About Mila McManus MD

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So far Mila McManus MD has created 849 blog entries.

“I made a stunning recovery!”

I made a stunning recovery!

from Donna S.

I began treatment with you in June 2008. I was obese, full of candida, thyroid and hormonal imbalance, adrenal fatigue and

was feeling sick and hopeless. Within a few short weeks of following the yeast free protocol and getting the right medication and

supplements, I felt better than I had in decades. My energy returned, my palate changed and I lost 50 pounds. I was actually

eating more food, than when I was shut down and ill. My food was fuel, and my body processed it! I made a stunning recovery, and

had the energy and stamina to lead a busy fulfilling life. I was working in a career that I love, singing and vocal coaching.

In 2010 I was diagnosed and treated for tonsil cancer. Because of your work in building my health and wellness, I was going into treatment

in the best physical condition possible to face the rigorous cancer treatment ahead of me. I was strong, well nourished, and optimistic.

I walked through radiation on two feet, and came out on the other side with a complete cancer free result. I was one of very few

patients with my type of cancer who got through treatment without a feeding tube. I am still singing and training musical theatre artists,

Praise God! The work you do is truly life changing. I am so grateful for your wisdom and insight into diagnosing and treating each individual case.

Thank you!

By Mila McManus MD|2017-08-26T08:49:47-06:00July 19th, 2017|General, Testimonials|

Garlic Rosemary Paleo Bread

6-8 servings

From The Candida Cure Cookbook, by Ann Boroch, CNC, 2016, pg.183

1 cup almond, pecan or hazelnut meal

½ cup coconut flour

½ cup ground flaxseeds

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced

6-8 cloves garlic, minced

5 eggs

½ cup olive oil

1 tablespoon organic raw apple cider vinegar

Ghee, Duck fat, or additional olive oil to coat the pan

Preheat oven to 350◦. Generously coat a loaf pan with ghee, duck fat or olive oil.
Remove needles from the stems of the fresh rosemary and mince with scissors or herb mill to get 1 tablespoon.
Peel garlic and mince cloves by hand or in a mini-prep food processor.
In a large bowl, blend together the nut meal, coconut flour, ground flaxseeds, sea salt, baking soda, rosemary and garlic.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, ½ cup olive oil and organic raw apple cider vinegar. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 40-50 minutes, until bread is firm to the touch and golden brown on top.
Let cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the loaf pan.
Enjoy with organic ghee or dipped in fresh olive oil.
Store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Also freezes well in a loaf or sliced pieces.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-13T12:03:23-06:00July 13th, 2017|General, Recipes|

Summer is here and zucchini is showing up in Farmers Markets and grocery stores. Zucchini is a wise choice for Organic only, since it is known to be genetically modified and may be chemically treated for pests too. These fritters make a yummy breakfast or a nice side for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 medium organic zucchini, shredded (about 5 cups)
2 teaspoons sea salt
¼ cup coconut flour
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Coconut oil or ghee for cooking

Instructions

Shred the zucchini using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade. Put the shredded zucchini in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and toss well. Leave it for 10 minutes.
Then squeeze all the moisture out of the zucchini to avoid soggy fritters. Note: If you are salt sensitive, you may wat to rinse the zucchini with water, and then squeeze it out. Scoop up a generous handful of the zucchini and squeeze them well over the sink or the bowl. You want them dry. It may also help to press them using paper towels. Place dry zucchini in a different bowl.
Add the coconut flour, egg and pepper. Stir to combine.
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Melt a large spoonful of ghee or coconut oil in the pan. Pack a ¼ cup metal measuring cup with the zucchini mixture, pressing it down inside the cup. Flip the cup onto the pan to release the contents, and flatten the zucchini into a patty. Repeat to fill the pan and use all the mixture.
Cook each side for 3 to 5 minutes or until nicely browned. Repeat until you have used up all the zucchini mixture. Be sure to add more ghee or coconut oil to the pan each time you start a new batch.
Cool on a cooling rack to prevent them from getting soggy

Other additions:

Add garlic powder, lemon pepper or onion powder to the mix.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped chives, parsley, dill or rosemary.

www.stupideasypaleo.com

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-04T08:59:43-06:00July 4th, 2017|General, Recipes|

