One of my patients -- let's call him Dave -- found out that his cholesterol was up. His GP immediately prescribed Lipitor, a common cholesterol-lowering drug.
Glancing over the prescription, Dave said, "Listen, I don't exercise. I'm eating junk food most of the time. I'm going to clean up my diet and work out. Let's see how that goes. Can I hold off on the drugs for now?"
Usually doctors will agree that exercise and diet are a good first route. But not this time...
"No, that won't help," said his GP. "Both your parents have high cholesterol so it MUST be genetic."
You've seen the commercials, haven't you? Where they say: "Cholesterol comes from TWO sources: From FOOD or from YOUR GENES. Talk to your doctor about the new so-and-so drug that will control..."
Yes, genes can cause someone to lean towards high cholesterol (just like some people lean towards being overweight). I don't think, however, that many people give exercise and diet a solid effort before they conclude it's "genetics."
Even if it is due to "genetics," does that conclusively mean that exercise and diet won't help? Absolutely not. I'm not saying that walking and broccoli will cure you every time, but it would be difficult to argue that they won't have a positive impact.
Let me put this another way... If Dave's parents lived off fruits and vegetables, swam 40 laps everyday and STILL had high cholesterol then chances are we need to take further action.Yet, as was the case, Dave's folks still considered French-fries a serving of vegetables and they exercised as rarely as an oak tree.
So, yes, Dave probably did inherit high cholesterol from his parents... but it sounds to me more like they passed it down habitually, NOT genetically. They're the ones who taught him these e-food diet and, probably by example, to neglect physical fitness.
Well, Dave cut the red meats and refined sugars out of his diet, started eating more vegetables and whole grains. He reduced his trips to the fast food hut. He started eating more fruit instead of sugary snacks. Never a jogger before, he took it up 3-4 times a week, for five kilometers at a time.
Strange thing, he found... he liked it.
And, not surprisingly...
...six months later, Dave had his cholesterol checked again, and it went right back down to NORMAL. No hint of a problem.
"This is cool!" Dave told me. "I'm gonna tell my parents, 'cause they need to get off their butts too. They're thinking it's all genetic and they need to stay on these drugs because THEIR parents died from a heart attack."
Well, Dave's example got his parents walking each day and eating better. Now their cholesterol is down to normal and they're off the drugs.
If Dave hadn't made the first move, I bet his kids would be labeled with the "cholesterol genes." Same with his grandkids. A whole family tree taking drugs they don't need.
If you've been told your cholesterol is high, and you would like to lower it naturally -- avoiding costly drugs and their side-effects -- then here's how I can help:
* Pin-Point the MAIN Causes of Your High Cholesterol: Many factors cause high cholesterol in different people. Sometimes it's diet, sometimes it's lifestyle, stress, lack of exercise, genes or the result of another illness. The first thing I'll do is examine your case history, ask you key questions and run some non-invasive tests. Then I'll be able to determine what is the main issue we need to address to quickly start dropping your cholesterol points and extending your life.
* Easy Cholesterol Lowering Diet: I can put together a list of tasty, natural foods to replace typical (and not so typical) culprits that directly or indirectly fill you up with artery-clogging cholesterol. Using a special Food Pharmacy computer software system, I can create a diet plan tailored to your body type and needs. This should produce faster results than following a generic plan written for the general public.
* Herbal Shortcuts: I can determine, for example, which herbs or vitamins/minerals would help insulin better bind to sugars in your bloodstream -- so they don't get sent to your liver and recycled as cholesterol-laden fat.
If your cholesterol is above 5.2, you're body is at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Would you rather be like Dave? In three to six months you could drop back down into the risk-free zone. Call my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402 to book a "Conquer Your Cholesterol" appointment.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. Check out the article about fish oil in the April InnerCircle Newsletter (mailed to active patients). Fish oil helps your insulin bind to sugars so it doesn't get sent to your liver and recycled as fatty cholesterol. Fish oil also cuts cravings so you don't absolutely, must, can't-live-without a chocolate bar this afternoon.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
10-Year Old Boy Sentenced to Life
Last Monday at dinner, Ella, my two and a half year old daughter, eats three mouthfuls of food and sets down her spoon. Turning to me, with a slightly confused look on her face, she says:
"Wan choc-lick."
"Ella," I say, "just eat your dinner."
"No! Wan choc-lick!"
And she goes running off looking for her Easter baskets -- which we had conveniently RE-hid.
Hiding the horde works if you persevere for a few days. Easter night we stashed most of their candies away. On Monday night we hid even more. It's the whole out-of-sight, out-of-mind idea.
