Supplement of the month- On Guard Essential Oil Blend

On Guard protects against environmental and seasonal threats with essential oils known for their positive effects on the immune system. OnGuard can be taken internally on a daily basis to maintain healthy immune function as well as used on surfaces throughout the home as a disinfectant and non-toxic cleaner. When diffused, On Guard helps purify the air, supports healthy respiratory function, and can be very energizing and uplifting. Applied topically, On Guard provides cleansing and purifying benefits while promoting healthy circulation.

Ingredients:

Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark,

Eucalyptus Leaf/Stem, and Rosemary

Leaf/Flower essential oils.

Aromatic Description:

Warm, spicy, camphoraceous, woody

USES

• Gargle with a few drops of On Guard as a healthy mouth rinse or for an irritated throat.

• Add to a dishwashing sponge or cloth to purify and eliminate odors.

• Soak sliced apples in water and a few drops of On Guard for a healthy, immune-boosting snack.

• Combine a few drops of On Guard with Fractionated Coconut Oil for a natural hand cleanser.

• Use on stainless-steel surfaces to eliminate tough, caked-on spills.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Diffusion:

Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.

Internal use:

Dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.

Topical use:

Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

CAUTIONS

Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are

pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Information obtained from doTerra’s product information pages.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-02-10T00:29:45-05:00February 10th, 2015|Articles, General|

Supplement of the month- Breathe Blend of Essential Oils

Enhanced with the powerful respiratory benefits of Cardamom, Breathe is a remarkable blend of essential oils that combine to help you breathe easier. A staple in the dōTERRA essential oil line, Breathe supports healthy respiratory function when seasonal threats are high and can be used safely by all embers of the family to soothe airways and promote clear breathing. This proprietary blend consists of Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, Ravensara, and Cardamom essential oils, all known for their positive effects on the respiratory system. Breathe can be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet, or diffused at nighttime to calm the senses and promote sleep.

Ingredients:

Laurel Leaf, Peppermint Plant, Eucalyptus Leaf/

Stem, Melaleuca Leaf, Lemon Peel, Ravensara

Leaf, Cardamom Seed essential oils

Aromatic Description:

Minty, hot, fresh, airy

USES

• Diffuse, inhale directly from palms, or rub on chest or feet when seasonal and environmental threats are high.

• Use when outdoors to minimize the effects of seasonal changes.

• Diffuse in room to promote clear breathing and at bedtime for a restful night’s sleep.

• For the snorer in your family, rub Breathe on his or her chest before bed for a better night’s rest.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Diffusion:

Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.

Topical use:

Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

CAUTIONS

Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Information obtained from doTerra’s product information pages.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-02-10T00:22:59-05:00February 10th, 2015|Articles, General|

1 head of green cabbage
6 slices of uncured bacon
1 Apple, cored and sliced, if desired
Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Cut raw bacon up into bits and pieces. Using medium heat, cook the bacon bits and pieces in a skillet or Dutch oven until brown and crisp. Remove from the pan, reserving the bacon fat.

2. Wash the cabbage, remove the outermost leaf. Remove hard core. Cut the cabbage into quarters or six even slices. . Place the segments into the bacon fat. Lightly salt and add pepper to taste. Cover and sautee until desired tenderness about 5-10 minutes. If desired, add apple slices at the same time.

3. Dish cabbage and apples onto plates and top with crisp bacon crumbles.

If bacon is not used, simply cook the cabbage in butter or chicken broth.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-02-03T23:15:22-05:00February 3rd, 2015|Articles, General, Recipes|

Histamine Intolerance

By Nancy Mehlert

Most of the time when we guide patients toward a whole food, ancestral type of diet, and we work to clean up the digestive tract and repopulate favorable microflora with probiotics and fermented foods, our patients are amazed at how much better they feel. Occasionally though, there are some individuals who do not improve initially, sometimes due to what is called Histamine Intolerance. Because the symptoms can easily be confused with a variety of other conditions and because the response is cumulative, it can be difficult to diagnose.

