We hope you are all enjoying the summer. We had several wonderful visits from family and friends during July coming to see the beauty of Coeur d’Alene!
When it comes to natural health, two themes seem to be consistent. The most predominant one is how natural support for certain conditions is ignored by the mainstream. We go to seminars, we read studies, and we talk about it amongst our friends and associates, yet these simple remedies of diet changes and nutritional supplementation remain a mystery to the public. The second theme is the opposite. This concerns the marketing hype of the latest “discovery” – the new diet, the new “superfood” – the simple and fast solution to all our health problems.
We have two books to bring to your attention that address these two ends of the spectrum. The first is Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain by William J. Walsh, PhD. This book addresses mental health and describes Dr. Walsh’s many successes with his patients using nutritional supplements rather than medications. The second one, Toxic Superfoods: How Oxalate Overload is Making You Sick and How to Get Better by Sally Norton looks at the health risks associated with eating too many of certain plants that have been labeled “superfoods.”
Look for upcoming articles later this month with more information from these books but here are some quick summaries.
NUTRIENT POWER by WILLIAM WALSH, PhD
This book was written in 2012 and updated in 2014. Dr. Walsh has worked with over 30,000 patients with a variety of mental health issues. The book discusses many familiar themes: biochemical individuality and mental health, brain chemistry, methylation, oxidative stress, how nutrients support brain health, and epigenetics and mental health. The important takeaway is that everyone is different in how their biochemistry and their epigenetics respond to both natural substances and medications. What works for one does not work for everyone.
He provides a list of nutrients that he has used successfully in practice to help his patients with schizophrenia, depression, autism, behavioral disorders and ADHD, and Alzheimer’s. He uses a variety of tests to determine which specific nutritional approach best matches each individual patient.
Matching nutrients to specific individuals – this is exactly what we do with muscle testing. We can determine from the long list of nutrients the ones that will benefit the client.
TOXIC SUPERFOODS by SALLY NORTON
This book was published this January of 2023, so it is still “hot off the press.” It was recommended by a client who believes this was her underlying issue. The topic of oxalates is not new to me. I believe I have written previously (although I could not find it!) about the doctor who wanted to improve his health so went on a spinach salad for lunch binge and withing several weeks developed kidney stones. What makes this book different is the depth of documented information presented. It goes deeper into the subject than any other book I have seen on this topic. It is full of charts, tables and lists with practical information.
I have always suggested that certain leafy greens, such as spinach, should be cooked to reduce the effect of oxalic acid. After reading this book, I would probably avoid spinach all together and there are more “superfoods” that I would recommend removing from your diet, including almond flour and almond milk and a few others which will be highlighted in upcoming summaries of the book.
Essentially, the author is addressing the question that while plants contain many beneficial nutrients, they also contain some toxic ones and in some cases the risk from the toxic outweighs the perceived benefits. One example that we have highlighted in the past is soy. For a refresher on that topic click here: The Truth About Soy
We have also previously explored the hype of “antioxidants” as there is more to that story as well. Here is that article: The Antioxidant Myth
And last, but probably not least, is the “vegan bible” – the China Study and misinformation about the benefits of plants and the claiming how meat causes cancer. Please review that article here: What The China Study Really Found
More to follow….
SEPTEMBER APPOINTMENTS IN BELGIUM, WISCONSIN
The next appointments in Belgium, Wisconsin are September 11-13 and will be at the same location as in June – 642 Main Street. There are a few open appointment times, so please let us know if you would like to schedule an appointment or would like to refer a friend or loved one.
