You could file this under “they (the most renowned medical journals) will publish anything.” But that would miss the point. (Note: this WAS published in the Christmas issue; an annual light-hearted look at health & medicine. Though studies in it ARE held to usual standards)

These researchers set out to upset the norm and they did.

The history: for over 20 years, medical journals & researchers have used the fact that there are no randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of this lifesaving device (the parachute) to justify not doing RCTs on a variety of (‘lifesaving;’ in their eyes) procedures and drugs.

But what these brilliant scientists set out to show is what happens when (1) scientists have preconceived notions of ‘truths’ and (2) results are taken out of context. Read the abstract HERE to see what I mean. Even a read of the full article, below it, doesn’t fully show what’s going on (not a minor point!).

So they got 2 groups of people together and randomized them; one group with parachute backpacks; one group with backpacks that looked & felt the same (the control) and had them jump from one of 2 planes! The results showed there was no statistically significant difference in injury rates and no one died! (Only one picture reveals the ‘how.’)

Interpretation:  (RESEARCHERS’ EDITORIAL HERE) My thoughts: (1) Preconceived truths & their limits: What we all accept as true that limits us. In medicine & health, this can be a procedure, a drug or the results of a test. For example, people use meds to control blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetes and think they are helping themselves. However, studies show that ‘well-controlled’ diabetics still go blind, lose toes and have kidney and heart problems at nearly the same rate as though who are not controlled! Our (and our doctor’s) preconceived notion that the drug and ‘normal’ test results it produces will make us healthy limits many people from being able to actually REVERSE their diabetes and actually get healthy. (This CAN happen in most people in as little as 10 days to 3 weeks. Get a basic intro to this and more in my upcoming Food Over Medicine Program or call me about private coaching.) This holds true of many things in medicine; from cardiac by-pass surgery to vaccines, from transplants to chemotherapy. I’m not saying that any of these things don’t work; just that our current paradigm makes it difficult for us (and our doctors and researchers) to ‘think outside the box’ & find better & healthier answers.

Interpretation: (2)Results taken out of context: Think; nearly every health headline you’ve ever seen. This is what causes confusion in medicine and especially in diet & nutrition. I went to Medscape.com (a site that summarizes current health research) and looked at the first nutrition article I found today: “Dairy Products Have a Mixed Effect on Mortality”   A closer look shows that this was data from the NHANES study which attempts to follow thousands of people longitudinally over a long period of time. Here’s the thing: numerous other studies of this same cohort have determined that most eat some version of the Standard American Diet (SAD) (high fat, high animal product) so the interpretation of this study likely only applies to people who eat the SAD diet. Numerous studies world-wide show that people on more plant-based diets with little or no dairy live longer. By taking this study out of context, we just add more confusion to our understanding of diet and lifestyle and how to live a good long healthy life.

So, where do you go from here? Learn to develop a discerning eye: What are the inherent limits of the study method & cohort (test subjects)? Are they looking at the big picture as well as the minute detail they’re trying to tease out? Does this apply to me or my family? If so, how? Don’t forget to ask who funded the study & what vested interest the researcher may have. Be aware that percentages are often  ‘relative’ instead of absolute: If a drug decreases the rate of heart attack from 1.0% to 0.5%, it can be called a 50% reduction! But the absolute reduction is only 0.5%.

Learn more about this and how to take better control of your health in my upcoming Food Over Medicine Program in March. Watch for upcoming announcements and details.

The post A Randomized Controlled Study of Parachutes; For Real! appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

All this Covid19 staying at home is wreaking so much havoc on us all.

It doesn’t matter WHO you are, it’s affecting everyone.

From the mid-life woman struggling with home-schooling kids to the kids themselves, we ALL need some help. (And let’s not forget your parents or grandparents for whom Covid19 and the inflammation caused by weight gain can be a fatal combination.)

And staying healthy has become so much more of a concern we can’t just ignore or back-burner during these times. 

Indeed, everything we learn suggests that decreasing weight and inflammation will help us fight a more serious case of Covid19 if we get it.

With that in mind, these ‘hacks’ will lead to a healthier, lighter, and less inflamed you, long-term.

1. Consume an abundance of Calorie-dilute fruits and vegetables. Raw or cooked whole fruits and veggies are the most nutritiously-dense foods in the world. We’re talking about almost every fruit or veggie with some rare exceptions (exceptions: olives, coconut, avocado, nuts & seeds.)
   
