As you age, you’ve probably experienced a significant decline in your immune function. Your body produces fewer immune cells, making you more susceptible to illness. You may become more prone to inflammation. The lining of your cells, called the endothelium, becomes compromised, and your circulation and oxygenation become less efficient. You even produce less bone marrow. All in all, these issues make you more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections and even to cancer.

That’s the bad news. But there is good news! There are steps you can take to enhance your immune function and reduce chronic inflammation. This could lessen your susceptibility to these diseases. And one of the best places to start may surprise you.

If you search the Internet, you’ll see a wide range of arguments on which mushrooms taste the best and are the healthiest to eat. But there’s no argument that mushrooms can offer you a number of health benefits. Take Reishi mushrooms, for example. They strengthen your white blood cells, helping them do their job of killing bacteria and viruses. They also enable you to better manage cytokines. These include growth factors, interferon, and interleukin, which are pivotal components of healthy immune function.

Asian countries have used Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, for thousands of years to promote health and longevity, and for good reason. Not only do they support the immune system, they also help control blood glucose levels, prevent liver damage, and limit the growth of bacteria.

If you’ve ever had chicken pox, herpes 1 or 2 (cold sores or genital herpes), or shingles, Reishi mushrooms are your friend. These mushrooms strengthen your natural killer cells and send them out to destroy cells infected with the herpes virus. Cytokines attach themselves to viral cells and prevent these cells from estab- lishing themselves in your body.

If you’ve had shingles in particular, you may still be suffering from what’s called “post-herpetic neuralgia,” which is lingering pain where there was once a her- petic breakout. You may have assumed that you’ll simply have to suffer from this pain for the rest of your life, but that’s not true at all. Believe it or not, mushrooms can help quite a bit in this situation. An easy way to get the right types of mush- rooms is to take MycoPhyto Complex, a blend of medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi. Not only are these mushrooms great for your immune system on their own, they’re actually grown on a blend of immune-supporting herbs and organic brown rice. The adage “you are what you eat” holds true for mushrooms, so this unique cultivation method makes them even more powerful.

To really knock out post-herpetic neu- ralgia, give it the one-two punch of MycoPhyto Complex and Advanced Nerve Support. The MycoPhyto will give your immune system the boost it needs to get rid of the infected cells once and for all. And the Advanced Nerve Support (800-791-3395) will help your nerves recover and heal from the infection’s attack. After about three months on this combination, you’ll likely forget all about the pain. Most of my patients experience significant improvement within this time frame.

And shingles isn’t the only disease MycoPhyto can help you recover from. If you suffered from mono or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) you may not even know that you had it. But it can leave you susceptible to unidentifiable fatigue. EBV is also a member of the herpes virus family. Once you contract this virus, it can remain latent in your body and be reactivated, leading to bouts of fatigue. But since those Reishi mushrooms are so effective against herpes viruses, MycoPhyto can help you fight the fatigue if EBV is the source.

Moreover, because MycoPhyto bolsters the immune system, it’s effective not only at helping you finally resolve and recover from old infections, but at defending you from new infections as well. I often recommend it during cold and flu season to help my patients have the immune support they need to avoid getting sick or to kick the infection if they do end up with one of these seasonal maladies.

I mentioned that Reishi mushrooms have a number of benefits even beyond supporting the immune system. One of these is a unique ability to protect cellular DNA by improving antioxidant capacity. This can make Reishi mushrooms particu- larly beneficial for patients who are experi- encing fatigue after completing chemotherapy. If this is you, talk to your doctor
about including Reishi mushrooms or a combination like MycoPhyto to enhance your recovery and improve your well- being.

While I’m a big fan of Reishi mush- rooms, they aren’t the only type that can benefit your health. Another great option is Cordyceps, also found in MycoPhyto. Cordyceps is unique in that it’s actually a combination of a caterpillar and a fungus found at altitudes higher than 1,500 feet above sea level. It’s been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tibetan medicine for more than 2,000 years to treat colds, the flu, asthma, kidney and liver issues, and fatigue from chronic infections or inflammation. Penicillin is actually derived from Cordyceps, giving you an idea of just how powerful this mushroom is.

Cordyceps is also great at reducing fatigue. In fact, one Chinese study in mice found that mice who received high doses of Cordyceps experienced a 73% increase in endurance in a swimming test. A different study in humans found that Cordyceps improves lactate energy metabolism within cells, enhancing anaerobic physical performance.

