Category Archives: Acupuncture

Lead in Water — Still a danger

Lead in water? Still a danger in the U.S.

You might think that your water is safe. Well, as we have been saying for the past 30 years, you have to filter your lead in waterwater at the tap, preferably with a Multipure filter (order one at www.multipureusa.com/redwoodclinic). That is because there is lots of stuff in your water that is not good for your health. That includes heavy metals such as lead. It can come from solder. It can come from medications. It can come from industrial sources. It can come from airborne lead that falls into the water treatment plants.

The reality of lead in water came home to roost in Flint, Michigan. According to an alert from MOVE-ON, this is the story.

“In April 2014, state officials switched the source of Flint’s drinking water to the Flint River to save money.

Almost immediately after the switch, residents noticed changes in the smell, color, and taste of the water coming out of their taps. Tests showed high levels of bacteria that forced the city to issue advisories calling for residents to boil their tap water.2

Michigan Gov. Snyder and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality were aware of the high levels of lead in Flint’s drinking water for months, but they kept telling residents that the water was safe to drink.3  Lead poisoning is incredibly serious, especially to children, causing lower IQs, long-term learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.4

Last October, Flint’s drinking water source was finally switched back to the same source as Detroit. But Flint’s pipes are now permanently damaged and continue to leach lead into Flint’s drinking water.

Only when the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into how Michigan has handled the crisis in Flint did Gov. Snyder finally issue a state of emergency.”

If it can happen in Flint, it can happen anywhere. Even in your town. And the only control you have is at your tap.
And lead is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you know of someone in Flint please have them read this post and have, or help them, buy a Multipure water filtration system.

Lead in Water Treatment

Susan B. Koemen Donation Version of System

1. “Michigan Knew Last Year That Flint’s Water Might Be Poisoned But Decided Not to Tell Anyone,” Slate, January 11, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/694?t=6&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

2. “Michigan’s Failure to Protect Flint,” The New York Times, January 15, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/693?t=8&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

3. “Michigan Knew Last Year That Flint’s Water Might Be Poisoned But Decided Not to Tell Anyone,” Slate, January 11, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/694?t=10&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

4. “Generation of Flint kids with lead in blood may not see effects for years,” MLive, January 14, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/695?t=12&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

Detoxification

Detoxification – Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall

Now in the northern hemisphere we are in winter. The time of hibernation.  The time when the nights are longer, the days are shorter (although now, January 7, the days are getting longer).  The time when the body is supposed to be conserving its reserves of energy.

On the other hand, the need for warmth drives people to gather, often with pot-lucks, gourmet buffet eatfests, and holiday gatherings over food and wine.  And there are the Super Bowl bashes with lots of junk food and alcohol.  So, unlike the bears, we humans are in high activity mode and adding to the toxic burdens in our bodies. To be more in line with Nature, instead we should be resting and not adding more toxicity (unless we are beavers).  So, NOW is the time to help our hibernating bodies with detoxification support.  Learn more in this video, and then call the office to start your 10 or 21-day detoxification that will make you feel so much better to start the New Year right.

This process of detoxification is also encouraged as a part of healthy brain support in my Dr. Jay’s two bestselling books, available online at the following locations:

Super Brain: Maximize Your Brain Health for a Better Life

Detoxification and Brain Care

Dr. Jay on Chicago TV

https://www.createspace.com/5585723
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TFOP926
Outsmarting the Dementia Epidemic: 7 Key Memory Care Actions to Avoid Alzheimer’s and Successfully Keep Your Brain Safe, Smart, and Sexy into the Future
https://www.createspace.com/5585869
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TFS5PBC

Further Information on Detoxification

Learn more about how and why detoxification from this video Dr. Jay created on our website.
 

 

“In Defense of Food” – Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan “In defense of Food”

Michael Pollan (#MichaelPollan) has recently come out with a new documentary movie and a new book called “In defense of Food.” (#InDefenseofFood) The documentary movie will be coming out locally at 9:00 PM Wednesday, December 30 on KQED. A long review article was written by David Weigand In the San Francisco Chronicle Monday, December 28, 2015,  It is a review of the basic concepts inmichael pollan the book and an outline of the movie apparently.  As a big fan of Michael Pollan’s books, I enjoyed the article and the basic premise that Pollan “simply makes a case for eating right,” “eating food” — and not something that is manufactured.

The article has a brief overview of the different trends and
official recommendations since the fifties regarding proper nutrition. These recommendations are related to the mass production of consumables by the food manufacturing industry. There is a review of no- and low-fat diets, the injection of vitamins into manufactured foods, the creation of trans fatty acids, and the massive amounts of sugar and salt in processed foods.
The bottom line suggestions in the article are “eat only foods that will eventually rot. Avoid foods advertised on television. Eat food that has been cooked by humans. If it’s made from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t….There is no single food whose consumption or avoidance will answer our dietary prayers.”