2. Don’t drink your calories: juice, soda, smoothies, energy drinks, and more. Americans consume hundreds of calories in drinks daily. Here’s the rub: the calories we drink are ALL considered excess. We don’t eat fewer calories because we are drinking them. Work to cut them out completely. In the meantime, reduce them as much as you can.
   
3. Eat more fluid-rich foods. In contrast to #2 above, eating fluid-rich foods like soups, stews, and cooked cereals or grains fills us up and keeps us full for longer. So, as long as it’s not a cream-based soup, it’s helpful.
   
4. Ditch the added oils. Oil contributes 270 Calories per ounce and no real nutritional value. You can saute without oil by heating the food a little more slowly and keeping it moving or by adding a few drops of water or veggie broth. And you can get all the healthy fat you need from naturally occurring fats in whole foods. That avocado or handful of nuts you likely consume daily is more than enough. You need not add fat.
   
5. Use pureed fruit or veggies with spices for salad dressing instead of oil-based dressings.

These simple little hacks can save you hundreds of calories per day.
That can translate to 10-50 lbs. over the course of a year.

Need more hacks like this?

Join me in the Empowered Wellness Membership Group. -A place to help you get past the pandemic doldrums and regain the vitality you feel you’ve lost.
With a support group, recipes, simple learning modules, inspirational texts, and more, we have all the support you need to drop the weight, get on an even keel, address a variety of health issues, and get your Mojo back, simply, effectively. Your first 14 days are free. No credit card required.

The post 5 Simple Hacks to Drop Weight and Decrease Inflammation: appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Now I know, I’m not supposed to make guarantees about your health. But here’s the thing: when you start fueling your body better, you’ll feel better and it will improve your health to some degree (though I can’t predict how much.)

A quick analogy: if you put cheap gas in a Maserati, it’s not going to perform as well as if you put the high octane premium stuff in, right? 

Your body is the same way.

The trick with your body is understanding what’s high octane and what’s garbage. Sometimes we can be misled.

But what IS high octane for the human body?

It’s not the rich stuff that makes up much of people’s diets today. It’s not the concentrated fat & protein in cheese. That’s high octane for a baby cow!

It’s not large amounts of animal food. You’re not REALLY a carnivore. Just look at your teeth compared to your dog’s or cat’s; the difference is obvious. That stuff is high octane for Rover but not you!

High octane for the human body is whole plant food. It’s the stuff our cells need to make all the healthy things to fuel our bodies. It’s the stuff our gut microbiome needs as well. Does that make sense?

I could pretty much end this blog with that and it would be complete, except that I wouldn’t have given you the 5 rules!

So here they are:

1. Always keep fresh and frozen fruit in the house.
You can use this in a variety of ways.

I like to use fresh fruit in my oatmeal in the mornings. In the summertime, I eat berries of all types; blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and more. In the wintertime, it might be apples or pears.

I eat fresh fruit with a cup of tea for dessert after dinner. It satisfies that urge for something sweet and keeps me away from chocolate, my nemesis.

I also eat fresh fruit for my afternoon pick-me-up instead of junk food or candy.

2. Increase your fiber intake.

What IS fiber anyway? Fiber is that part of plants that we don’t really digest well. And that is the beauty of fiber. It fills up our tummy and keeps it working so we are satiated with fewer calories. All plant foods contain fiber.

Fiber also feeds the good-guy bugs that make up your gut microbiota. Now I know you’re hearing more about the importance of your gut bugs lately because we’re learning more about them daily.

Basically plant foods help feed the healthy ones and animal foods and processed foods help feed the bad-guys. So you choose!

To get more fiber, just eat more plants! Plants at breakfast (cereal). Plants at lunch, plants at dinner (vegetables, beans, grains).

3. Put things together that you normally use together in advance to save time.

Here’s an example: I use ground flax seeds & chia seeds together for a couple of different things so I grind about ½ cup of each and put them together in a mason jar. Every couple of weeks, I need to grind more.

What do I use flax & chia for?

(i) I add them to my oatmeal for protein and omega-3s.

(ii) They can be used as an egg substitute in cooking and baking. Mix 1Tbsp. With 3 Tbsp, of water and let sit for about 5 minutes. Use as 1 egg.

(iii) I add them to smoothies to thicken and add nutritional value.

If you find yourself using the same things together all the time, mix them in a container & make it easier.