One final mushroom I’d like to introduce you to is the Coriolus versicolor, or turkey tail mushroom. This well-researched mushroom is special in that researchers have found that it improves cancer survival rates by modulating immune response and helping the body prevent regrowth of tumors. It also may enhance the results of chemotherapy, while reducing the side effects of both radiation and chemotherapy. These anti-tumor effects have been identified and studied in many different types of cancers.

One study in particular found that extracts from this mushroom helped prevent prostate cancer cell growth. Other studies of cancer cell lines have found that the extract can inhibit the growth of gas- tric cancer cells, lung cancer cells, leukemia cells, and lymphoma cells. Still another study found that turkey tail mushroom could help prevent breast cancer. If you or a loved one is fighting cancer, talk to your medical team about incorporating turkey tail mushroom into your treatment plan. It could be very helpful in both fighting the cancer itself and mitigating the negative side effects of other treatment options.

Whether you enjoy mushrooms as part of your diet or not, they can be a great addition to your supplement regimen. If you’re over the age of 50, a formula like MycoPhyto Complex can be particularly beneficial in supporting your immune system. You’ll also want to consider incorporating a formula such as this one into your routine if you’re worried about contracting a cold or the flu or know that you’re recovering from a herpes-related virus, no matter when you contracted it. There’s a rea- son traditional forms of medicine have recommended these mushrooms for fighting almost every ailment under the sun – by supporting the immune system, they can help the body no matter what it’s up against! You can order MycoPhyto Complex by calling 800-791-3395. Be sure to give them offer code WH3317 when calling.

Stopping Neck Pain Without a Chiropractor or Medications

If you’re living with chronic neck pain, you know how much most of us take our necks for granted. We’re constantly twist- ing and turning them throughout the day without giving the process any thought. But for those with neck pain, these thousands of motions can be excruciating. Compounding the problem is that doctors often aren’t sure how to give you relief. Chiropractic care may help some people and some types of pain, but it doesn’t help everyone. Other doctors may suggest a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which definitely isn’t a good long-term solution.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take that may offer relief from chronic pain – or prevent that occasional twinge you feel from turning into a full-blown problem. You can mix and match these solutions to see what might work for you. But before you start going through the list, quickly assess your routine to make sure that you aren’t creating the problem through bad habits. There’s no sense trying most of these solutions if you can eliminate the pain simply by addressing the root cause. So first make sure you aren’t doing any sort of repetitive or prolonged motion that puts strain on your neck. This includes cradling your phone with your neck, sleeping at an odd angle, or having poor posture while you work at a computer.

If you’re guilty of any of these tendencies, first take steps to correct them. Get a hands-free headset if you spend a lot of time on the phone. Make sure your desk chair and computer monitor are adjusted to a comfortable level. You can even download apps that will send you reminders to check your posture periodically throughout the day to help you kick the slouching habit. And if you have neck pain after sleeping, you can try a water pillow. Many people like these because they can customize the firmness by adding or draining water. The ‘Snuz’ pillow, Temperpedic pillow, and Therapeutica pillow are all additional options and can be purchased online. Experiment until you find the best way to keep your neck in line with your spine as you rest.

If correcting these habits doesn’t solve the problem, you may need some other remedies. You can begin with the following:

The first solution is something we should all be doing, whether we have neck pain or not: stay hydrated. I’m sure you know by now that most of your body is actually water, and that includes the discs separating your vertebrae. In fact, when you were born, your discs were about 80% water. Over time, this amount can decrease, making it harder for your discs to maintain their height and volume. This in turn throws off the alignment of your spine and puts pressure on it, leading to neck pain. Drinking water throughout the day can help prevent these discs from degenerating further.

Next, try supplementing with magnesium, particularly if your neck pain is related to a muscle issue. Magnesium helps your muscles contract and then relax, easing the tightness that’s causing your discomfort. While you’ll find magnesium in fruits and vegetables, beans, soy, and whole grains, if you’re already eating plenty of these foods, you may need an additional supplement. Or you can absorb it topically by soaking in an Epsom salt bath or applying magnesium oil directly to the area. Just be careful not to overdo it by applying or ingesting too much too soon. Start gradually and work your way up until you find what works for you.

You may also need to enlist the help of another professional. Acupuncturists, massage therapists, and physical therapists can all be beneficial. If you’re interested in trying massage, I recommend remedial massage for neck pain. The massage therapist will use oil to help relax the muscles and improve local circulation. He or she can even use magnesium oil if that seems to help you.

Physical therapists can be particularly helpful if there’s an underlying cause of your pain that you haven’t been able to identify. They can also assist you if you’re recovering from an injury by teaching you how to avoid hurting yourself again and by giving you tips on how to strengthen surrounding muscles to give weaker ones a chance to heal.