Pure PaleoMeal

Pure PaleoMeal is a Designs for Health protein meal replacement powder that is ideal for alkalizing the body, healing and supporting bone health, and getting back on track with diet when we have slipped away into acidic foods, too much caffeine and processed foods. Non-GMO and Gluten free, this protein is sourced from beef and is very hypoallergenic. HydroBEEF™, a proprietary highly concentrated, pure bone broth protein, has both complete and collagen proteins that are naturally found in beef and allows for better absorption to support gut, joint, bone and overall health. Some of the key nutrients included and needed for bone support as well as overall health include boron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium. It is also a good source of most of the B vitamins. This product does NOT have a beef flavor and comes in vanilla or chocolate. Our team has found this product to be smooth, very enjoyable on the palate and satisfying as a meal replacement (or supplement) shake.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-04T08:47:48-06:00July 4th, 2017|General|

Bone Breakers and Bone Builders

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

Bone Breakers – Here are foods that suck the life and strength from your bones.

Sugar – When cellular glucose (sugar) levels rise too high from consuming sugar, the body cannot completely process it, resulting in the formation of acids which over-acidify the body. The body reacts by pulling calcium and magnesium from the bones and tissues to buffer acidic blood. In this way, we deplete our stores of calcium and magnesium. Calcium is the most prevalent mineral in the body and magnesium is required for hundreds of chemical reactions in the body.
Phosphoric Acid – Used to add tangy flavor and prevent mold in otherwise sugary substances, phosphoric acid is found in large quantity in soft drinks and is also added to bottled and canned iced teas, bottled and canned coffee beverages, breakfast cereal bars, non-diary creamers and enhanced chicken and meat products. Increased phosphorus in the body decreases calcium levels. Research has pointed heavily to destruction of bone health from overconsumption of soft drinks. Also, as the name suggests, it is acidic to the human body, so again, see the section above about sugar and the problem with acidity.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Really? You ask. While there are some benefits of apple cider vinegar, sometimes more is not better! According to Dr. Mercola¹, long-term and excessive use of this highly acidic substance could potentially cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. Because it is acidic, it can also impact your tooth enamel as well as tissues in the mouth and throat.
Imbalanced Diet – Optimal body functioning occurs in an alkaline state and this is created by many of the Bone Building Foods listed below. If you tend to consume a great deal of meat, dairy, processed grains of all kinds, sugary and processed foods and beverages which contain processed salt and sugar, it’s not likely you could consume enough alkalizing vegetables and fruits, herbs and clean water to offset the damage and inflammation created by the consequent acidity of such a diet. It’s interesting that the Standard American Diet has traditionally recommended 5+ servings of grains per day (which in our country are almost all highly processed into breads, cereals, crackers, snack food), 3+ servings of dairy per day, an emphasis on meat that is grain fed and antibiotic/hormone laden and little to no restriction on sugar. Hence, lifestyle diseases. Balance is the key.

Bone Building Foods – Here are the foods that should make up the preponderance of our diets, supplemented with some animal foods such as grass-fed meats, pasture raised eggs and wild caught seafood. They promote alkalinity (they are alkaline forming even if they taste acidic) and/or provide the complex variety of essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients needed to build healthy bones.

Clean pure water, free of fluoride, chlorination and other contaminants. Clean water is very alkalizing and essential to life.
Vegetables – while all vegetables are alkalizing, the greens are especially helpful including lettuces, kale, spinach, field greens, collard, mustard and beet greens, cabbage, spirulina, chlorella and most herbs. Squash and root vegetables are also helpful.
Fruits – In moderation, particularly alkalizing fruits include lemon, grapefruit, and avocado. Most fruits, if eaten at peak ripeness, are alkalizing, but if eaten too early can be quite acidic.
Nuts and Seeds – Nuts provide many of the micronutrients needed to build strong bones, including many minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, selenium (Brazil nuts), copper (almonds), boron (walnuts) and zinc (pumpkin seeds and cashews).
Bone Broth –when made in the old traditional method through a slow simmering of bones and joints, bone broth is full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other bone building nutrients.
Fermented Foods – Vitamin K2 is a fat- soluble vitamin whose primary role is to move calcium into proper areas such as bone and teeth, and to prevent it from accumulating where it should not be, such as in the kidneys or arteries. This vitamin is produced by your gut bacteria and very difficult to get in your diet or through supplementation. An ideal way to maintain a healthy gut, sustain a good level of favorable bacteria in the gut, which in turn produces K2, is to consume fermented foods with those bacteria in them. Almost any veggie can be fermented, though cabbage is the most well-known, in the form of sauerkraut.