It is important to understand that the body needs and uses histamine for very important functions. Histamine intolerance occurs when the body’s enzymatic process to break down excess histamine is impaired, or when the body is producing too much of it. When this happens, the symptoms of excess histamine resemble allergic reactions. Common symptoms include:

Hives
Itching, especially of skin, eyes, ears and nose
Drop in blood pressure, dizziness when standing up quickly
Swelling of the face, mouth, and throat
Increased pulse rate or the sensation of heart racing
Some types of headaches
Nasal congestion, runny nose or seasonal allergies
Indigestion, heartburn or reflux
Fatigue, confusion or irritability
In very rare cases, blacking out very briefly

Overproduction of histamine can occur directly as a result of imbalanced gut micro-bacteria (aka dysbiosis). There are certain types of bacteria that produce histamine and if they are overpopulated, excess histamine can result. Another cause of excess histamine is slow clearance from the body, such as with impaired methylation. Impaired methylation can be a result of nutritional deficiencies and/or genetic mutations.

Another aspect of histamine intolerance is that it is cumulative and the spectrum of tolerance levels varies greatly. In other words, some excess histamine may not trigger any response, but every person has a unique tolerance level and once hit, will trigger the response. Because of this, the person experiencing these symptoms searches for a single food that seems to trigger the response when it is more likely a series of foods that add up and accumulate too much histamine. Any one food is not necessarily a trigger. Some people have responses that are triggered by only some of the foods listed below, while the other foods seem to not pose a threat.

As stated above, histamine intolerance appears to be very closely connected to gut imbalances of microflora and, in most cases, restricting consumption of high histamine foods can serve as the first line of treatment for symptom relief. Moreover, restoration of gut health and correction of methylation issues are vital to resolving the problem. Once these things are done, many people are able to add many of their favorite foods back into their diet.

Many people are surprised to learn that the foods which trigger these responses are often included in very healthy diets. While most foods generate some histamine, the most common high histamine foods include:

Fermented foods such as cultured vegetables, yogurts, and mature or ripe cheeses
Seafood
Beans and pulses
Nuts, especially cashews and walnuts
Chocolates and other cocoa based products
Most citrus fruits and berries
Tomatoes
Spinach
Eggs
Vinegar, including ketchup, salad dressings, sauces, BBQ sauce
Certain spices including cinnamon, chili powder, and cloves
Alcohol
Processed and cured meats such as salami, ham, bacon, sausages
Leftover meat (cooked meat increases in histamine as it sits)
Pickled or canned foods including sauerkraut, pickles, relish
Wheat and wheat products such as pasta and couscous
Salty or sweet snacks with preservatives and artificial colorings

Histamine intolerance may be on the rise, especially in light of the increase in gut dysbiosis in our population. It has not yet been established fully as a distinct medical condition in the conventional medical arena, so there are a lot of people who don’t believe this condition exists. Regardless, if you suspect you are, or someone you know is, suffering with this, functional medical practices, such as TWIHW, are the ideal places to get help!

Sources:

http://chriskresser.com/what-you-should-know-about-histamine-intolerance

http://www.histamineintolerance.org.uk

By Mila McManus MD|2015-02-03T23:05:15-05:00February 3rd, 2015|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Dangers of Antidepressants

By Mila McManus MD

The CDC estimates that one in ten Americans has depression. Chances are, if you don’t take antidepressant medication, you know someone who does. There are many levels of depression and many causes of depression. The main causes of depression have never been, and never will be, deficiencies of Prozac, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, or Lexapro. Causes may, however, be related to diet, gut health, side effects of medications, nutritional deficiencies, negative thinking, emotional trauma, chronic pain, lack of exercise, and hormonal imbalances/ deficiencies. I do believe that sometimes antidepressants are necessary, at least temporarily, but they’ll never correct the underlying cause(s), and they have many potential side effects.

To name a few (or many):

Your risk for type 2 diabetes is two to three times higher if you take antidepressants, according to one study.
Problems with your immune system: SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft) cause serotonin to remain in your nerve junctions longer, interfering with immune cell signaling and T cell growth. New research indicates that serotonin is also a signaling molecule between immune cells. Certain cells pick up serotonin at inflammation sites and pass it along to T cells (a type of immune cell). This affects T cell growth and division into new cells. One study showed that, when Prozac was introduced at inflammation sites, it blocked this type of serotonin uptake.
Suicidal thoughts and feelings and violent behavior: Your risk for suicide may be twice as high if you take SSRIs; seven out of twelve school shootings were by children who were either on antidepressants or withdrawing from them.
Stillbirths: A Canadian study of almost 5,000 mothers found that women on SSRIs were twice as likely to have a stillbirth, and almost twice as likely to have a premature or low birth weight baby; another study showed a 40 percent increased risk for birth defects such as cleft palate.
Brittle bones: One study showed women on antidepressants have a higher risk of fractures
Stroke: Your risk for stroke may be 45 percent higher if you are on antidepressants
Death: Overall death rates have been found to be 32 percent higher in women on antidepressants.
SSRIs have been shown to increase your risk of developing bipolar depression. Anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of children who take an antidepressant for five years convert to bipolar illness. In adults, about 25 percent of long term users convert from a diagnosis of unipolar depression to bipolar disorder.
Weight gain- this is one of the most common reasons a person will discontinue or change an antidepressant medication
Sexual dysfunction, including decreased sexual desire, delayed ejaculation in men, and the inability to have an orgasm in women.
Sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and sleepwalking
Sedation (daytime sleepiness)
headache, joint pain, muscle aches, nausea, skin rashes, or diarrhea