They don't even notice their inventory has diminished.
What else can you do, when family and friends drop by with enough sweets to turn your home into the set for the next remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"?
Now, I know I've talked about sugar for a few emails, and I promise after this Easter story I won't mention the S word again for a while.
It's just the amount of su... uh, glucose the average child is consuming is dangerous. If you think I'm being an alarmist, good. Never at any time in recorded history did so many teenagers have Type 2 Diabetes. In North America, diabetes is an epidemic cutting years off peoples' lives and adding a number of complications including kidney disease and vision problems.
One warning sign that diabetes is approaching: elevated cholesterol levels.
So when you start seeing high cholesterol in children, this isn't good news.
The American Heart Association currently estimates that 10% of children aged 12 to 19 have dangerous levels of total cholesterol towering above 200 (approximately 5.5 in Canadian units).
Now get this...
In February, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a powerful drug, lovastatin, for use by children to help them lower their cholesterol levels.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has pointed out that there's been little research into the long-term effects of this drug on children. For example, one study lasted only 12 months with boys and six months with girls. Hardly enough time to see what side-effects the drug will have.
Statin drugs are not like a mild antibiotic, with respect to their side effects. They go right to the liver and stop cholesterol from being produced. It requires a health care professional monitoring your liver every three months to make sure nothing is damaged. Statins literally block an enzyme in your liver from making cholesterol. You need to make sure it doesn't block any others in the process.
You see, cholesterol is necessary to sustain every single cell in our body. That's why our body produces it. The problem comes when it starts producing too much or we ingest too much.
So why are these kids producing too much cholesterol? Most kids, after all, aren't eating a pound of butter, a quarter-pound of steak and other animal fats. Cholesterol is only found in animal products such as eggs, meat, butter, etc. OR from your own"animal" -- your body.
Now, I promised not to talk about s***r, here, but I'm afraid it all comes back to it. Kids are not getting high cholesterol from steak -- they are more likely getting it from a Snickers bar...
* Too much sweets go into the blood.
* Their body can't burn it off fast enough.
* Excess glucose is sent to their liver where it turns into fat (which includes cholesterol).
Here are four things you can do to help your kids (or yourself) avoid being sentenced to life with statins or any other drug:
1) Avoid refined sug** which absorbs far quicker than even a hyper-active kid can handle. Focus more on fresh whole fruit, which takes longer to break down.
2) Make sure your kids are active enough (e.g. kicking a ball around, not sitting in front of the TV). Exercise will burn up the corn syrup in their blood stream, so that it doesn't get turned into fat (and cholesterol).
3) Often what happens is all those M&Ms, day-in and day-out, causes "insulin-resistance." That's where, the insulin in your blood (which usually helps absorb glucose) stops working as effectively. This, of course, can lead to diabetes. There are a number of supplements I offer at my clinic to help get your child's insulin back into shape.
4) Stress-reduction. Don't think kids don't experience stress. Some kids look at school with the same appeal as being drafted for the military. If children feel like they are in a "threatening" situation then their adrenal glands will send out cortisol. Cortisol tells the liver to dump its "emergency" supply of stored glucose from the liver into the blood. Once again, an increase in glucose levels. So talk to your kids and see how you can help them out and make them feel safer and calmer.
If I can help your children or you avoid or get off unnecessary medication, that may have serious side-effects and dependency issues, please book a "Conquer Your Cholesterol" consult with meat (519) 739-2402.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. Check out the article about fish oil in the April InnerCircle Newsletter (mailed to active patients). Fish oil helps your insulin absorb s***r so it doesn't get sent to your liver and recycled as fatty cholesterol. Fish oil also cuts cravings so you don't absolutely, must, can't-live-without a chocolate bar this afternoon. Feel free to use the enclosed coupon to stock up this month.
P.P.S. Next week, I'm going to share with you a story from one of my patients (let's call him "Dave"). Dave's GP told him that because he had "high-cholesterol genes" in his family there was no point exercising or improving his diet, and that he needed to start drug therapy immediately. Dave didn't agree, and six months later he... well, I'll tell you next week.
"Wan choc-lick."
"Ella," I say, "just eat your dinner."
"No! Wan choc-lick!"
And she goes running off looking for her Easter baskets -- which we had conveniently RE-hid.
Hiding the horde works if you persevere for a few days. Easter night we stashed most of their candies away. On Monday night we hid even more. It's the whole out-of-sight, out-of-mind idea.
They don't even notice their inventory has diminished.