So there you have it. When it comes to what you eat, real whole food that includes a balanced diet largely inclusive of vegetables, nuts and seeds and moderate amounts of meats and fruits will contribute to good health, all the way down to your bones.

References:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/02/apple-cider-vinegar

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-05T12:07:43-06:00July 4th, 2017|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

This program is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

This program is the best thing I've ever done for myself.

from K.H.

The comprehensive wellness program is well worth the investment. I’m 52 and peri-menopausal. I was experiencing stiffness and joint pain, fluid retention, headaches, low (or zero!) libido, low energy, very high blood pressure and blue moods. I had gained over 30 lbs in 2 years…regular exercise or dieting didn’t do a thing. I feared I would slip into depression if I let it go any further. Out of desperation, I contacted TWIHW. The 28-day yeast cleanse and the hormone therapy did wonders. I lost 8 to 9 lbs while on the yeast diet…which is motivating me to stick to the diet as closely as possible so I can continue to lose weight (it’s not a diet, it’s a life change!) My joint pain and stiffness are gone, energy is back up, moods are way better, headaches are gone, libido is coming back, fluid retention has decreased a lot and my blood pressure is improving. Both my husband and I are thrilled…I’m getting my life back! This program is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Thank you, Dr. McManus!

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-19T13:22:59-06:00July 4th, 2017|General, Testimonials|

Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones and So Will This

By Mila McManus MD and Nancy Mehlert MS

We tend to not think about our bone health until we break one. , but maybe we should. The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reported a study which revealed that 10.2 million adults have osteoporosis and another 43.4 million have low bone mass (osteopenia). That’s more than one-half of the total U.S. adult population! The study projects that by 2020, the number of adults over age 50 with osteoporosis or low bone mass will grow from approximately 54 million to 64.4 million and by 2030, the number will increase to 71.2 million (a 29% increase from 2010). Moreover, it’s anticipated that the number of fractures will grow proportionately. ¹

Osteoporosis is defined by the National Osteoporosis Foundation as a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both, and as a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps. The word osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have lost density and mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. ²

The good news is that most people can prevent, or reverse, bone loss through lifestyle choices. Here’s a list of important considerations to building and protecting your bones so that you don’t become a statistic:

Healthy bones require many nutrients, including protein, fats, vitamins and minerals to stay strong and repair themselves. Simply trying to increase calcium is an inadequate and potentially harmful approach, as research is suggesting this can actually worsen your bone density and lead to heart attacks.² Instead, it is important to obtain proper balances of vitamin D and K as well as boron, silica, manganese, copper, iodine, magnesium, chromium, zinc and selenium. Proper supplementation can go a long way to protecting your bones.
Nutrition plays a very foundational and critical role in bone health. There are important foods to include to optimize bone health. Equally important, there are foods that pull calcium away from bones and need to be avoided. Some of them may surprise you! See our Nutrition Nugget for details.
Exercise increases bone strength, especially weight bearing choices such as walking, hiking, jogging, stair climbing, lifting weights and playing tennis.
Those who smoke cigarettes or drink excessive alcohol are more prone to bone loss and broken bones as well as more likely to get other lifestyle diseases.
Low estrogen levels in women and low testosterone levels in men can cause osteoporosis. In fact, bio-identical hormones, especially the use of progesterone and testosterone, have proven very effective with increasing bone density. Synthetic hormones have not proven very successful and come with many side effects.
Medications can also steal bone health so it may pay off to discuss with your medical provider if you are using any medications that negatively impact your bones. Some examples include proton pump inhibitors used for heartburn, long term use of high dose steroids such as prednisone, chemotherapy and anticonvulsants.
Fluoridated Water and other sources of fluoride such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, foods and beverages processed with fluoridated water are problematic for our bones over time. Excess fluoride in the body results in excessive thickening of bone causing joint pain, bone pain and stiffness. Interestingly, even though the bone becomes thicker, it becomes more brittle. Fluoride should not be ingested for many reasons, bone health being just one example. ⁴

So take control, examine your bone health strategy and take positive steps to improve it. Talk to our medical providers for recommendations and a good plan for you.

