embracinghealthradio's podcast

Join Ricardo Boye, naturopath and nutritionist, for weekly discussions on emerging health trends from a systems biology, holistic perspective.

Current Thyroid Controversies....Is Levothyroxine Right For You? 05/22/2017

Are Butter, Cheese, and Steak Bad For You? The Dubious Science Behind the Anti-Fat Crusade 05/21/2017

Allergies, Part 2 - Endotoxin and the Gut 04/21/2017

Allergies, Part 2 - Endotoxin and the Gut Allergies – what is it? How do you define it? How does your body interpret a stressor? How do you interpret a new situation? Think like PTSD, you have an initial trauma, and now you are hardwired to interpret future similar events with great reaction. So, what I’m saying is that between the stimulus and you, lies something in between, something that shapes, conditions, alters your final reaction to the stimulus. We don’t all respond in the same way, right? Why? Well, you have to think about that, you have to think about the fact that you are having a problem where other people aren’t. It gets more difficult when many people are having a problem, as then in a more cultural, societal way, it becomes normal. This is how oftentimes, diseases become commonplace and nobody gets alarmed when the next diagnosis comes. A recent study is highlighting the fact that stroke rates appear to be rising in young adults. So, what’s normal? Are allergies, seasonal ones, ‘normal’? What’s the extreme version of allergies? Autoimmune disease, right? And to make matters more confusing, the deterministic idea that genetics is a cause for all these things with very fancy and technical explanations, leaves no room for thinking about these problems in any other way, where perhaps these immune conditions have to do with the overall health of the individual. Health equation….remember? This is why I bring up things like the equation and then the inflammation set point idea, as then our brains can start thinking about other ways of improving our health and conjuring up new, more creative solutions to these problems. Inflammation set point ---- then go into the gut as a primary contributor to the set point. Definition of allergy plural allergies 1 : altered bodily reactivity (such as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure a bee venom allergy so severe that a second sting may be fatal 2 : exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual 3 : medical practice concerned with 4 : a feeling of antipathy or aversion /episode/index/show/embracinghealthradio/id/5287640

Allergies and the Naturopathic Perspective 04/21/2017

Allergies and the Naturopathic Perspective Today, we are going to look at allergies, its many manifestations, what they communicate in essence, and what we all can do to minimize their impact on our well-being. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of health care - an art, science, and philosophy of health that has at its root, a more holistic perspective of the body, encompassing the whole of the individual. Consistent with systems biology thinking, the whole is greater than the sum of its. Parts. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances. Methods used are consistent with these principles and are chosen upon the basis of the unique needs of the individual. Naturopathic physicians are trained as primary health care physicians whose diverse techniques include modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods. The following principles are the foundation for the practice of naturopathic medicine: Introduction to Allergies – setpoint theory Inflammation setpoint Allergies: sensitization to the environment; exaggerated immune response immune system’s job is to fight infection and to clean up debris from damage Symptoms – irritation, think of it as a chronic irritation Irritable skin Irritable bowel Irritable nose Irritable throat Irritable eyes Irritable lungs Irritable psyche? This means that tolerance has been breached Think about when you haven’t slept well for a few days, what does that do to your emotional set-point? Steps to improve allergies: Fundamental health equation – you + your environment = your state of health Let’s look at your environment Hygiene hypothesis The “YOU”: Concept – inflammation set point #1 dietary strategy – you guessed it – avoid PUFAs omega 6 Role of prostaglandins First, look at any other sign of allergy you may have present Look at skin health – if rashes, if eczema, look to resolve that Improve digestive health Watch for diet and digestive symptoms Diet Role of endotoxin – LPS Foods that increase gut permeability Additives in food that increase gut permeability Examples: Carrageenan Toxins in foods – aflatoxin (fungal toxin) Pesticides Heavy metals The focus on simple foods Food preparation – cooked, easily digestible Role of histamine Elimination/provocation Improve liver health Cholegogues – herbs that move bile Dandelion root, turmeric, milk thistle, black radish, rosemary, schizandra Foods – bitter herbs/greens/ - well cooked lemon water in the am, with honey improve lymphatic health lymph drains metabolic waste of organs lymph transports fats – chylomicrons – need to decongest signs of edema? Fluid retention – excessive? Kidney helps drains lymph – energy/meridians Liver also helps drain lymph Analogy of a gutter, leaves bunched on the bottom Increases the load, toxic burden General nasal / sinus hygiene Neti pot Xlear – xylitol Histamine modulators Herbs – quercetin, nettle, bromelain, vitamin C Role of histamine Bigger context, tied with estrogen Estrogen causes the cell/tissue to take up water Of course, gut is large source of potential histamine production Total load concept Infections; Increases the set point Examples of a gut pathogen – remove pathogen, then allergies decreased Lead in air, food, water smog /episode/index/show/embracinghealthradio/id/5287624