4. Use spices or fruit instead of sweeteners.

Some examples: I have a mix (see #3) of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom that I use in my oatmeal. I also use it in baked sweet potatoes and other places where I might want a little hint of sweet flavor.

You can use mashed up banana, applesauce or crushed pineapple in place of both sweetener and oil in baked goods. (I’ll publish some recipes soon.)

5. Don’t be afraid of whole-grain carbs.

Perfect example: I was talking to a potential new client yesterday. She mentioned that she didn’t eat avocado toast for lunch because of a concern about the calories in the toast. Two pieces of toast are about 180 Calories. Add the 1/4 avocado; probably 280 Calories total. Meanwhile, she had resisted getting herself a fast-food burger when she picked one up for her husband at his request. (Refusing to do that might also be a conversation!)That would have been closer to 600 calories.

Of course, better than that would have been a bowl of intact whole grain like quinoa, millet, or brown rice. It could have been made in advance and simply warmed up. Add some beans (whole canned beans are fine) and a ½ cup of frozen spinach. Throw it in the microwave and top it with some salsa and you have a hearty lunch for just a couple hundred calories with virtually no fat.

The point of any of this is NOT Calorie counting. It’s Calorie and nutritional AWARENESS.

Here’s what calorie awareness looks like:

A cup of most vegetables contains less than 50 Calories
A cup of most fruit is about 100 Calories
A cup of starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, squash, etc.) about 100.
A cup of most whole intact whole grains (cooked) 200-300
A cup of ground beef is about 5.3 ounces and has 617 Calories with 40 gm fat

Conclusion: When you fuel your body with mostly plants and you don’t add liquid oils (at 270 Calories per OUNCE!), losing weight is much easier.

With weight loss comes decreased inflammation. That leads to easier movement which helps fitness, energy and a host of other things.
Like I said. . .improved health.

Want more specifics for your particular health issues?
Join me in my new Empowered Wellness Membership Program.

Your first 30 days are free with no obligation. Check it out here. If you have any questions, I’d love to talk with you.

The post 5 Simple Ways to Advance Your Health Today appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

I think much of the fear has moved beyond healthy respect, normal avoidance and prevention all the way into a full panic mode.

A couple of things about panic:

1. We don’t make good decisions when we are operating out of panic. This is how our brains are wired. When we go into ‘fight or flight’ response, our frontal cortex is essentially shut down & overpowered by the more primitive part of our brain that can’t see anything more than the two options of either running away or fighting back. Since we are being told there IS no ammunition to fight back, we’re all in fear mode dutifully panicking inside the 4 walls of our homes. I’m not necessarily saying this is wrong, but I AM saying it’s very difficult for us to look at the problem and bring sane science to bear here. (more on what some experts are saying next time).
2. The hormones racing through your system when you’re in ‘fight or flight’ are damaging to your body in multiple ways.
   • These hormones adversely affect the very immune system you want and need to be strong to fight this invader.
   • These hormones also adversely affect multiple other systems in our bodies, most notably our cardiovascular system and our digestive system.

How your body behaves differently in “Fight or Flight” response:

We all have heard about highly stressed executives and how much more prone they are to a heart attack.

But did you know that the same hormones that are active in fight or flight also cause digestive issues and a tendency to lay down extra fat!? Yup! It’s true; when Cortisol levels are high, we gain weight easier, our blood sugar levels are adversely affected and our hormones that regulate hunger and appetite are impacted as well. In addition to all that, the digestive system basically shunts everything you take in either for immediate use, raising your blood sugar levels or for immediate storage, laying down extra fat. Yeah, so basically, forget intermediate functions like glycogen storage, general repair, growth, immune function and more. By evolutionary standards, this makes sense; get through the crisis and then worry about repair. But when stress is chronic, it has devastating results.

So what are some basic mechanisms to get us out of the loop?

1. Limit your exposure to amped-up coverage. Do you really need to listen to the news, the President or local news conferences daily? Be selective.
2. Get some aerobic exercise. The hormones our body secretes in fight or flight are designed for us to have the capacity to run or fight back. Aerobic exercise mimics that; thus using up the hormones. This gets us back into a healthier state.
3. Meditate, do yoga, self-hypnosis, EFT tapping or use other methods. Most are working via video call) to bring your brain and nervous system back into alignment. (Contact me for a referral to a practitioner if needed)
4. Get a chiropractic adjustment. It also helps normalize nervous system function & helps the connection between your Nervous System and your Immune System
5. Eat your fruits & veggies: Keeping your diet balanced positively impacts all your systems. Just start here.
6. Breathe: If you’re not someone who has ever adopted meditation, yoga or other things, just the simple act of taking 10 long slow deep breaths several times daily can be a big help. Try it before you sit down to eat a meal. It will bring the hormone levels down a little and will help your digestive system do a better job of processing your food properly.

