for 20 minutes. - Place cauliflower and potatoes into a large bowl and mash until smooth. - Add parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. Submitted by Breno Donatti of Bistro 7 Farm to Fork Restaurant at 991 Danbury Rd in Wilton. Recipe by Chef Alex Serrano. Bistro 7 uses as many local ingredients and purveyors as possible. Visit Bistro 7 at www.bistro7wilton.com. 203-587-1287, breno@bistro7wilton.com. At Bistro 7 we offer you a seasonally changing menu which allows us to make sure we are using the best ingredients possible; supporting the farmers and producers of our surroundings as much as possible, and sourcing wine and beer that are actually “worth the sip”. We are part of the Slow Food movement and the Non GMO project.

Natural Nutmeg December 2013

Sunday, December 1st

Friday, December 6th

Gathering of Healers with Dan Lupacchino. 3pm. – 6pm. $10 minimum donation. A Gathering place for healing practitioners to share, socialize and recharge. As healers, we are often so focused on caring for others that we neglect ourselves. Share the gifts of healing energies with other practitioners in a safe, nurturing and fun environment. All healing modalities welcome if they can ﬁt in within the context of a Reiki treatment. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

So You Want to be a Medium? 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. $50.00. Are you ready to take your intuitive skills to the next step by connecting with angels, guides and loved ones in the spirit world? Participants will learn the differences between mediumship and psychic ability, how to receive messages clearly and how to know who you are working with in the spirit world. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Tuesday, December 3rd Creating Conscious Loving Relationships with Lynda Aldorisio. 6:30 pm. – 8:30 pm. $30.00. Enhance and ignite your relationships learning essential reliable bodycentered tools and skills. The art of creating healthy relationships is feeling your feelings, speaking from a foundation of authentically, listening consciously, joyfully taking responsibility for your life and purpose, and generating ongoing appreciation. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wednesday, December 4th Praying in Color. 6:30 pm. – 8pm. $35.00. This workshop will teach you a new prayer form that will open your creative channels, quiet your mind and soothe your soul. Using simple drawing shapes and writing, you will learn how to tap into your inner child and make a deeper connection with Spirit. No drawing ability required…just an open heart and mind. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Thursday, December 5th Wholistic HCG Fat Loss Program, Free Educational Seminar. Get into your Little Black Dress for the Holidays!! Learn how you can lose up to 30 pounds in 40 days with our Unique, safe and effective, medically supervised weight loss program! 6-7pm, Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, 18 School St., Glastonbury, CT. Call 860-657-4105 to reserve your space. www.naturopathicwellness.com.

Saturday, December 7th Psychic Saturday. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $25.00 for a 20-minute reading. Receive a private reading to connect you to guidance from your angels, spirit guides and loved ones. Check the web site for Readers. Prescheduling is highly recommended. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To pre-schedule an appointment, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, December 8th Reiki II. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. $150.00. Receive attunements to higher frequencies of universal energy and enhance your healing work. Learn how to do distance healing, as well as heal mental, emotional and past life issues. Participants receive a manual and certificate. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To pre-schedule an appointment, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Tuesday, December 10th Gongs & Himalayan Singing Bowls Healing Meditation. 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Priscilla Gale Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. 06033. (860) 657-9545. www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Wednesday, December 11th Healing in Harmony Night. 5pm – 7pm. 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,

HAPPENINGS Glastonbury. For more information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Saturday, December 14th Get Your Toes Wet! Expressive Art Experience. 12:30-3:30pm $40. Each Saturday workshop includes materials. A playful, spacious atmosphere allows you to open up and trust the artist within. Create authentic imagery using paint, collage, and multimedia drawing materials. Guided meditation and breath awareness bring us home to the present moment and our joyful intuition. Facilitated by Elisabeth Moss BFA, Expressive Art facilitator. Held at 12 Old Farms Rd. Avon, CT. To register call 860-550-0882. No prior art experience needed!