To the degree that this article or Michael Pollan’s book goes, these are certainly good ideas and advice. But they don’t go far enough. It is naïve to say that that simply eating foods will correct the imbalances that our bodies currently have. The proliferation of toxins in the environment —

Pouring Mercury

Pouring Mercury

and consequently in our bodies, cannot be addressed simply by eating “food.” To address health issues it is necessary that each person have a carefully performed, individualized evaluation of functional capacities. Then there must be creation of a targeted remediation program that includes: detoxification, repair, and then replacement to address the years of exposure to processed foods and environmental chemicals.

chemical toxins in environmentThe nutritional deficits that lead to damaged tissue structures, like in the intestine, must be corrected along with other deficits, and just eating food, even if it is all strictly organic, is not enough for most people. The damage is too extensive to fix without intensive action.
This is where the experience of clinicians such as Dr. Jay Sordean come into the picture. Looking at the big picture as well as the details, taking into account traumas, toxicity, stress and structural issues – all of which play a role in the breakdown and positive repair of the body, mind, emotions and spirit.  This functional diagnostic medicine approach is lacking in your hospitals and most clinics.  Its absence is a reason why chronic illness and epidemics (diabetes, ADHD, autism, dementia, obesity, to name a few major ones) are prevalent in America today.  Dr. Jay’s series on issues such as functional causes of obesity and on female hormone imbalances are worth watching to understand why “just food” isn’t enough.  Time to call for an appointment 510-849-1176
#MichaelPollan

NSDJ5 Interview with Shirley McElhattan

Interview of Shirley McElhattan by Dr. Jay Sordean related to her services and experiences in the senior placement consultation industry. Shirley has been working in that capacity for 20+ years in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also has personal experience helping to care for a family member with Alzheimer’s.  Http://www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com

Contact Shirley at  http://www.stpaulstowers-esc.org

Dr. Jay interviewed Shirley for background for his two bestselling books. To order either of the bestselling books by Dr. Jay Sordean, go to:http://www.OutsmartingDementia.com and  http://www.SuperBrain-TheBook.com
For information about brain evaluation and treatments, go tohttp://www.TheRedwoodClinic.com/chapel
To learn more about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and how to boost your brain power, go to http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/alzheimers-dementia-prevention/

Go to Natural Solutions with Dr. Jay and sign up for the podcast.

Or go directly to the interview by Clicking here.

http://www.naturalsolutionswithdrjay.com/?powerpress_pinw=47-podcast

NSDJ3 Interview with Kewesi Simon

Interview by Dr. Jay Sordean with Kewesi Simon, Mixed Martial Arts Teacher in Oakland, California August 2014. Part of a series of interviews for Dr. Jay’s books on the brain.  In this episode we learn about the need to strengthen the neck to reduce traumatic injury to the brain in sports such as martial arts and football, such as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).  Listen to this fascinating interview in the workout hall of the Martial Arts Gym of Kewesi Simon in Oakland, California. This interview was part of Dr. Jay’s research for his books in August 2014. http://www.OutsmartingDementia.com   and  http://www.SuperBrain-TheBook.com

For information about brain evaluation and treatments, go tohttp://www.TheRedwoodClinic.com/chapel

To learn more about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and how to boost your brain power, go to http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/alzheimers-dementia-prevention/

Go to Natural Solutions with Dr. Jay and sign up for the podcast.

Or go directly to the interview by Clicking here.

NSDJ2 Interview with Austin Hill Shaw

Interview by Dr. Jay Sordean.  Austin Hill Shaw discusses the nature of creativity and how to keep the brain as active as possible. Austin Hill Shaw, a Creativity Guru, explores concepts of creativity and how that process reinforces brain activity. Interview was done in Berkeley California at Hs Lordships restaurant as part of Dr. Jay’s research for his books in August 2014. http://www.OutsmartingDementia.com   and   http://www.SuperBrain-TheBook.com

For information about brain evaluation and treatments, go tohttp://www.TheRedwoodClinic.com/chapel

To learn more about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and how to boost your brain power, go to http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/alzheimers-dementia-prevention/

For information about Austin Hill Shaw go to http://www.austinhillshaw.com

 

Go to Natural Solutions with Dr. Jay and sign up for the podcast.

Or go directly to the interview by Clicking here.

NSDJ1 Interview with Dr. Byron Fong

Dr. Jay Sordean interviews Dr. Byron Fong, LAc, DOM about treating patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other brain issues with Traditional Chinese Medicine.  How often should people be treated to maintain their health. What can we do to help our children maximize their brain health.

Lunchtime interview in Berkeley, California between two professional colleagues (Dr. Jay and Dr. Fong) each with more than 30 years clinical experience in natural medicine, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and functional medicine. So please forgive the sound of plates, the cars running by on the street, and chewing!

Go to Natural Solutions with Dr. Jay and sign up for the podcast.

Or go directly to the interview by Clicking here.