What else can you do, when family and friends drop by with enough sweets to turn your home into the set for the next remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"?
Now, I know I've talked about sugar for a few emails, and I promise after this Easter story I won't mention the S word again for a while.
It's just the amount of su... uh, glucose the average child is consuming is dangerous. If you think I'm being an alarmist, good. Never at any time in recorded history did so many teenagers have Type 2 Diabetes. In North America, diabetes is an epidemic cutting years off peoples' lives and adding a number of complications including kidney disease and vision problems.
One warning sign that diabetes is approaching: elevated cholesterol levels.
So when you start seeing high cholesterol in children, this isn't good news.
The American Heart Association currently estimates that 10% of children aged 12 to 19 have dangerous levels of total cholesterol towering above 200 (approximately 5.5 in Canadian units).
Now get this...
In February, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a powerful drug, lovastatin, for use by children to help them lower their cholesterol levels.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has pointed out that there's been little research into the long-term effects of this drug on children. For example, one study lasted only 12 months with boys and six months with girls. Hardly enough time to see what side-effects the drug will have.
Statin drugs are not like a mild antibiotic, with respect to their side effects. They go right to the liver and stop cholesterol from being produced. It requires a health care professional monitoring your liver every three months to make sure nothing is damaged. Statins literally block an enzyme in your liver from making cholesterol. You need to make sure it doesn't block any others in the process.
You see, cholesterol is necessary to sustain every single cell in our body. That's why our body produces it. The problem comes when it starts producing too much or we ingest too much.
So why are these kids producing too much cholesterol? Most kids, after all, aren't eating a pound of butter, a quarter-pound of steak and other animal fats. Cholesterol is only found in animal products such as eggs, meat, butter, etc. OR from your own"animal" -- your body.
Now, I promised not to talk about s***r, here, but I'm afraid it all comes back to it. Kids are not getting high cholesterol from steak -- they are more likely getting it from a Snickers bar...
* Too much sweets go into the blood.
* Their body can't burn it off fast enough.
* Excess glucose is sent to their liver where it turns into fat (which includes cholesterol).
Here are four things you can do to help your kids (or yourself) avoid being sentenced to life with statins or any other drug:
1) Avoid refined sug** which absorbs far quicker than even a hyper-active kid can handle. Focus more on fresh whole fruit, which takes longer to break down.
2) Make sure your kids are active enough (e.g. kicking a ball around, not sitting in front of the TV). Exercise will burn up the corn syrup in their blood stream, so that it doesn't get turned into fat (and cholesterol).
3) Often what happens is all those M&Ms, day-in and day-out, causes "insulin-resistance." That's where, the insulin in your blood (which usually helps absorb glucose) stops working as effectively. This, of course, can lead to diabetes. There are a number of supplements I offer at my clinic to help get your child's insulin back into shape.
4) Stress-reduction. Don't think kids don't experience stress. Some kids look at school with the same appeal as being drafted for the military. If children feel like they are in a "threatening" situation then their adrenal glands will send out cortisol. Cortisol tells the liver to dump its "emergency" supply of stored glucose from the liver into the blood. Once again, an increase in glucose levels. So talk to your kids and see how you can help them out and make them feel safer and calmer.
If I can help your children or you avoid or get off unnecessary medication, that may have serious side-effects and dependency issues, please book a "Conquer Your Cholesterol" consult with meat (519) 739-2402.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. Check out the article about fish oil in the April InnerCircle Newsletter (mailed to active patients). Fish oil helps your insulin absorb s***r so it doesn't get sent to your liver and recycled as fatty cholesterol. Fish oil also cuts cravings so you don't absolutely, must, can't-live-without a chocolate bar this afternoon. Feel free to use the enclosed coupon to stock up this month.
P.P.S. Next week, I'm going to share with you a story from one of my patients (let's call him "Dave"). Dave's GP told him that because he had "high-cholesterol genes" in his family there was no point exercising or improving his diet, and that he needed to start drug therapy immediately. Dave didn't agree, and six months later he... well, I'll tell you next week.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Sweetness of Life
One out of every FOUR natives is at a high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions amongst aboriginals worldwide. It doesn't matter whether they're living in a condo in Toronto or an igloo in Nunavut.
Film West Associates, from Kelowna, BC, produced a video series quoting an elder who offers an unexpected explanation for diabetes amongst his people...
"The reason why Aboriginal people suffer gravely from diabetes is because we have lost the 'sweetness in life.'
"In essence, the Aboriginal way of life - eating off the land, getting in touch with the environmental, physical, mental and spiritual elements of life and looking after our bodies - has been lost."