Tuesday, December 17th Healing with the Masters with Dan Lupacchino. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $25.00. Join Dan Lupacchino and the Ascended Masters, for an evening of guided meditation and light-body activation. The Masters wish to share important information about how to work and utilize light and consciousness to help ease, the mind, body, and spirit. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wednesday, December 18th Home Message Circle. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $15.00. The session is open to anyone who wishes to practice their mediumship message delivery in a group. Your ability doesn’t matter as we are all here to get some practice and learn from each other. A group facilitator will help you stay on track with your message if needed. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Friday, December 20th Gallery Night. 6:30 pm. – 8:30 pm. $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-registraNaturalNutmeg.com www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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HAPPENINGS tion and pre-payment are required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Friday, December 20th Crystal Singing Bowl Yule Meditation. 7:00pm - 8:00pm. Priscilla Gale. Soul Space Yoga. 28 W. Main St., Plantsville, CT, 06479. 860-426-1601. www.soulspaceyoga. com.

Saturday, December 21st Open House and Crafter’s Fair. 10am. – 4pm. FREE. Join us for our annual Open House and Crafter’s Fair. Do your last minute gift shopping, come and see what the Center has to offer or just stop by for some fellowship. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For more information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Sunday, December 22nd Women’s Empowerment Meditation. 10am. – 12 noon. $25.00. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. 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. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com. IN-2-IT Kids Spiritual Development Program. 1pm. – 2:30 pm. $15.00. Do you have an intuitive child who needs to be with like-minded people? This is a monthly program for kids to help them develop and better understand their intuitive gifts. Each month participants will practice meditation techniques and then work with a variety of skills to develop their intuitive gifts. Parental permission required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

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Natural 2013 Natural Nutmeg Nutmeg December December 2013

Winter Solstice Celebration. 11-4pm Holiday shopping, refreshments, intuitive/ Tarot card readers, massage therapists, Crystals & More. Sixth Scents, 51 East Main St., upper level, Avon, CT 06001. (860) 6748600.

Saturday, January 18th Lose The Thoughts That Weigh You Down. 1:00pm – 4:00pm. $50.00. Also January 25th. In this three-hour workshop, you will learn exactly how and why your thoughts and emotions influence your ability to lose weight and what you can do to about it. By the end of the workshop, you will have a tool box full of life changing techniques to change the way you think and feel as much as the way you look. Class size limited to 10 for an optimal experience. 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037. To register, please call: 860-707-0908 or email Kristen: kristen@balancedlivingnow.com.

ONGOING Tuesday Conscious Living Relationship Tools Series. Ongoing Second Tuesday’s. 7-9pm. $20.00. Lynda Aldorisio, Certified Life Coach. The intention of this series is to learn how to end power struggles, criticism, get unstuck from recurring patterns; to communicate authentically/listen consciously. Come explore/ discover esential relationship tools to create more harmony/vitality/love/creativity. Spirit Matters, 199 West Center Street, Manchester, CT. 2 Day Registration. lyndaaldo@ yahoo.com. Ph. 508-962-0009. Awakening Loves Presence/4 week Expressive Art Group. $175. In this class using multi-media art supplies we let go of judgment and find the deepest treasure is in relationship to our creative life as we explore and express from Love’s Presence. Meditation prepares us for to create from heart.no prior art experience needed. Facilitated by Elisabeth Moss www.elisabethmoss.com To register online www.spiritlifectr.org/expressiveart Held at Spiritual Life Center 303 Tunxis Rd. W. Hartford.

Wednesday Women’s Visual Journaling Group. 6 Weeks. 5:30-8pm $210. Tap into your creative Voice to express and discover yourSelf from within. Using sketchbook journals and multimedia art materials,we will engage in

an ongoing visual conversation. Connect with your intuitive voice and open a doorway to your well of meaning and aliveness. Facilitated by Elisabeth Moss. 12 Old farms Rd. Avon, Ct 06001 to register call 860550-0882. No prior art experience needed. www.elisabethmoss.com. Take Your Life to the Next Level! Attend a FREE Wednesday evening seminar to learn more about HFI’s Professional Training, Master’s Degree and Human Relations programs. For more info, call 860-236-6009 or visit HartfordFamilyInstitute.com. Hartford Family Institute, 17 South Highland Street, West Hartford.