Water Pollution: Olympic Water Badly Polluted in Brazil

Water Pollution and the water you play in and drink

When you start to think that your water sources are safe, think again. Especially if you are competing in water sports in Rio de Janeiro Brazil during the Olympics. An Associated Press article published in the SF Chronicle Thursday December 3, 2015 details the presence of “disease-causing viruses directly linked to human sewage at levels up to 1.7 million (THAT’S MILLION) times what would be considered highly alarming in the US or Europe.” Olympic competitors in trials this year became infected with things like MRSA, a flesh-eating bacteria, shortly after the trials in August.

Bacterial and viral toxins now have to be considered, along with chemical and heavy metal toxins, in all health considerations related to disease as well as optimizing health. If you are travelling be very aware of your environment.

Marc Zuckerberg recently wrote a letter to his daughter MAX about how he wants the future of health to be incredible, with no more disease, for MAX and all of the people she will live with. The lack of mention of things like environmental pollution and chemical toxins in his letter hopefully does not suggest that he thinks that these are insignificant.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/science/article/New-AP-test-Rio-s-Olympic-water-consistently-6669662.php

#ChanZuckerbergInitiative #MarkZuckerberg #MRSA #PriscillaChan #Olympics

Is this

Bioimpedence Analysis (BIA): What the heck?

Bioimpedence Analysis (BIA) – What is it anyway??

Bioimpedance Analysis is an accurate and quick test that gives us objective information we then use when designing & monitoring your individualized health programs (weight loss or weight gain, detoxification, immune challenges, etc).

How does it work? Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is the assessment of body composition using electrical tissue conductivity. It simply involves placing two adhesive electrodes on the hand and wrist, and two on the ankle and foot. The computer then runs a very small current through the body for 10 seconds while the patient is lying down. It’s non-invasive and comfortable. Results are printed instantly.

Health and well-being are closely tied to the health of the body’s fat-free mass and body cell mass compartments. By focusing attention on these mass compartments, therapeutic strategies are more effective because results can be measured objectively.

Bioimpedance Analysis Machines

The Biomarkers 2000 device, a bioimpedance analyzer, provides a direct readout of the impedance of the human body, and estimates of fat mass, fat-free mass (lean body mass), body cell mass, extracellular mass, total body water, intracellular water and extracellular water.
Applications: • Acute/Chronic Disease • Geriatrics • Obesity/Weight Loss Program • Lifestyle Assessment • Eating Disorders • Athletic Performance

How accurate is the test compared to other tests of this type? The BIA test is extremely accurate when performed properly. The current ‘gold standard’ for body fat testing only is still the hydrostatic method (getting dunked under the water), with an error margin of around .5 to 1 ½ %, whereas the BIA error margin is around 1 to 2 ½ %. However, the BIA accurately measures crucial data – including intracellular water (a good health indicator), extracellular water (a good toxin indicator) and phase angle (good indicator of cell health and fatty acid balance) – which the hydrostatic method does not. Also, the BIA is more convenient…you don’t need to get wet!

SUMMARY and VALIDITY: We have performed hundreds of these tests and have found that the results have been reliable to base our programs for detoxification, improving function, losing weight safely with respect to body composition, and monitoring improvements in overall function in combination with our other methods.

Bioimpedance Analysis References

References Ott M, et al. Bioelectrical impedance analysis as a predictor of survival in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Journal of Acquired Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology, 1995; 9:20-25. Guo SS, et al. Aging, body composition, and lifestyle: the Fels Longitudinal Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999; 70:405-11. Position of the American Dietetic Association. Nutrition intervention in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Journal of American Dietetic Association, 2001; 101:801-819. Blackburn GL. Managing obesity in America: An Overview. Advanced Studies in Medicine, 2002; 2(2):40-49. Lee CD, et al. US weight guidelines: Is it also important to consider cardiorespiratory fitness? Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 1998 Aug; 22 Supplement 2:52-7. Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dieticians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 2000; 100:1543-1556.

Muscle Pain

Muscle Pain and How to Manage it (MusclePain)

Are you suffering from muscle pain?  You are not alone.  Everyone suffers from muscle pain at some time in their life.  However, if it is persistent for no clear reason, you need to find out the underlying cause.

How is that done?  By asking you questions, like “FibromyalgiaHow long have you suffered and where is the pain?  What is the quality of the muscle  pain (sharp, aching, dull, stabbing, crawling, knife-like stabbing)?  Is the pain in the muscles of  your
neck or lower back? Your shoulder, elbow, forearm, thigh, calf?  In your hip, knee, lower back, middle back, ankles, foot? ”  Wriite down your answers about your muscle pain  on a piece of paper right now as that will help us better understand why it is occurring.

Have you been to other doctors who gave you a muscle pain diagnosis?  Like strain, contusion, torn tendon, torn or ruptured  muscle, cramp, contraction, or wasting?   Write down what the diagnosis (or diagnoses, plural) are.  And are you taking medication, had surgery, or have used other methods to relieve the muscle pain with less than stellar reesults?  Write these down also.  Then call us +1-510-849-1176

When you have done this comprehensive self-survey, take a chance and give us a call at The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California to see if we might help.  Our courteous staff is eager to listen and see if there is a way we can ease your pain.  +1-510-849-1176