In addition, here’s a list of common side effects for the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants:

TCAs (e.g. Nortriptyline, Amitriptyline) – dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and increased pressure in the eye. They are also associated with hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, headache, rash, nausea, and vomiting, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and sexual dysfunction.
SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft) and SNRIs (e.g. Cymbalta, Effexor) – abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, sedation, tremor, sweating, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, and nausea. SSRIs have also been associated with hyponatremia (low sodium), hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), and seizures.

Have you tried to wean your medication(s) before and failed? There are at least a couple of reasons why that might be.

1. You hadn’t addressed the underlying causes of why you needed the medication(s) in the first place and/or

2. Withdrawal symptoms were too miserable to continue weaning

I took antidepressants for years, and it wasn’t until I discovered holistic functional medicine that I was able to successfully wean off my medication. In our medical training, the name of the game is learning how to bandaid symptoms with drugs. In holistic and functional medical training, the name of the game is correcting the underlying causes of symptoms and disease. This explains why all my previous efforts to wean my medication had been miserable failures. I was an emotional wreck, was dizzy, and had constant ‘brain zaps’. Once I addressed the underlying issues (poor diet, nutritional bankruptcy, hidden food allergies, poor gut health, and hormonal imbalances that weren’t found on typical blood tests), it was only a short matter of time until I successfully weaned off my antidepressant (and 11 other prescription medications). While this has also been the case for countless numbers of my patients over the years, it’s important to note that some patients have more complex issues and may take years to improve their health, physically as well as emotionally. Addressing depression, and many other health issues, requires focusing on mind, body, AND spirit. Here is a list of several things you can do to work towards a successful wean from your antidepressant(s)*:

Click here to read about a few supplements that can naturally alleviate depression and anxiety.
Nutrients that are well known to play a role with mood include Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D**, magnesium, B-6, B12, and folate. These are all very common nutritional deficiencies that we find in my practice. If you suffer with depression, talk to a wellness specialist about proper doses to meet your individual needs.
Exercise, again and again, has shown in studies to be important for warding off anxiety and depression. Too tired or too busy? You can start with a 5 minute walk every day.
Address the mind, body, and spirit with therapy, EFT, meditation, and/or yoga.
Get your hormones balanced by an experienced wellness specialist using nutrition, supplements, and/or bio-identical hormones. Imbalance or deficiency in any number of your hormones (e.g. thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol) can affect your mood, and these issues often won’t be found on typical blood tests. Are your lab results always ‘normal’? Test for hormonal imbalance a better way by completing free symptom questionnaires.
I also recommend a book to many patients called The Healing Code by Dr. Alex Loyd. Read about it here.

*Never attempt to wean your medication(s) without medical supervision.

**One study found that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to depression than those with adequate vitamin D levels.

Forward this article to someone you care about!

Resources for the content of this article:

www.mercola.com

www.webMD.com

www.CDC.gov

www.naturalnews.com

By Mila McManus MD|2015-01-06T07:33:18-05:00January 6th, 2015|Articles, General|

Supplement of the Month: Help with Depression and Anxiety

There are a number of supplements that can be very helpful in supporting our mental health and function. Combined with improving the diet, getting regular exercise, balancing hormones, controlling chronic pain, getting adequate sleep, balancing gut flora (microorganisms), and other non-pharmaceutical approaches to treating depression and anxiety, here is a list of several supplements we frequently use at The Woodlands Institute:

L-Theanine is an amino acid compound found in green tea and is noted for its ability to relax and calm, while improving focus without causing drowsiness.

5-HTP is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant, a shrub principally found in West African countries, and is an amino acid derivative that’s an immediate precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) produced both in the intestinal tract and the brain and is important for promoting calmness and sleep in addition to alleviating depression. It can also be helpful in reducing carbohydrate cravings and supporting healthy eating patterns. 5-HTP should not be taken with antidepressants without medical supervision.