Thursday Detox With Dr. Dave. Every Thursday 6pm. Come join us for discussion on the importance of cleanses, facts on nutrition and supplementation and support for weight loss. No fee; no registration; just drop in! for those who attend and commit to a 14 or 28 day plan, we offer 20% off the detox kit. Osteopathic Wellness Center, 158 Danbury Road, Suite 6, Ridgefield, CT 06877. 203438-9915.

Friday Ellington Winter Farmers’ Market Fridays 4-6pm at the YMCA, 11 Pinney St. Ellington CT. Nov. 8th and 22nd, Dec. 6th and 20th Jan. 10th and 24th, Feb 7th and 14th, March 7 and 14th. Local and fresh produce, seafood, beef, pork, chicken, dairy, baked goods, gluten free baked goods, honey, maple products, alpaca products, soaps, specialty foods, and artisan wares. www.ellingtonfarmersmarket.com.

CLASSIFIED Space for Rent: Perfect space for salon, holistic health center or other alternative medical clinic available immediately. 1375 sq. ft. above long established coffee house in ideal location in Avon by Rt. 44/10. Call Dick Portfolio at 860-676-2661. Beautiful office space for rent in Hartford Family Institute’s Center for Psychotherapy and Healing Arts located in West Hartford, CT. Practice in supportive community of holistic healing professionals. Call 860-2366009 or email info@hartfordfamilyinstitute. com.

ACUPUNCTURE

Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac. Menla Holistic Health, 35 Nod Road, Ste. 106 Avon, CT • (860) 836-1068. Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 19, 29. Sophia Natural Health Center Kenneth Hoffman, L.Ac., CCH 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804. (203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com See ad on page 17.

CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury 2934 Main St.,Glastonbury, CT 860-657-8800 • www.glastonburychiro.com Westside Chiropractic 557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833 • westsidechiropractors.com See ad on page 6.

ALLERGY TREATMENT

Wholistic Allergy Solutions 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 19, 29.

COLONICS

Lifeline Hygienics Colonics 914 921-Life (5433) 150 Theodore Friend Ave., Suite B15 Rye, NY 10580 Tovah@lifelinehygienics.com lifelinehygienics.Com

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 19, 29.

DENTISTRY

The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860)824-0751 • www.livingstonedental.com See ad on page 37. Dr. Steven Hinchey 2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 12.

HEALTH FOOD STORES

Parkade Health Shoppe Manchester Parkade, 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT • 860.646.8178 M-Sat 8am-9pm • Sun 9am-6pm See ad on page 11.

HOLISTIC CENTERS

Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy 963 Queen Street, Suite C Southington, CT 06489 • (860) 276-5843 www.centerforholisticpractices.com

HYPNOSIS

Diane Bahr-Groth, C. Hy., TFT, Dir. 1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT. (203)595-0110 • mindbodytransformation.com See ad on page 12. Mind Matters Hypnosis Center Lisa Zaccheo, MA, BCH, BCI Board Certified Hypnotist & Instructor 12 Waterside Court, Avon, CT 06001 (860)693-6448 • MindMatters@comcast.net www.mindmattershypnosis.com Michele P. Rousseau, MA, CH 267 William Street, Middletown, CT 06457 860-704-9054 • mprousseau@sbcglobal.net www.micheleprousseau.com

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE New England Integrative Health Associates, LLC (NEIHA) 345 North Main Street, Bishop’s Corner West Hartford, CT 06117 Ph. 860.278.3812 • Fax: 860.525.6054 Email: info@neihact.com

LIFE COACH

PEAK Results Coaching Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com See ad on page 12.

Partners In Spirit

Ellen Gilhooly 22 Maple Ave Windsor, CT 06095 (860)490-2027 • http://www.partnersinspirit.com

LIFE COACH

Balanced Living Now Kristen Werblow, M.A., CPC 36 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT 06037 (860)707-0908 • kristen@balancedlivingnow.com www.balancedlivingnow.com See ad on page 27.