If your neck pain is accompanied by headaches or a numb or tingling sensation in your head, neck, shoulders, or hands, ice can help relieve the discomfort. Try applying ice between your thumb and index finger, a couple inches behind your ear, or between your eyebrows, and see if any of these offer relief.

While exercising might seem like a bad idea if you have neck pain, it can actu- ally be very beneficial, as long as you do it properly. Rather than engaging in high- impact, jarring activities, try swimming, which can help reduce inflammation and reduce pain and stiffness.

Even just spending some time in water that comes up to neck level can help, particularly if the water is warm. Try squatting until the water comes up to your chin and then holding the squat while you gently turn your head back and forth. You’ll work your lower body while stretch- ing tense neck muscles.

From there, try a crawl or a breast-stroke. If you’re a strong swimmer, try going the length of the pool before you come up for air—this will give you a great workout while avoiding excessive neck movement.

Another one of my favorite remedies is Reduloxin. This supplement will help reduce the inflammation that can con- tribute to neck pain. It’s a safer alternative to NSAIDs, and will support your immune system. Try taking two tablets twice a day. You can order it by calling 800-791-3395. You can also try the topical Trauma One Cream or T-Relief (found online at Amazon) as needed. These homeopathic remedies both topically and internally can help ease chronic discomfort.

Chronic neck pain can permeate your entire life, but with these remedies, it doesn’t have to take over. Take a look at what might be contributing to your pain, then consider these solutions to see what helps relieve it.

Simple Neck Pain Exercises

You can do these each just three times and repeat twice daily.

(1) Lateral Rotation. Turn your head to the left so that your nose is over your shoulder. Return your head to the cen- ter. Repeat on the right side.

(2) Neck Circle. Rotate your head gently in a full circle three times. Repeat three times in the other direction.

(3) Front Flexion. Clasp your hands behind your head and gently guide your head down bringing your chin towards your chest.

(4) Head Tilt. Tip your head back gently as far as it can go pointing your chin to the ceiling. Return to center position.

(5) Lateral Head Tilt. Try moving your left ear to your left shoulder. Return to center. Gently move your right ear to your right shoulder.

(6) Shoulder Rotation. This one is not really for your neck but helps to relax your trapezius muscles which are in your shoulders and have a working relationship with your neck. Rotate
your shoulders forward three times and then backwards three times.

Why Your Diabetes May Not Be Caused by Diet Alone

When you read the labels of natural skincare, beauty, and other personal care products, many of them include the claim that they are “phthalate-free.” But many people don't know what phthalates are or whether it's really necessary to avoid them. If you've been on the fence about whether phthalate-free products are worth it, let me tell you: they are.

Phthalates are chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system, which is responsible for secreting precious hormones. It turns out that phthalates not only disrupt us metabolically but they may also increase our risk of a disease that's already running rampant in America — Alzheimer's.

Phthalates seem to be everywhere. They aren't just in beauty products like moisturizers, soaps, and nail polishes. They're also in products such as adhesives, electronics, and toys. Diabetes seems to be just as common; in 2012, nearly 1 in 10 Americans had the disease. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital wondered if there might be a connection between these two seemingly unrelated issues.

Looking for an association, the researchers analyzed phthalate concentra- tion in the urine of 2,350 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They con- trolled the sample for socio-demographic, dietary, and behavioral factors, and sure enough, the higher the concentration of phthalates, the more likely the woman was to have diabetes.

In fact, those with the highest levels of mono-benzyle phthalate and mono- isobutyl phthalate were almost two times more likely to have the disease than those with the lowest levels. Having levels above the median of mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate were connected with a 60% increase in diabetes risk. And even moder- ately high levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were associated with a 70% jump in risk.

While more research is needed to determine whether phthalates actually cause diabetes, this association is enough to give us pause. Keep looking for natural, phthalate-free products. Increasing dia- betes risk may be just one of a myriad of ways phthalates can harm your health.

If you feel you have been continually exposed and want to have a ‘spring detox,' consider PectaSol Detox Formula  (800-791-3395). Taking only two-to-three capsules daily at bedtime can gently detoxify your body of not only phthalates but heavy metals as well.

Nutrition Detective

The Real Cause of Heart Disease (Hint: It isn’t saturated fat)

If you were still putting on your poodle skirt expecting to be invited to a sock hop on a Friday night, people might think you were nuts. After all, a lot has changed since the 1950s. Fashion is different. Social activities are different. The whole world of the Internet was inconceivable back then. So why are we still relying on science that orig- inated in that decade to guide our approach to avoiding heart disease?