References:

¹https://www.nof.org/news/54-million-americans-affected-by-osteoporosis-and-low-bone-mass/

²http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/30/calcium-supplement-on-heart-attack.aspx

³https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/

⁴http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/08/bone-fluorides-magnet-new-studies-halflife.aspx

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/556768 (hip fx more deadly than breast ca in women 65+)

By Mila McManus MD|2017-07-04T09:08:48-06:00July 4th, 2017|Articles, General|

Fake Food: You Don’t Always Get What You Want (or think you bought)

This month we’re focusing on BEEF.

Traditionally, cattle were grass fed from start to finish. As little as three generations ago, a steer was fed grass its entire life and was not slaughtered for market until the age of four or five years old. Today, through misguided policies and government subsidies, our nation has figured out the route to cheaper and faster without considering the long term impact on humans, animals, and environmental health. Now, the majority of cattle spends just the first few months of life on pasture land and then are “finished”, or fattened, in a feed lot (Confined Animal Feeding Operations, aka CAFO). The goal is to take a cow from birthweight of about 80 pounds to 1200 pounds in just a little more than a year. The only way to accomplish this unnatural feat is to feed the animal enormous quantities of corn, soy based protein supplements, antibiotics and other drugs, including hormones.

This article could easily take many avenues, from animal cruelty, environmental issues or government policy, but our purpose today is to focus on what kind of beef can offer the greatest nutritional value. Let me preface this by saying that most Americans consume far more meat than needed and are grossly insufficient consumers of vegetables and healthy, undamaged fats. Meats, which can be part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet, are far healthier and superior when obtained from animals that have eaten their natural diet.

The Bad News about Feed Lot Beef

When we eat CAFO meat, our health is impacted negatively in the following ways:

Increasingly, research reveals that pesticides used on genetically modified food has significant long term health risks, most notably glyphosate. Glyphosate is classified by the World Health Organization as a Class 2A, “probable human carcinogen”. Cows are fed genetically altered, glyphosate-sprayed, corn, soy and other byproducts.
We are currently human lab rats in the experiment of genetic modification as we artificially transfer genes from one species to another where it would never occur under natural conditions. The process yields unexpected and unpredictable results, including transferring foreign genes from other species into humans¹.
In CAFO operations, antibiotics are used as a preventive measure so that animals can be kept in conditions and fed things that would otherwise make them sick. Antibiotics, along with growth hormones and steroids, are also used as a cheap method to help cattle gain weight. Growth hormones and steroids are banned in pig and poultry production. ²
There are also reports that cattle are also fed animal waste that includes chicken litter (which contains chicken feces, bedding, feathers and other unknown residues) as well as the flesh and bones of dead cattle.⁶
Corn fed beef is more inflammatory to humans because it adds to our intake of Omega 6 fatty acids which promote inflammation.
“Pink slime” in ground beef remains very real. Simply look for terms like “lean finely textured beef” (LFTB), “textured beef,” “finely textured beef” or “boneless lean beef trimmings” (BLBT). It is used to hold beef together and is made from meat trimmings heated at high temperatures to remove the fat, then treated with ammonia or citric acid to kill bacteria. It is used as a filler as well.⁴ Um, gross!
“Meat glue” is also still very prevalent. Many “premium” cuts of meat you are buying in restaurants are cheaper cuts assembled to look like filet mignon or ribeye. The glue is an enzyme known as transglutaminase, reportedly created by cultivating bacteria or using blood plasma of pigs and cows. It is apparently toxic enough to warrant those working with the product to wear protective masks to avoid inhaling fumes from it. Another concern is that it harbors pathogens and since it will be located at the center of the meat, ordering on the rare side may not kill the pathogens. ⁵
An important consideration for everyone is the modern-day crisis we face, as the antibiotics we consume in our meat and dairy products create antibiotic resistance in our own bodies.

The Good News about Grass Fed Beef

Not surprising, when an animal eats its natural diet in a healthy living environment, the meat and eggs from that animal are healthier options for us to eat.

Grass fed beef is lower in fat and provides more of the healthy Omega-3 fats that are crucial for human health and are also found in walnuts, flaxseeds and fish. A grass fed steak typically has twice as many Omega-3’s as a grain fed steak. ³
Grass fed beef is also four times higher in vitamin E than feed lot cattle, and much higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Both of these nutrients are associated with reducing inflammation, providing antioxidant protection, and preventing cancer. ³
Truly 100% grass fed and organic beef will be free of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones. The cows will be raised on grass and hay. See the Nutrition Nugget in this newsletter for how to buy quality grass fed beef.