RESOURCES LIFE COACH

CMW Enterprises Certified Life-training for the chronically ill and disabled. Double kidney-failure survivor Charles Wachtel Newington,CT 06111 • (860) 794-9516 www.cmwenterprises.net E-mail: cwachtel@tmo.blackberry.net

MASSAGE

All About You Massage Therapy, LLC Cindy Strickland, LMT 396 Lewis Hill Road, Coventry, CT 06238 www.allaboutyoumassagetherapy.net (860)742-5285 • (860)573-6526 CT Lic#006649. Member: AMTA & NCBTMB

HeartLight Therapeutic Massage

Dru Knight BS, LMT, NCTMB Certified Orthopedic Massage Therapist Member AMTA • CT LIC # 004829 21 Bread and Milk St., Coventry, CT. 06238 (860) 993-5873 • www.heartlightmassage.com Wholistic Spa 18 School Street, Glastonbury, CT. 06033 860-657-4105 • www.wholisticspa.com See ad on page 19, 29. WellnessWisdom MindBody & CS Therapeutic Massage Therapeutic Bodywork, Massage & Holistic Wellness Suzanne Antal-Proietti, LMT, Certified Coach, 203-434-4209 • wellnesswisdomctmassage.com Candida Sternberg, LMT. 203-690-2977 cstherapeuticmassagect.com 147 East Avenue, 1st Floor, Norwalk, CT 06850

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CT Natural Health Specialists Lauren Gouin, ND, Ashley Burkman, ND 315 E. Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com See ad on page 33. Debra Gibson, ND 100 Danbury Road, Ste. 102 Ridgefield, CT 06877 • (203)431-4443 See ad on page 7. Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 19, 29. Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 • drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com See ad on page 9.

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RESOURCES NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE Naturopathic & Acupuncture Health Center Dr. Marie Mammone, ND Dr. Renee Mammone, ND John Mammone, Licensed Acupuncturist 274 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield, CT 06109 (860)529-1200 • www.NAHcenter.com William Nager, ND, DC 11 Mountain Ave., Ste. 201, Bloomfield, CT, 06002 (860) 242-8277 • www.drbillnager.com The Wellness Institute Marvin Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT (203) 847-2788 See ad on page 5. West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine Frank Aieta, ND 301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com See ad on page 37. ProNatural Physicians Group LLC 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037 • 860-505-0702 www.ProNaturalPhysicians.com ProNatural Members Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037 P: 860-829-0707 • F: 860-829-0606 E: draresco@comcast.net • See ad on page 14. Dr. Rick Cooper 258 Main Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 P: 203-229-0164 E: contact@rickcoopernd.com Dr. Marcos de Escobar 171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 101 Waterbury, CT 06708 P: 203-757-9336 • E: cosnd1@gmail.com Dr. Summer McAllister 71 East Avenue, Suite D, Norwalk, CT 06851 P: 877-437-3537 • F: 917-456-0362 E: drsummermcallister@gmail.com Dr. Jonathan Ritz 37 West Town Road Lebanon, CT 06249 • P: 860-281-7489 E: drjon@drjonritz.com

NUTRITION

Holcare Nutrition Vicki Kobliner MS RD 3 Hollyhock Lane, Suite 2A, Wilton, CT 06897 203-834-9949 • www.holcarenutrition.com See ads on page 17.

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Natural Nutmeg Nutmeg December December 2013 2013 Natural

NUTRITION

Thyme & Season Natural Foods Certified Nutrition Counselor Linda Myers, Complimentary consultations in store. Mon – Fri 9 - 5. 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden Email: Supplements.Thyme@gmail.com. www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com

PHYSICIANS, M.D.

Natural Health & Healing, LLC Deanna M. Cherrone, MD 61 S. Main St, Ste 210, West Hartford, CT (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net See ad on back cover.

PHYSICIANS, M.D.