L-Tyrosine is also an amino acid found in the human body that is a precursor for both thyroid hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. These neurotransmitters are needed to support stress response mechanisms, mood, and our ability to concentrate.

Other important supplements we commonly recommend to support mental/brain health include fish oil or krill oil, vitamin D, magnesium, and B-complex.

Discuss with your healthcare provider which supplement(s) may benefit you. We highly recommend medical supervision for use with all of these supplements.

*The product information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment of any disease, nor does it replace professional medical advice. (The FDA makes us say that)

*Warning: Please consult a health care professional before using these products.

By Mila McManus MD|2015-01-03T08:31:45-05:00January 2nd, 2015|Articles, General|

Get a Squeaky Clean Start to the New Year- detox

So January has arrived fresh and new, brimming with possibilities for each of us. Moving forward, putting the past behind us and seeking newness are inherently built into our minds as we move into a new year. Nutritionally, though, you may feel like you are lugging a bit of holiday jolly right along with you into the New Year and not feeling all too jolly about it now. For many it is added pounds, for others it is fatigue and poor digestion and for yet others it is a general malaise, or aches and pains. After all, these are often the effects of the extra indulgences of too much sugar, processed foods, food additives, alcohol, and overeating that are common during the holidays. As Dr. McManus focuses our main article this month on anti-depressants, it is worth noting that our food is a very common source of many anti-nutrients that contribute to depression. So what to do about it?

How about letting your partners in wellness at TWIHW help you get back into gear for a great new year? Whether you want to get help re-vamping your diet, implementing a more formal detoxification program, participating in a weight loss program, finding accountability or starting out the year with a health and wellness check up where goals for your improved health can be identified, we can help! With every one of these approaches, we can offer a multitude of steps that you can take to help detoxify the body employing a wide range of practices from 7 to 21 day detoxification programs, juicing, fasting, cleaning up the diet, utilizing supplements, and promoting weight loss. The good news is that there is a personal plan for you. Not everyone can fast, not everyone wants a strict diet and the same protocol is not right for everyone. Cleansing the body can be done through many avenues and in a way that is achievable for you. Schedule your nutrition appointment today to start fresh, get clean, and feel great for the New Year!

By Mila McManus MD|2021-01-10T08:55:13-05:00January 2nd, 2015|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Dangers of Anti-Acids

by Mila McManus MD

If you have made it a habit of taking anti-acids on a regular basis, whether it’s Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Zegerid, Zantac, Pepcid, Tums, or Rolaids, to name a few, I strongly encourage you to read this article. The FDA cautions against high doses or prolonged use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g. Prevacid, Nexium, and Zegerid) because they’ve been shown to increase the risk of infection, bone fractures, and dementia. Moreover, all anti-acids (e.g. Zantac, Pepcid, and Tums) have 4 main consequences:

1. Increased bacterial overgrowth

2. Impaired nutrient absorption

3. Increased susceptibility to infections

4. Increased risk of cancer and other diseases

You’ve been led to believe that the cause of your heartburn or acid reflux is too much acid. Well, I’m here to tell you that we all have acid and we all need acid for proper processing of the foods we eat. The real problem is dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is what separates the esophagus from the stomach and its job is to keep foods and liquids from coming back up, and to keep stomach acid in the stomach where it belongs. So when you ask yourself why you have too much acid causing your heartburn, you should really be asking yourself why your LES is failing.

Below are some important facts about causes of heartburn, consequences of acid-reducing drugs, and real treatment options:

LOW stomach acid is the usual initial cause of heartburn and reflux.
Low stomach acid allows for bacteria to flourish, whereas adequate amounts of stomach acid that should normally be present help to prevent overgrowth of bacteria because the acid makes a hostile environment in which to grow. It is well documented that acid-reducing drugs promote bacterial overgrowth.
Since stomach acid stimulates the pancreas to secrete enzymes that digest/process carbohydrates, when there’s a lack of stomach acid, carbohydrates cannot be broken down properly (nor can protein or fat, since that requires stomach acid as well).
When you have unprocessed carbohydrates, they will then be fermented by gut bacteria which in turn help the bacteria to thrive, causing overgrowth of these opportunistic microbes.
This also creates an excess of gas production which increases intra-abdominal pressure, which consequently leads to malfunction of the LES.
If it’s gas produced by maldigestion of carbohydrates, (which causes subsequent fermentation by gut bacteria leading to the production of gas) that causes reflux, then it would make sense that reducing intake of carbohydrates and/or reducing the bacterial load in the gut would help reflux. And by golly, it has been shown that both of these independently can improve or resolve reflux.
Dr. McBride, in her book Gut and Psychology Syndrome, mentions that there are opportunistic bacteria in the gut that, when allowed to flourish, can produce and secrete substances that relax the LES, thereby causing reflux of stomach contents.
It’s a well-known fact that low stomach acid reduces absorption of important nutrients such as amino acids, iron, B12, folate, calcium and zinc.

