Chocolate can protect us against heart disease in several ways. 

2008 study shows that daily dose of chocolate containing 700mg of flavanols for one month reduced blood lipids.  After only 1 week, LDL dropped 6%, HDL rose 9%. 

 

The problem is that flavanols are de-activated during the heating process, so benefits of eating chocolate for this purpose are only viable if you eat raw, unprocessed cocoa. Commercial chocolates contain very little flavanol.  Here are some recipe's for how to make raw chocolate.

Dark chocolate, however made, has been found to increase alertness, improve mood, and has twice the antioxidants of red wine, reports a Cornell University Food Scientist.  Anti-oxidants prevent damage caused by free-radicals, so we live longer and healthier.  Enjoy a square of dark chocolate daily! 

Dr. Wells in Green Living AZ Magazine about Chocolate.

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion.  It means doctors do not know what exactly is causing it or how to cure it.  All labs are normal usually and people are left with addicting pain medications as a "solution".  Fibro contains under its umbrella symptoms such as depression, pain, tender points, fatigue, migraines, brain fog, and insomnia. 

FORTUNATELY there are other solutions, this is where naturopathic medicine comes into play.  Today's blog is about one fantastic resource we have that helps patients with this.  It is called the Myer's Cocktail.  Yes its a cocktail, but of nutrients, given intravenously, over 45 minutes time.  It contains Vitamin C, B complex, Pyridoxine (B6), Dexpanthenol (B5), B12, Magnesium, Calcium and minerals such as Zinc, Selenium, and trace minerals.  Why is this better than taking oral supplements?  Well, we are not exactly sure, but research says that it is, because people get better. 

Check out this link from a Fibromyalgia patient website.  It shows 4 out of 5 patients had 80% improvement in 90% of their symptoms! 

I use this cocktail for patients who need to increase their white blood cell count, reduce inflammation, or detoxify their body.  This includes patients with known conditions such as migraines, cancer, anemia, pain, heavy metal toxicity, valley fever, mono or epstein barr virus, west nile virus.  I also use it with patients with extreme pain, and fatigue of unknown origin. 

Please share this with as many people as you can to get the word out, there is hope for fibromyalgia.

The athlete's nutritional needs are different than most.  They have an increased need for anti-oxidants, certain amino acids, and energy producing micronutrients.  The TOP FIVE are as follows: 

Vitamin C - the speed in which muscle's recover from a workout is dependent on the body's reserves.  Taking vitamin C reduces the soreness after exercise and reduces the enzyme creatine kinase which is associated with damaged muscle. 

Carnitine - is an amino acid that can also repair muscle post workout, it also can increase workout strength and time until the muscles become exhausted.   Carnitine increases cellular energy production by helping us use fatty acids for energy.  When you take Carnitine, you have less muscle soreness and fewer tissue damage.

Vitamin E - protects cells from damage and from losing minerals.  Men who took 300mg of vitamin E every day had higher levels of chromium, manganese, copper, zinc and calcium after training. 

Glutamine - is a branched chain amino acid and is involved in rebuilding muscle.  Also needed for gastrointestinal health. 

CoQ10 - is needed in the mitochondria for energy production.  In one study, at day three and five of the training period, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, a measurement of muscle damage and injury, and lipid peroxides, a measurement of oxidative stress, were lower in the CoQ10 group than in placebo-treated subjects.

Yet another good reason to take Vitamin C daily.  Buffered of course, in the form of calcium or sodium ascorbate.  New research by the Brazilian Archives of Cardiology May 2011, found that the addition of 500mg per day reduced blood pressure by 10% and increased peripheral blood vessel relaxation during stress. 

Vitamin C reduces the effects of oxidative stress on the body, is used to make collagen in tissue and blood vessel repair, and is anti-viral.  Vitamin C is needed for carnitine synthesis.  Carnitine takes fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell to make ATP (ENERGY).  It is also needed to make brain active neurotransmitters such as dopamine, tyrosine, and norepinephrine.  These help us feel awake and focused. 

There are 5 places in the body where Vitamin C is 100 times higher than blood levels. 
Adrenal glands - responsible for energy, focus and many other functions
Pituitary gland - master gland in brain controlling many organ functions
Thymus gland - helpful in stimulating our immune system
Corpus Luteum - important part of ovarian function
Retina - part of the eye

Initial signs of Vitamin C deficiency are low grade fatigue, brown spots on skin, bleeding of gums, easy bruising, and spongy gums.  Don't wait until you see the signs to start taking Vitamin C today!!

Ever wonder how depression happens?  Biochemically, it is well understood.  We need to make the chemicals that produce the neurotransmitters.  This involves amino acids, vitamins and minerals.  Of course our thoughts and feelings and life in general control these pathways as well. 

A study out of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followed 3500 seniors for 12 years.  They monitored their diet and calculated the amount of B6 and B12 they consumed.   All of the participants were depression free at the start of the study.  They consumed anywhere from 0.6 to 200mg of B6 per day and 0.2 to 266 mcg of B12 daily.  The study showed that for every 10mg increase of B6 and 10mcg increase of B12, there was a drop in depression risk by 2%.  This study was published in the American Journal of Nutrition (2010). 