Tamara Sachs, MD Functional Medicine & Integrative Care 15 Bennitt St., New Milford, CT (860) 354-3304 • www.tsachsmd.intranets.com

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSCIAN

Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC David L. Johnston, DO • Lisa Preston, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-9915 • www.osteopathicwellness.net See ad on page 25.

SHAMANIC HEALING

Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy 963 Queen Street Suite C, Southington, CT 06489 860-276-5843 www.centerforholisticpractices.com

SKINCARE

Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon. (860)284-9730 • www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net See ad on page 31.

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING®

Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Institute Find SE® Practitioner: www.traumahealing.com SE® Training: (303) 652-4035 www.traumahealing.com 2013 Connecticut SE® Training: ctsetraining@ gmail.com

SPA/FLOATATION SERVICES

iFloat 163 Main Street. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: 203-26-7378 Website: ifloatspa.net • Email:info@ifloatspa.net

PSYCHOTHERAPY

THERMOGRAPHY

Inner Change Holistic Counseling Deni Weber, MA, LPC, DCEP Weston, CT. • 203-544-6094 DeniWeber.com

Sophia Natural Health Center 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804. (203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com See ad on page 17.

Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy 963 Queen Street Suite C, Southington, CT 06489 860-276-5843 www.centerforholisticpractices.com

X to Rays, LLC Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 866.986.7297 or 203.331.2878 www.xtorays.com • See ad on page 19.

RELATIONSHIP COACH

PEAK Results Coaching Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME • Relationship Coach 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com See ad on page 12.

SCHOOLS

Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies LauraMignosa, NCCH 912 Corbin Ave, New Britain, CT 06052 (860) TCM-2705 • www.ctherbschool.com. See ad on page 34. The Graduate Institute Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions & Recruitment. (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu

YOGA / PILATES CENTERS Sacred Rivers Yoga Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT, Owner 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Sacred Movement Yoga 10 Simsbury Road (Bishop’s Corner) West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 860.990.2555 • www.mysacredmovement.com. Visit our Facebook page! West Hartford Yoga 23 Brook Street, West Hartford, CT 06110 PH: 860.953.9642 www.westhartfordyoga.com info@westhartfordyoga.com www.westhartfordyoga.com Offering 70 weekly classes • See ad on page 2.

Natural Nutmeg Connecticut’s Resource for Essential Living “Our mission is is to to provide provide valuable valuable “Our mission insight, information and and resources resources that that insight, information will allow readers readers to to maintain maintain will allow a healthy, active, active, sustainable sustainable lifstyle.” lifstyle.” a healthy, CHECK US OUT!!! the NEW NaturalNutmeg.com. Look for expanded content on: Follow us on Twitter @NaturalNutmeg “Like” our fan page on Facebook at “Natural Nutmeg Magazine” Follow us on Pinterest at “Natural Nutmeg Magazine”

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Deanna Cherrone, M.D.

Board certified Internal Medicine Functional Medicine practitioner

“Do you believe you should feel better than you do?” I help restore balance so that you can look, feel and function your best. Areas of Focus: • Adrenal Fatigue • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Bone Loss • Detoxiﬁcation • Food Sensitivities • Heavy Metal Testing & Oral Chelation • Leaky gut • Menopause & Andropause • Mind Body Medicine

Many of my patients are simply looking for someone who will listen.

Functional Medicine explores the root cause symptoms: Fatigue • Brain Fog • Sugar Cravings • Headaches • Depression • Stress & Anxiety • Decreased Libido • Aches & Pains • Decreased Stamina • Constipation • Allergies • Inability to Lose Weight • Insomnia Dr. Cherrone, founder of Natural Health & Healing, provides Functional Medicine with emphasis on patient education and self care for optimal health.

CALL DR. CHERRONE TODAY AT (860) 677-4600

• Neurotransmitter Testing • Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling • Thyroid • Weight Loss

61 S. Main St., West Hartford, CT • www.naturalhealthandhealing.net 44

Natural Nutmeg December 2013