So, what this about CoVid 19 and it being an ‘equal opportunity invader?’

We’ve heard some amazing things over the past month: over a million cases of the infection, 100,000 deaths world-wide and tragic stories.

We’ve heard that most cases of death are in older people with weakened immune systems, but we’ve also heard of the tragic cases of healthcare providers and younger people dying. Let’s look a little closer: Much of the data is still being calculated and interpreted. However, a study undertaken by the Kaiser Foundation has concluded the following:

1. About 4 in 10 of ALL adults over 18 are at risk for more serious infection.
2. Just over ½ of those in #1 above are age 65 and older. (Therefore, a little less than 2 in 10 under 65 are at increased risk)
3. The adults between 18 and 64 that are most at risk have these co-morbidities: heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled asthma, diabetes, or a BMI greater than 40.

Note: They did not track cancer or immune system compromise as a co-morbidity (they chose to not track that so that it wouldn’t falsely elevate the stats).

Further research on the rates of the above conditions in the US indicates that in adults 18-64, about 9.4% have diabetes, about 8.2% of those living in rural areas have COPD and about 4.7% of those in metro areas have COPD. About 7.1% of adults in the U.S. have asthma and about 60% of that is uncontrolled. I was unable to find data that distinguished adults 18-64 from the rest of the population regarding morbid obesity but 18% of the general public is considered morbidly obese. (All found by simple google search)

Given all these factors together, a picture emerges of the ‘at risk’ adult under 65 which basically suggests that while there could be a very rare exception, almost all the people developing serious disease have one or more conditions that pre-disposes them to the disease.

Here’s the thing that most others won’t say: too many people with the conditions listed above (and other diagnosed health conditions as well) don’t really think of themselves as being chronically ill and so don’t want to recognize that they are more susceptible than others to this and other infections.

Add this to the fact that the media reports deaths by age and generally doesn’t mention mitigating factors and we can begin to see some of the reasons the public is so spun up about this infection.

Yes, it is theoretically possible for an otherwise healthy person to get Covid 19 and die of it, just as it’s theoretically possible for them to get some other infection they could die of. There are no guarantees in life.

Part of what I’m attempting to distinguish here is that too many of us who have chronic conditions and take medication to mitigate symptoms ignore our problems and consider ourselves ‘healthy’ or fool ourselves into believing we are invincible when the data clearly shows otherwise. These health conditions make people more susceptible to death from ALL causes. Considering that and in light of these stats, I’d like to suggest that it’s time that if you have any health condition, you take an honest look at it and make a choice to do something about it. Most chronic conditions can essentially be reversed with the right diet and lifestyle.

So while you’re stuck at home, you might give some thought to some questions like:

1. Am I going to use this time to begin to address some of my health issues that may make me more susceptible to other problems (including CoVid19)?
2. Are the health conditions I have amenable to being resolved with diet and lifestyle?  (the answer is likely ‘yes’ but you may need assistance)
3. Am I willing to put a plan in place that can help me reverse these conditions?
4. If you’re on any medication: Do I understand the long-term effects of the drugs and other conditions they are likely to cause?

And perhaps most importantly: Am I willing to accept the consequences of my inaction?

I’m happy to offer a Free Consultation about your condition.

The post CoVid 19-An Equal Opportunity Invader? appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Ok. Let’s all take a deep breath, shall we?! I’m going to take some time away from my usual topics of women’s health, diet and aging to look a little closer at CoVid 19 AKA Corona Virus.

CoVid 19 in the News

The media has done a great job of stoking the flames of fear about CoVid-19 AKA Corona Virus as evidenced by the run on hand sanitizer & toilet paper, the market sell-off/crash, events being canceled and other such actions.

I’m not saying we should completely ignore Corona Virus. I’m not saying CoVid-19 is a hoax. And I’m not saying it’s not an issue for some. But let’s take a closer look:

In China & Elsewhere:

In Wuhan, China (population 11 million)and the epi-center for CoVid-19 AKA Corona Virus.  About 79,000 people had been infected as of March 4th. (Earlier, as in last week, it was easier to find stats for Wuhan alone. Thus, I’m using those stats.) This represents an infection rate of 7 per 100,000 people; 81% of whom had only minor symptoms. Does 7 people in 100,000 sound like an epidemic?