¹http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/05/ge-food-dangers.aspx

³https://foodrevolution.org/blog/the-truth-about-grassfed-beef

⁴http://clark.com/health-health-care/how-to-know-if-youre-eating-pink-slime/

⁵http://www.natrualnews.com/054504_meat_glue_warning_fake_food.html

⁶http://www.naturalnews.com/z028675_beef_chicken_poop.html

By Mila McManus MD|2017-06-04T06:39:53-06:00June 4th, 2017|Articles, General|

How to Buy Quality Meat

Here are the key points you need to know in order to purchase quality meat, especially beef.

Source carefully, ask questions and buy from reputable places. Consider ButcherBox.com or check out www.EatWild.com as reliable places to start. Dr. Mercola, at www.mercola.com, also has many articles with lists of places and organizations to find clean, sustainable food sources.
When you see labels on beef that say “no hormones administered” (and on beef, pork and chicken “no antibiotics added”), the USDA has required sufficient documentation and approval.
The USDA does require that labels making a claim of “100% Grass Fed” meet the “all-grass fed” standard; however, this does not prohibit drugs or animal by-products. I recommend looking for “100% Grass Fed and Finished” and Organic if possible, as a more reliable commitment statement.
The American Grass Fed Association seal is issued by an industry group that requires its members to feed cattle grass only and to never confine cattle or use antibiotics or hormones.
According to Larry Olmsted in his book Real Food Fake Food, bison and buffalo are still raised fully on free range, without feedlots, additives, fillers or additives. He claims it to still be the purest grass fed beef available.

A few other considerations include:

“Natural” is poorly defined and poorly regulated by the USDA and cannot be relied upon to protect you from the issues and concerns raised in the main article. It refers more to processing, not as much how the animal is raised, so may be more about the use of nitrates, artificial flavors and additives, but again, is not well regulated.
“Grass-fed” basically applies both to CAFO operation cattle (because they started on grass then moved to feed lot) and to grass feeding operations that strive to fully grow the cattle on grass for several years but send the cattle to the feedlot for fattening for several weeks prior to slaughter. In other words, any cow that has had grass at any time, qualifies to be called “grass fed”. So “grass-fed” can apply to an animal that never leaves the stall or pen outside, gets fed exclusively hay its whole life along with antibiotics, steroids and hormones.
Organic does not necessarily make it grass fed nor does grass fed make it Organic. Organic meat and dairy will be hormone and antibiotic free, but the animal will have spent most of its life confined in a feedlot and fed the organic corn and soy. Sadly, the vast majority of organic beef and dairy products sold in the U.S. today come from feedlot animals.
Unless meat is labeled both Organic and 100% Grass fed, it isn’t.
Words like “premium”, “premium natural”, “no additives”, “free roaming”, “humane” or “pesticide free” have no meaning or regulation tied to them, but are allowed.

By Mila McManus MD|2017-06-06T06:04:55-06:00June 4th, 2017|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Essential Oil Diffuser

Now available in our office, this simple to use, electric essential oil diffuser by Radha Beauty is small enough to use on a desk, in an office or dorm room, or anywhere in your home. It is peaceful and calming to look at as it gently rotates through a soothing color spectrum. Sold for $24.99 + tax, we also offer a variety of essential oils, perfect to create a thoughtful and healthy gift.

Essential Oil Diffusers are a healthy way to fill the air with the healing power of essential plant oils in water vapor as the essence moves into your respiratory system and bloodstream, providing several beneficial health effects. Depending on the oils used, diffusing may elevate mood, improve brain function, relax the mind, open nasal passages and fight infection. Diffusing certain oils helps to purify the air, minimize pathogens, or knock out pests.

Here are a few examples of oils and their benefits:

Lavender is popular and ideal for diffusers. It smells wonderful and is especially soothing as the day winds down to create a calming atmosphere conducive to better sleep.

Lemon oil is antimicrobial so it can help to deodorize the air and remove pathogens from your living spaces.

Peppermint Oil adds a cool fresh scent to your home and also helps to clear respiratory passages.

Lemongrass has a very fresh scent and is also a natural insect repellent. It will also help you feel more alert, making it a great one to diffuse in the morning.

Combine lemongrass, citronella and peppermint to healthfully ward off pesky mosquitoes and creepy insects on the porch.

Purchase a bottle of an essential oil at our office

and receive 20% off a diffuser!

By Mila McManus MD|2018-03-14T10:15:57-06:00June 4th, 2017|General|

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