-Amino acids are the building blocks for everything from hormones and enzymes to muscles and neurotransmitters. Your body can make some of its own amino acids, while others (aka “essential amino acids”) must be obtained from the diet. One of these is Tyrosine, which is required to make thyroid hormone. (test yourself for low thyroid function here) Tyrosine also plays an important role in supporting neurotransmitters that affect mood and appetite. Since many of the amino acids, such as phenylalanine and tryptophan, play a crucial role in mental and behavioral health, low stomach acid predisposes people to developing depression, anxiety, and/or other mental health issues.

-Iron is vital for oxygen transport and DNA synthesis. Low iron will lead to anemia, low energy, and hair loss.

-Vitamin B12 plays a wide variety of roles, including supporting metabolism and nerve function. Symptoms of low B12 include fatigue, memory impairment, depression, anemia, numbness and tingling.

-Folate also has many functions in the body. Low folate can lead to birth defects, heart disease, cancers, and blood disorders.

-Your body uses most of its calcium to keep your bones and teeth strong. The rest of the calcium in your body plays key roles in cell signaling, blood clotting, muscle contraction and nerve function.

-Zinc is another vital nutrient that’s needed for the body’s immune system to work properly. It also plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and hormone balance.

Stomach acid is a first line of defense for us. It kills disease-causing microbes that might be hiding in our food, and also prevents bacteria in our intestines from migrating up into the stomach and beyond.
Causes of low stomach acid:

-Anti-Acids, as mentioned above

-Aging

-Auto-immune diseases, particularly of the thyroid and gastrointestinal tract

-Adrenal fatigue (aka adrenal insufficiency)- Cortisol is the main hormone that’s depleted in someone with adrenal fatigue, and cortisol stimulates secretion of stomach acid

-H. pylori, which is a bacterial infection that thrives in the stomach by reducing acid in the stomach (since stomach acid usually prevents growth of bacteria).

Other well-known causes of malfunction of LES—caffeine and alcohol
Treatment options:

-Get evaluated and, if applicable, treated for H.pylori infection
-Get treated for adrenal fatigue by a qualified functional medicine practitioner (click here to test yourself for adrenal fatigue and call 281-298-6742 to speak with a wellness consultant)
-Cut back on or eliminate caffeine and/or alcohol
-Supplement with stomach acid! There are several caveats here, so this is best handled by supervision from a functional medicine practitioner. You can find Betaine HCL supplements with pepsin that provide the stomach acid you need; however, these are best used under supervision to ensure that underlying causes of LES dysfunction are being addressed first, or in conjunction, and that there are no contraindications to using this supplement, such as active stomach ulcers.

Resources:

Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride

PubMed

http://chriskresser.com/heartburn

By Mila McManus MD|2014-12-09T20:43:31-05:00December 9th, 2014|Articles, General|

Acid vs Alkaline Diet

Acid vs Alkaline Diet

We call them symptoms. They are pesky problems that prevent us from feeling our best. They can be almost anything from fatigue, headaches, and body pain to heartburn or constipation. Typically our symptoms are a reflection of congestion and/or inflammation in the body. Just think for a moment about these two words: Congestion and Inflammation.

Consider congestion. It always reminds me of the freeway at rush hour. Even though it says the speed limit is 65 mph, there are just too many of us on the road to allow us to drive at the posted speed. Have you ever thought about your bodily functions occurring at a “posted speed”? If you think about symptoms of congestion, you will see that the body is not functioning at the speed that it should. Constipated? Your bowels are not running at posted speeds. Fatigued? Your energy levels are not running at posted speeds. Brain fog? Your brain is not optimally running at the posted speed. Unable to lose weight despite a healthy diet? Your metabolism may not be running at the speed it should.