Stress and the General Adaptation Syndrome 03/28/2017

Stress and the General Adaptation Syndrome “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Viktor Frankl We continue our fascinating exploration on diabetes in a much larger context, taking into account the very big and real problem to all of us – hypoglycemia and low blood sugar. In diabetes, this happens for years before the system wears down, and periods of low blood sugar set events in motion which contribute to all chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, hormonal imbalances like autoimmune hashimoto’s, adrenal insufficiencies, low testosterone, miscarriages, fertility problems, allergies, and much more. Stay tuned folks, and stay right here on EHR! What are the signs your body is giving you? Can you learn to interpret the body’s language and respond accordingly? This is the difference between healthy adaptation to stress and mal-adaptation to stress. What’s the difference between the two? In the first, some situation appears that irritates or injures the body and your body responds in a way that further damage is minimized. This depends a lot on the nature of the insult, and the reserves your body has to meet that insult. Remember the fundamental health equation here You + Your Environment = Your State of Health/Your ability to respond to stress General Adaptation Syndrome Definition General adaptation syndrome, or GAS, is a term used to describe the body's short-term and long-term reactions to . Stressors in humans include such physical stressors as , being hit by a car, or suffering through severe weather. Additionally, humans can suffer such emotional or mental stressors as the loss of a loved one, the inability to solve a problem, or even having a difficult day at work. Description Originally described by Hans Selye (1907–1982), an Austrian-born physician who emigrated to Canada in 1939, the general adaptation syndrome represents a three-stage reaction to stress. Selye explained his choice of terminology as follows: "I call this syndrome general because it is produced only by agents which have a general effect upon large portions of the body. I call it adaptive because it stimulates defense…. I call it a syndrome because its individual manifestations are coordinated and even partly dependent upon each other." Selye thought that the general adaptation syndrome involved two major systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine (or hormonal) system. He then went on to outline what he considered as three distinctive stages in the syndrome's evolution. He called these stages the alarm reaction (AR), the stage of resistance (SR), and the stage of exhaustion (SE).  He explained about hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) system which prepares the body to cope with stress.  Selye also explained about a local adaptation syndrome which refers to the inflammatory response and repair processes occur at the local site of tissue injury as in small, topical injuries, such as contact dermatitis which may lead to GAS if the local injury is severe enough. Stage 1: alarm reaction (ar) The first stage of the general adaptation stage, the alarm reaction, is the immediate reaction to a stressor. In the initial phase of stress, humans exhibit a "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for physical activity. However, this initial response can also decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, making persons more susceptible to illness during this phase. Upon encountering a stressor, body reacts with “fight-or-flight” response and sympathetic nervous system is activated. Hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin released into the bloodstream to meet the threat or danger. The body’s resources now mobilized. Stage 2: stage of resistance (sr) Stage 2 might also be named the stage of adaptation, instead of the stage of resistance. During this phase, if the stress continues, the body adapts to the stressors it is exposed to. Changes at many levels take place in order to reduce the effect of the stressor. For example, if the stressor is starvation (possibly due to anorexia), the person might experienced a reduced desire for physical activity to conserve energy, and the absorption of nutrients from food might be maximized. Parasympathetic nervous system returns many physiological functions to normal levels while body focuses resources against the stressor. Blood glucose levels remain high, cortisol and adrenalin continue to circulate at elevated levels, but outward appearance of organism seems normal. Increase HR, BP, breathing Body remains on red alert. Stage 3: stage of exhaustion (se) At this stage, the stress has continued for some time. The body's resistance to the stress may gradually be reduced, or may collapse quickly. Generally, this means the immune system, and the body's ability to resist disease, may be almost totally eliminated. Patients who experience long-term stress may succumb to heart attacks or severe infection due to their reduced immunity. For example, a person with a stressful job may experience long-term stress that might lead to high blood pressure and an eventual . If stressor continues beyond body’s capacity, organism exhausts resources and becomes susceptible to disease and death. Selye himself recommended an approach to stress that he described as "living wisely in accordance with natural laws." In his now-classic book The Stress of Life (1956), he discussed the following as important dimensions of living wisely: Adopting an attitude of gratitude toward life rather than seeking revenge for injuries or slights. Acting toward others from altruistic rather than self-centered motives. Retaining a capacity for wonder and delight in the genuinely good and beautiful things in life. Finding a purpose for one's life and expressing one's individuality in fulfilling that purpose. Keeping a healthy sense of modesty about one's goals or achievements. /episode/index/show/embracinghealthradio/id/5212669