In China, as a whole, as of today (March 11), there have been about 81,000 cases and 3,158 deaths; an infection rate (according to WHO) of 56.1 per million. Again, the question; does this constitute an epidemic?

Italy currently has the highest rate of infection, based on population at 206.1 per million.

Our Response:

Now, I think ANY deaths are worth talking about & taking precautions for. But what IS an appropriate response?

We know that the death rate is significantly higher for those who are older & have mitigating health issues, so certainly we should all do what we can to help them minimize exposure.

We know that likelihood of dying of the infection if you get it and are under 60 is significantly less than 1% and only a fraction of that if you have no other health issues.

Use Good Judgement

So, it seems to me that those who are older or have other health conditions should take precautions and not unduly expose themselves to the public-at-large. It also seems to me that those of us who have relationships with them should do a couple of things (1) make sure older folks have the things they need, including shopping for them if they feel that’s necessary (2) be extra careful to NOT visit with them if we have ANY suspicion we could have been exposed; even if we’re not symptomatic.

As a population, in general, we should all do a few things to help mitigate the possibility of getting sick.

1. Good hand-washing technique. Soap and water, though sometimes less convenient, is still superior to hand sanitizers.
2. Be extra cautious of the things we touch in public: consider bringing your own containers & bags to the store & filling them yourself, for example. (Better for the environment as well)
3. Eat more fresh fruits & vegetables: They help us make many of the compounds that are important in boosting our immunity.
4. Shy away from animal foods: Although CoVid 19 is now thought to be transmitted within the community, its original source was from an animal. Many of the people in Wuhan, China who were likely originally exposed to the disease had been at seafood markets.
5. Most importantly, if you’re sick; even if it’s ‘only a cold,’ STAY HOME!

In closing, I will reiterate that the media & the feeding frenzy are blowing things out of proportion right now. I think it’s always good to be knowledgeable and prudent but fear and downright panic do little good.

The post CoVid 19 AKA Corona Virus: appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Falsification of data that has resulted in at least 17 medical research papers being retracted and accusations that Duke was silencing would-be whistleblowers since at least 2008 are not something to simply to get over, nor should they be.

That Duke has now gotten a ‘slap on the wrist’ and has new restrictions surrounding all their grants is a good thing. How much difference it will make for them and others like them and if systemic change will happen, we will only see as time goes on.

This all makes the job of those of us committed to bringing you the truth in health even more difficult. There more and more papers being withdrawn for falsification all the time making it more difficult to discern who and what to believe.

In my last blog article, I talked about how the FDA is now using a technique known as “close-hold embargo” to dictate that those reporters and media outlets who agree to not ask (hard) questions will get information first (for controversial press releases). Thus, they can only parrot the press release which is often written in a way to make results look better. Now we find that information in peer-reviewed published studies is being falsified by those who used to be known as ‘the best of the best.’

Now, more than ever, it becomes incumbent on all of us to purchase health care; ALL medications and procedures, with caution. Is the procedure being suggested to you the best thing for YOU?

Often a procedure or medication is recommended because it is the proverbial CYA (cover your ass). The doctor who is recommending it is using opinion and recommendation based on demographics and other parameters promulgated by the very organizations that will benefit monetarily from you having the procedure done or taking the medication. It has been put forth so aggressively, that it has become the standard of care though the benefits may be negligible. Sometimes, though less often, the doctor benefits directly as well. Such is the case in cancer treatment where self-referral arrangements and mark-up of drugs can account for up to 60% of a center’s income! But it’s also true of many diagnostic procedures as well. 

How do you handle this? One way is to take a step back & require more information before consenting to ANYTHING. Information, NOT in the form of a brochure or a recommendation as they are also written by the same groups. Information in the form of at least 2 studies by different authors that you can take home and review before consenting.

If you or someone you love has a concerned based in any procedure or medication. I can help. Not through medical advice but thru consulting and research so we can look at the truth together and you can make the best decision for you. Call me today.