The elder took a pause and continued. "Once we have found the sweetness in life, the diabetes will leave us."
Now, I realize that there is plenty of evidence suggesting that diabetes is a result of weight issues amongst aboriginals falling prey to North American eating habits. It is believed natives may be more prone to weight gain. Their ancestors experienced many famines which taught their bodies to efficiently store any excess calories when available, to help them survive in times of need.
So, yes, maybe weight gain is the superficial reason for the rise in diabetes amongst natives. But, I liked the elder's response better, which explains the deeper cause to why they have become prone to weight gain in the first place.
All the sweetness has been taken out of life. Let's look at what he said...
Eating off the land: In our modern era of TV dinners, hormone injected meat and pesticide laden food, we are moving away from that more and more. How often do people go out and pick their own strawberries, keep a garden in their backyard and snack on fresh fruit instead of a donut?
Staying in tune with the environment: Again, what is more sweet and makes you feel more alive than simply spending an afternoon at a park, going for a walk along the river, or spending a week hiking in Algonquin Park?
Physical Health: Daily exercise, playing sports (not just watching them on TV or using an Xbox) and taking time for a massage or an Epsom salt bath is so simple. You feel great doing it, you feel great after.
Mental Health: Mentally, we are regressing as a nation. The average Canadian reads 1.5 books a year, yet watches six hours of TV a day. There was a time when everybody had a hobby that they looked forward to each day -- whether it is quilting, playing the guitar, water painting, poetry writing or building a deck. Keeping our minds busy is a sure way to keep life interesting. And there's nothing sweeter than finishing a project, and seeing what you've accomplished.
Spiritual Health: Spiritually, the more we turn to technology to satisfy us, the more it can become our God. Now, I'm just a doctor not a shaman, and I'm using technology to write this letter to you. Let's just say that the Indian elder has a point... The more we fall away from our connection with the Source of everything, the more we'll seek sweetness where it cannot be found, and walk away feeling unsatisfied.
Last email, I pointed out a few side-effects from eating too much sugar. It's a touchy subject. Everybody likes their sweets. But what I'm trying to show you here is that you can find sweets in more things than dessert.
Examine how your day goes, what you are accomplishing, what you are doing with your time. Is it satisfying you? Are there things you'd like to accomplish that you aren't? Do you look forward to work each day? Did you want to learn to draw or play the piano, but haven't done so yet? Can you remember the last time you spent a day with your family amongst nature?
Sweetness of life is essential to happiness, health and prosperity.
If all you try to do to get sugar-cravings under control is suppress them, then you know you'll just give in when life gets too rough. Suppression is futile. Substitution is key. If you have other "sweets" in your life to look forward to, then that extra slice of cake or bottle of pop starts to loose its appeal.
If you need someone to talk to about how your current lifestyle, work and environment may be affecting your health, please book a"Sweet Life, Healthy Body" consult with me by calling my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. If you're an active patient you should have received yourApril newsletter in the mail already. Check out the top-ten finalists for the newsletter contest and send in your votes.
Film West Associates, from Kelowna, BC, produced a video series quoting an elder who offers an unexpected explanation for diabetes amongst his people...
"The reason why Aboriginal people suffer gravely from diabetes is because we have lost the 'sweetness in life.'
"In essence, the Aboriginal way of life - eating off the land, getting in touch with the environmental, physical, mental and spiritual elements of life and looking after our bodies - has been lost."
The elder took a pause and continued. "Once we have found the sweetness in life, the diabetes will leave us."
Now, I realize that there is plenty of evidence suggesting that diabetes is a result of weight issues amongst aboriginals falling prey to North American eating habits. It is believed natives may be more prone to weight gain. Their ancestors experienced many famines which taught their bodies to efficiently store any excess calories when available, to help them survive in times of need.
So, yes, maybe weight gain is the superficial reason for the rise in diabetes amongst natives. But, I liked the elder's response better, which explains the deeper cause to why they have become prone to weight gain in the first place.
All the sweetness has been taken out of life. Let's look at what he said...
Eating off the land: In our modern era of TV dinners, hormone injected meat and pesticide laden food, we are moving away from that more and more. How often do people go out and pick their own strawberries, keep a garden in their backyard and snack on fresh fruit instead of a donut?
Staying in tune with the environment: Again, what is more sweet and makes you feel more alive than simply spending an afternoon at a park, going for a walk along the river, or spending a week hiking in Algonquin Park?