Hypoglycemia: the overlooked and misunderstood phenomenon in promoting chronic disease 03/28/2017

Hypoglycemia: the overlooked and misunderstood phenomenon in promoting chronic disease Today, we are going to explore some more ideas and concepts relative to diabetes. After all, we’ve figured it out, right? I mean, diabetes is chronically elevated blood sugar, and that’s bad, right? We have documented the effects of this chronic high blood sugar – the retinal damage to the eyes, the damage to the kidneys that happens in diabetes – leading towards dialysis dependence, the tendency towards gout, the diabetic ulcers that happen as a result of insufficient blood flow due to capillary damage of glycosylation- whereby sugar damages the various proteins in your body, and in terms of blood vessels, then that impairs blood flow. This can lead to amputations and all sorts of damage to the body. So, obviously this must mean that sugar is bad for you, that carbohydrates are bad, that it’s only when you eat carbs you see your blood sugar go up to super high levels – it’s so obvious - and all the health professionals who state that you should eat according to the food pyramid must be bought out by the large food conglomerates who are just pushing carbs onto the public because there’s some sort of conspiracy designed to make us sick and then force us to use their diabetes drugs……wow, there’s a lot to unpack there! All of this talk about high blood sugar overlooks perhaps the more damaging effects of something happening more or less subtly in all of us, for years at a time ---- low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Well, I want you to sit back and allow me to explore this phenomenon with you and see if I can paint a coherent picture about low blood sugar, how it is likely affecting you EVERY SINGLE DAY, and then of course what you can do about it. Let me first start by adding a bit more color to last week’s show about toxins in our environment. We talked a lot about the role of pesticides, and how that contributes greatly to your health and how you can see all this through the fundamental health equation I painted out for you. YOU + YOUR ENVIRONMENT = YOUR STATE OF HEALTH References: Cellphone Radiation Exposure Fact Sheet Draft Released By California Health Officials read: Hypoglycemia an 'Underutilized' Risk Factor for CVD, Death Hypoglycemia a Greater Threat Than Hyperglycemia in Elderly Let’s discuss all of this from a whole body, systems point of view --- looking at the big picture, what the science has to say about the cause: Example of how this relates to neurodegenerative disease: Glucose deprivation in the brain sets stage for Alzheimer's disease, Temple study shows /episode/index/show/embracinghealthradio/id/5212619

Pesticides and the Gross Impact of Environmental Toxins 03/28/2017

Digestive health: GERD, SIBO, IBS/IBD, gallbladder dysfunction, and what you can do about it 03/28/2017

Dietary Fats and Inflammation 03/28/2017

Diabetes In Context 03/21/2017

Systems biology, iron and alzheimer's, age pigment in aging and stress 03/05/2017

Food as Medicine, Food as a Drug 03/05/2017

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