The post An Honest Look at Dishonesty in Healthcare Research appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

It happened again this week. Some news came across my desk about new black box warnings on another drug. It seems that this new rock star of a drug for gout (a condition easily corrected by diet) can cause sudden cardiac death! But does the FDA pull it off the market? NO! They put a black box warning on that your doctor is likely unaware of and life goes on. Cha-ching! Cha-Ching! (That’s the sound of money going into the drug company coffers.)

Then today, something else came across my desk. It was information for physicians on the same drug. Seems this drug can also cause anaphylactic reactions (life-threatening shock) . Further, one of the most common untoward reactions of this drug is an INCREASE in acute flareups of gout! Cha-ching! Cha-Ching!

Yes, get this straight: the new block-buster drug can cause acute flareups of the very thing you are using it to treat! (most people START on such drugs BECAUSE of an acute flareup!)

Oh & BTW, it also said the “most common adverse reactions” are “gout flareups, . . . chest pain, anaphylaxis. . .”(and 7 other slightly less disturbing symptoms). Cha-ching! Cha-Ching! (Ok. That’s the last time. . .it’s probably getting old.)

But you don’t have gout so why should this matter to you?

Simple: according to a study I pulled up; the FDA issued over 100 black box warnings between 2008 and 2015. That’s more than 1 per month. Your doctor can’t possibly keep abreast of this, along with everything else, no matter how hard they try.

It’s stuff like this makes me passionate about the work I do educating people so they can get off medication and usually live a healthier and longer life as a ‘side effect’ of lifestyle changes.

But it’s not just about diet and exercise. It’s also about becoming an informed medical consumer so you don’t become an unwitting victim of stuff like this.

You see, sooner or later, all of us will need to make decisions about which tests to have (or not have), which procedures to consent to or not and what medications to take or allow a loved one to.

Most will listen to their doctor or a trusted friend.

I’d like to suggest a different way.

That’s why “Empowering Your Health & Choices: Food Over Medicine” (my program that begins April 2^nd) spends a significant amount of time helping you understand the potential hazards of tests and procedures and the stats associated with them so you can start to make informed choices.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t sign a mortgage contract without understanding how much money the loan will cost you monthly for how many years. Yet we don’t typically ask for similar data on the procedure we are about to have on our own body!

Some procedures, for example PAP smears DO have good supportive data & we discuss this as well. Others, when you see the data, will give cause to pause and reconsider.

Last week, in my blog, I talked a little about cardiac procedures. One study I reviewed found that 94% of people that had a cardiac procedure had to have another one over a 30 year time span. If you’re a 45 year old having a stint put in; don’t you think you have a right to know that? Don’t you also have a right to know that statistically, you’ll probably need another stint within 10 years unless you drastically change your diet?!

Now, understand, I’m NOT saying you shouldn’t have procedure X, Y or Z. I’m saying you should understand the full gravity of what your about to do and find out if there are safer things you could do that have good outcomes attached to those as well. Then, you can make a more informed choice.

I hope to see you there. Your life or the life of someone you love really COULD be saved by getting this information.

The program will be held over 5 sessions on Tuesdays & Thursdays April 2-16, 2019 at 6:30-8pm in Morro Bay. You can register here:    or set up a free consult here   to learn more.

The post More Black Box Warnings . . .and life goes on appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Headline: Worst Flu Season in Years. Vaccine Purported to be Less than 10% Effective

They’re selling FEAR; actually they’re giving it away for free.  What can you do?

Simple Prevention:

1. Hand-washing! Often! With soap & water as much as possible. It’s better than hand-sanitizers (but they are better than nothing).
2. Get Adjusted regularly: Chiropractic adjustments have been proven to cause a surge of T Cell production. -I joke to my patients that I got an immunity with my diploma. Regular chiropractic care means I’ve had the flu ONCE in the past 25 years. Between my 2 now-grown children and my husband, there has been ONE case of the flu; sometime around the year 2003! People who see me or other chiropractors on a regular basis (monthly or more) report similar results. If you DO get the flu, get adjusted as soon as you can and LISTEN to your chiropractor about when to return.
3. Eat your fruits and veggies! Aim for 5 servings of each per day! MORE if you’re sick.
4. Can’t get 5 of each or more/day? Eat Juice Plus+; made from fresh raw fruits & veggies, it’s a supplement that can help bridge the gap.
5. Add herbs known to help the immune system: garlic & ginger are great for prevention. Echinecea and Elderberry syrup are great if you’re sick. (There are lots more. This article only touches the surface.)
6. Add a Moringa supplement: another great immune booster. The best one I’ve found is Zija’s SuperMix.
7. Essential oils such as tee tree, eucalyptus and immune blends can be used for prevention or treatment. (use caution, some oils are not suitable for children. Consult with me or someone that understands oils)