Since the 1950s, we’ve obtained far more reliable information. And yet, if you were to ask average Americans what to avoid eating to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, you’d likely hear “saturated fat” in the majority of their answers. That idea originated with the researcher Ancel Keys, who began conducting observational studies in the 1950s. The American Heart Association and the federal government took his theory and ran with it. They offered many recommendations over the years that Americans should reduce saturated fat consumption to help them avoid atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.

The problem is that saturated fat might not actually be the true enemy. After all, people don’t just consume straight saturated fat. They get it from food. And food contains plenty of other components – including sugar. In fact, foods high in saturated fat are often quite high in sugar as well. Keys might have been right in noting that people who ate a lot of these foods have higher heart disease risks. But he focused his attention on the wrong target.

Researchers have finally begun reevaluating the conventional wisdom regarding whether saturated fat is the real enemy. A recent study published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Disease evaluated epidemiology and clinical trial data regarding cardiovascular disease risk, incidence, and mortality. The researchers believe that sugar, particularly refined added sugar, does indeed raise your risk of cardiovascular disease more than saturated fat.

Overall, what’s most important when it comes to reducing your cardiovascular disease risk through your dietary choices is consuming whole, unprocessed foods. Some saturated fats can actually raise your levels of healthy cholesterol. And while you want to avoid added sugar, you don’t need to stay away from the carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables. Instead, stay away from sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. The more added sugar you consume, the greater your risk of obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which all also increase your cardiovascular disease risk.

The food industry has invented plenty of new processed items in the past several decades. But rather than trying to keep up with those changes, keep up with health recommendations instead. Whole, unprocessed foods that humans have been eating for centuries are your best bet for keeping your heart healthy.

DiNicolantonio, James J., Sean C. Lucan, and James H. O’Keefe. “The Evidence for Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to Coronary Heart Disease.” Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 2015; DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2015.11.006.

LETTERS

Q: Is breast cancer really inherited?– Alice G., Orlando, Florida

Dear Alice,

Statistics tell us that most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history. And, just because a family member has had breast cancer doesn’t mean that you will get breast cancer. We do know that an inherited BRCA 1 gene and BRCA 2 gene make us more susceptible. But only 10% of women with breast cancer actually have these inherited genes. Usually these BRCA-gene positive women contract breast cancer at a young age and have several family members with ovarian and/or breast cancer.

Q. I’ve been diagnosed recently with chronic sinusitis by my ENT. What can I do to lessen the occurrence of episodes? I’m tired of the various drugs that don’t seem to really do much. – Laura H., Pensacola, Florida

Dear Laura,

Chronic sinusitis is complicated. It’s important to rule out any offending envi- ronmental and dietary issues. Some people with chronic sinusitis are sensitive to certain outdoor allergens. Others are sensi- tive to certain forms of dairy, such as cold milk, yet can tolerate butter just fine.

Some people get a stuffed nose as soon as they eat sugar or whole wheat, yet they do just fine on toasted white bread. Bottom line: Everybody is different.

While you’re experimenting, here are some home remedies you may want to try. Taking apple cider vinegar, water, and a bit of Manuka honey with a couple of meals a day will often improve the digestion and lead to less congestion. Using a probiotic will also aid in improving the digestion. Digestive aids such as the Integrative Digestive Formula (800-791-3395) is most helpful in improving digestion. If you feel you’re getting congested, try doing a salt water nasal rinse as soon as you notice.

Recently a patient showed me a nasal irrigation device that she was using with great success called a Navage (www.navage.com). It’s different than the Neti pot, as it has a suction/vacuum action that seems to gently pull excess mucus out of the sinuses. In addition, there is a 1,000 year old Chinese patented medicine called Pe Min Kan that’s remarkable for clearing the sinuses. You can find this online at Amazon (www.amazon.com/Nose-Allergy- Pills-Plum-Flower/dp/B0012SDVYG).

Q. I’m a vegetarian and want to know if Greek yogurt is healthier than other yogurt? – Amy A., Los Angeles, CA

Dear Amy,

Both Greek and regular yogurt without sugar are usually full of probiotics and healthy. Greek is exceptional in that it’s more aggressively strained to remove most of the liquid whey, sugar and lactose, giving it a thicker texture. In the same amount of Greek yogurt, you can get almost twice the protein (6 ounce serving contains about 15 grams of protein) as in regular yogurt.
This is important for you as a vegetarian looking for additional protein sources. But it’s great for omnivores as well.