To find out exactly how much B6 or B12 you are absorbing from your food, your levels can be tested via a simple blood test.  And to find out if your neurotransmitters  are in the normal range, a urine test can be done.

We know this is true, we feel it in our body and mind.  After exercise, we feel better!  Our mood improves and our attitude is more positive.  But what is actually happening?  Its not just about more blood flow and endorphins.  Recent research from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicao shows that stem cells are "turned on" when we exercise our bodies.  Stem cells are the cells that stimulate new growth.  The conclusion is that exercise stimulates neurogenesis or the making of new nerve cells.  It can happen at any age, but the most significant time is in our teenage years.  So let's get out there and get moving! 

The weight loss and health benefits of fiber are vast.  When we eat fiber, food passes through the body quicker, less fat is absorbed.  We have a decreased appetite.  Our cholesterol level is decreased.  We use more calories because we have to chew longer and the stomach takes more time to digest.  Best of all, fiber is detoxifying to the body.

Dietary fiber is that part of plant cell walls, such as lignans and polysaccharides, which our bodies cannot digest.  There are two main types of fiber: insoluble and soluble.  The best known insoluble fiber is cellulose.  An example of this type of fiber is wheat bran.  Soluble fibers include: hemicelluloses like oat bran, gums, mucilages found in psyllium seeds, pectins in apples or lignans found in flax.  These water soluble gel-forming fibers provide many beneficial effects.  For your convenience, here is a list of high fiber foods .

Here are a few easy ways to increase our fiber intake:

Buy ground flax seeds.  Flax seeds contain both kinds of fiber. The seed hulls are insoluble, and internal lignans  are soluble.  I have patients grind flax seeds and put them in a shake.  2 heaping tablespoons per day.  They taste nutty and delicious. The lignans protect us against breast cancer, research shows. 

Eat brown rice.  Rice bran fiber helps you stay lean.  It absorbs fat in the large intestine.  You can take it in capsule form or just eat brown rice, 1 cup per day. 

Eat more vegetables.  To get more fiber in, just eat more vegetables, don’t be afraid to sit down to a very large bowl of steamed broccoli and eat the whole thing! 

In addition to loosing weight and feeling great, eating fiber increases your immune system, feeds the good pro-biotic bacteria there, keeps the gut lining healthy and strong, absorbs and pulls out excess hormones, fat and toxins from the body.  Remember, fiber is essential to detoxifying the body.  A diet rich in fiber reduces our risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, gall stones, and kidney stones.  The healthiest people on the planet are the ones that consume larger amounts of fiber. 
For a personalized detoxification  plan, contact Dr Wells directly at naturalhealth@drwendywells.com.

Sometimes stimulating healing can be SIMPLE! 

When hot water touches our body, the blood at the surface moves deeper inside.  Then when cold water touches, blood is drawn to the surface.  This pumping action is beneficial because it moves blood which is detoxifying.  The movement brings nutrients to the area and removes toxins.   This simple remedy method can be used for many conditions.  For example, if you have a sore throat, you can put a cold compress on your throat, and cover it with wool.  This will draw out the heat from your sore throat.  Your body will move blood to the surface to warm the cold cloth, drawing the pain or "heat" from your throat.  This blog article gives the details http://www.natural-health-restored.com/heating-compress.html. 

Another type of hydrotherapy is called Contrast hydrotherapy .  Here you are using repeated cycles of hot and cold to stimulate healing in a particular are of your body.  Perfect for sore joints, menstrual cramps, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow. 

Do you take a hot shower in the morning?  Well one great way to utilize the power of water is to finish your lovely hot shower with 30 seconds of COLD water.  Invigorating!  Your body will be warm enough from the hot, to handle the cold.  You will stay warmer on a cold day and healthier all winter if you do this simple exercise. 

This winter weather brings with it the "cold and flu" season.  We are all more susceptible when we eat more sugar than usual.  Why not make sugar free holiday treats?  Remember, one teaspoon can depress your immune system for 6 hours.  Its fun to bring the party platter that everyone can feel good about eating!  
There are plenty of sugar free recipe's out there online.  Splenda and Equal are not good substitutes for sugar.  (that's a story for another day)  

If you do get sick this holiday, I found one super recipe for an immune tonic that has been used for centuries.  Elderberry syrup can be made easily in a mason jar right in your own kitchen.  Its natural medicinal properties boost your immune system fast, so its best to take it when you first notice symptoms.  This is not something to take to a holiday party, but it would be great to have on board if you need it.  If you do get sick, and you are wondering if you have a cold or the flu, here is a guide  that will lead you to the answer.  If you are nearby in Scottsdale area, you may want to come in for an immune boost injection that lasts for up to 6 weeks.

Did you ever really look at the labels of some of the foods you eat?  Have you ever wondered WHY all that stuff is in there?  I often do, then I put the box or bag back on the shelf!  We are meant to eat live foods, foods that are close to life, not those that have been rolled, pressed, shaped, put in plastic, put in boxes, shipped... well you get the picture.  I am a big fan of eating local, shopping at farmers markets when possible, and buying foods that are not pre-packaged.  I like this blog about the dangers of the additives and preservatives that are put in our foods.  Once you make the switch to whole foods, your health will surely benefit.  After beginning this new way of eating, you may be interested in further detoxification of your body.