If, in spite of it all, you DO get sick:

1. Rest! STAY HOME! You don’t need to spread it!
2. Elderberry Syrup is great for coughs; it soothes the throat but doesn’t suppress a productive cough. -Productive coughs are good. They help you get rid of the stuff.
3. There are a variety of additional essential oils that can help acute situations. Consult with me or another knowledgeable professional.
4. Stay as comfortable as possible but DO remember that fever is your body’s way of killing the offending bug faster. If you take medicine to bring your fever down, you may increase the length of your illness.
5. Drink fluids; LOTS of them including green tea, water with lemon and honey, broths, etc.
6. Stay away from dairy products which can increase mucus & congestion.
7. Use your best judgement & be informed about medications, including Tami-flu. There are reports of adverse reactions. It has been banned for use by teenagers in Japan due to several bizarre suicides.
8. Do seek appropriate professional care if your symptoms do not improve or worsen after an appropriate period of time.

None of the above is meant to take the place of medical care.

The post Facing the Flu Season With Caution; Not Fear appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Sunburn Spray: 5 drops each Lavender and Tea Tree oils, 2 drops Peppermint oil. Add these to a pint or 1/2 liter spray bottle filled mostly with distilled water and 1-2 ounces of Aloe Vera gel. Shake. This cooling spray can be applied as often as needed. (Never use oils on a physical burn unless it has been cooled for several minutes first)

Healing Blend for minor wounds: 10 drops each Lavender, Frankincense & Tea Tree, 1.5oz Witch Hazel, Aloe vera gel to fill 2 ounce spray bottle. Spray on wound.

Muscle or Joint Pain (simple over-use): 5 drops each Muscle Mend, Relaxing Touch, Eucalyptus and Marjoram in a 10ml roller bottle. Add carrier oil (fractionated coconut, sweet almond or avocado oil) to fill. Apply to sore areas & massage in.

Ameo essential oils are highly purified Clinical Grade essential oils. Each oil is subjected to Ameo’s “certi-5” standards; a combination of testing and certification that assures you that the oils are both pure and efficacious. Order your oils today: http://drfrankincense.com or call or message me to discuss specific needs.

The post Warm Weather “Farmacy” Part 2: Essential Oils for Sunburn & “Oww-ies!” appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.

Warm weather and springtime bring an array of fun outdoor activities for most of us. Whether you like to hike, go bicycling, play sports, sail or surf or just lay on the beach or by the pool, most of us find SOME time to get away for the work doldrums, maybe even shut off social media and get out in the fresh air.

But along with having fun come the adverse consequences: sore muscles, mosquito & bug bite, sunburns, scrapes and potentially even tick bites that can lead to more serious problems.

Today we’ll address the bug issues using Ameo Essential Oils:

Bug Repellents:

Commercial bug repellents are loaded with chemicals like DEET that can cause rashes and even neurological symptoms. Many are known to cause cancer and disrupt hormones as well.

• Bug Repellent Spray:

Choose from: Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Cinnamon and Cedar.                                    Fill an 8oz. spray bottle 1/2 full with distilled water. Add witch hazel til almost full. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils. Shake well before applying.

• Tick Repellent:

10 drops Lavender, 10 drops Lemongrass, 10 drops Eucalyptus.     Add oils to a 4 oz spray bottle filled with 1/2 distilled water & 1/2 witch hazel. Spray on shoes, sock pant legs & skin.

• Tick Repellent Part 2

Carry a lint roller that has been sprayed with the above solution.  Roll it over your pant legs & socks periodically. You may be shocked what you pick up!

• Bug Bite Itch Relief 

25% Tea Tree oil, 25% Lavender oil, 50% carrier oil (sweet almond, fractionated coconut or avocado oil are all good choices) Mix this in a 10ml roller bottle. Apply just a dab to bug bites.

Purchase your essential oils by clicking on ‘Ameo Essential Oils’ at the bottom of this page:Then choose the wholesale option. (Or use your personal login & password here if you have one.)

Call or message me to find out how to become a wholesale member with NO initial startup fee

The post Warm Weather “Farmacy” -Essential Oils for Spring & Summer appeared first on Dr Leslie K. Empowered Wellness.