Now consider inflammation. All you have to do is Google that definition and you will find the words reddened, swollen, painful, and hot or feverish. Achy joints? Headaches? Heartburn? Diarrhea? Swollen hands, feet, knees, and/or fingers? Skin rashes or other irritations? If you have pain, blood, redness, rawness or swelling anywhere, you can bet there’s inflammation.

Together, inflammation and congestion are the instigators for a good many of our lifestyle diseases today including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, most digestive disorders such as IBS, acid reflux, and many skin conditions. Most of these conditions were not as common 50 years ago before mass numbers of toxins in our foods and before we began following the FDA Food Pyramid and the Standard American Diet.

The human body is an amazingly balanced organism. For every enzyme or hormone in the human body that increases or speeds something up, there is a counterpart that decreases or slows down an activity. The body is balanced. There is a scale in chemistry, which refers to where a substance falls in terms of its acidity or alkalinity. It is called the pH scale and runs from 1 (very acidic) to over 14 (very basic or alkaline). The Human Body averages and optimally functions around a pH of 7.4. That’s right! Right in the middle. Balanced.

So where does nutrition fit into all of this? All food, when digested, leaves either an acid or alkaline ash in the body. If we eat more acidic foods than alkaline foods, our body becomes burdened with neutralizing the acidity and contributes to inflammation and congestion. If we eat too alkaline a diet, many nutrients cannot be metabolized, our blood would not carry oxygen effectively, and our ability to stay hydrated is impaired. All of this to simply say balance in our food choices really does matter.

Most of our regular readers and patients will not be surprised that balance in our diet comes from consuming plenty of plant food in the form of vegetables, herbs, fruits and water. These are the soothing plant foods that carry the alkalizing side of the equation. They cleanse us, detoxify us and create smooth operations in the human body. To ensure we do not become too alkaline, we also need to eat a selection of meats, eggs, and healthy fats, which tend to be more acidic but bring balance to the diet. Together, this creates a balanced diet, neither too acidic nor too alkaline.

Foods which are highly acidic and have contributed to our inflamed and congested bodies include sugar, grains, grain fed meat, pasteurized dairy products, sugary dairy products, damaged fats, over-the-counter drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, food additives and chemicals. It is not hard to see why we are suffering from symptoms and diseases of inflammation and congestion!

There is no need to over analyze or try to measure all of this. The solution is simple! Eat real, whole unprocessed foods from nature, including plenty of vegetables, drink water, and avoid the acidic foods listed above. Your balanced body will take care of the rest and you may be surprised how many of those pesky symptoms disappear.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-12-02T03:48:51-05:00December 2nd, 2014|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Pear, Red Onion, and Walnuts

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Pear, Red Onion, and Walnuts

Makes 4 Large Stuffed Mushrooms

4 Large Portobello Mushrooms (3 inches or more in diameter)
6 small (1 inch) Portobello mushrooms if the above are already stemless
2 organic Bartlett pears
2 small red onions, chopped into chunks
½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
Sea Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Balsamic Vinegar
Grass Fed Butter
Fresh Rosemary and Thyme
Optional: Crumbled Goat Feta Cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Wash the Portobello mushrooms, remove the stems (to use in the stuffing) and pat them dry. Place the mushrooms in a baking dish. (If mushrooms were already stemless, purchase 6 small 1 inch baby Portobello mushrooms to be used in the stuffing).

3. Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a pan on low to medium heat. Pour a small amount of balsamic vinegar in a separate small dish or bowl. Using a kitchen brush, lightly brush the mushrooms first with balsamic vinegar and follow with a light brushing of melted butter. Place the baking dish with mushrooms in the oven for 5-7 minutes until the skin of the mushrooms begins to soften.

4. Use the remaining butter in the pan to sauté the red onion with a pinch of salt until lightly caramelized or browned.

5. Take the mushroom stems or 6 small Portobello’s and roughly chop them. Then wash, dry and roughly chop the pears including the skin. Add the chopped mushrooms and pears to the onions and sauté very lightly, just enough to soften them. Remove from the heat and add the walnuts, a pinch of sea salt, finely chopped rosemary and thyme.

6. Remove the mushrooms from the oven, spoon the mixture into the bowl of the mushroom so that the stuffing slightly overflows and then return them to the oven to bake for another 5-10 minutes until fragrant, the stuffing is soft, and the mushrooms are beginning to slightly shrivel. During the last few minutes, sprinkle with goat feta cheese if desired, baking until cheese is melted.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-12-02T03:23:43-05:00December 2nd, 2014|General, Recipes|

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