Physical Health: Daily exercise, playing sports (not just watching them on TV or using an Xbox) and taking time for a massage or an Epsom salt bath is so simple. You feel great doing it, you feel great after.
Mental Health: Mentally, we are regressing as a nation. The average Canadian reads 1.5 books a year, yet watches six hours of TV a day. There was a time when everybody had a hobby that they looked forward to each day -- whether it is quilting, playing the guitar, water painting, poetry writing or building a deck. Keeping our minds busy is a sure way to keep life interesting. And there's nothing sweeter than finishing a project, and seeing what you've accomplished.
Spiritual Health: Spiritually, the more we turn to technology to satisfy us, the more it can become our God. Now, I'm just a doctor not a shaman, and I'm using technology to write this letter to you. Let's just say that the Indian elder has a point... The more we fall away from our connection with the Source of everything, the more we'll seek sweetness where it cannot be found, and walk away feeling unsatisfied.
Last email, I pointed out a few side-effects from eating too much sugar. It's a touchy subject. Everybody likes their sweets. But what I'm trying to show you here is that you can find sweets in more things than dessert.
Examine how your day goes, what you are accomplishing, what you are doing with your time. Is it satisfying you? Are there things you'd like to accomplish that you aren't? Do you look forward to work each day? Did you want to learn to draw or play the piano, but haven't done so yet? Can you remember the last time you spent a day with your family amongst nature?
Sweetness of life is essential to happiness, health and prosperity.
If all you try to do to get sugar-cravings under control is suppress them, then you know you'll just give in when life gets too rough. Suppression is futile. Substitution is key. If you have other "sweets" in your life to look forward to, then that extra slice of cake or bottle of pop starts to loose its appeal.
If you need someone to talk to about how your current lifestyle, work and environment may be affecting your health, please book a"Sweet Life, Healthy Body" consult with me by calling my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. If you're an active patient you should have received yourApril newsletter in the mail already. Check out the top-ten finalists for the newsletter contest and send in your votes.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Knock Out Your Immune System!
I don't drink coffee. I don't think I've ever drank a full cup of coffee in my life.
Nonetheless, while at the all-you-can-eat resort in Mexico last month, an item on the dessert menu pulled me in like a tractor beam from Star Trek: Cappuccino with Kahlúa.
"Oh yeah!" I thought. "Sounds yummy."
So for three or four dinners, of our seven-day escape, I had a Kahlúa Cappuccino.
My wife, Natalia, sees me and says, "What are you drinking?"
"Cappuccino," I replied, matter-of-factly.
"Have you ever had one in your life?"
"No. This is the first."
It was nice… eat whatever, drink whatever, and not worry. That's what vacations are for.
That's what makes a vacation a vacation.
The problem comes when people try to aim for a"vacation-experience" all year round. Not only is it impossible, damaging to your health and emptying of your wallet, but it sort of ruins the fun. I mean, if you're always on vacation, then there is no vacation...
Besides, discipline has its own attraction, its own rewards. Self-control can make you feel like a king or queen, gives you superior health and allows you to accomplish all those things you think you can't.
Now, last week I promised I'd share with you one ingredient that if you consume in excess quantities will greatly impair your immune system. I was probably close to consuming that one ingredient in excess quantities with my Kahlúa Cappuccino. Can you guess which ingredient? No it's not caffeine. It's not alcohol.
It's sugar.
100 grams of sugar will suppress the function of your white blood cells known as the neutrophils. Neutrophils are your first line of defence against bacterial infections. Drinking about two cans of pop or juice will knock them out by about 50%. This starts about 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts up to five hours.
Doesn't matter whether it's white sugar or 100% organic fruit juice or unpasteurized orange blossom honey.
Five hours and your white blood cells are in sugar-hangover state.
Keep in mind, 100 grams of sugar at one meal is a lot. That's three ounces of pure sugar. Many people however, pull it off, some several times a day...
* A 32 oz. Dairy Queen Mr. Misty Slush has 112 grams of sugar.
* A McDonald's Vanilla Shake has over 48 grams. Of course, who just slurps one shake? Throw in a McFlurry with Butterfingers and you've added another 55 grams of sugar.
Now, I'm not into counting calories. But 100 grams of sugar a day is 400 calories. For most women that's 25% of their calorie intake right there, for men, 20%.
So, as you can see, I'm not asking you to be sugar-phobic. A little bit is not going to kill you. Almost all natural foods contain sugar, it's necessary for life.
In fact, it's hard to "overdose" with fruit sugar. A typical piece of fruit only has 15-20 grams of sugar. It also has more fibre than juice or other sweets, which slows down the absorption of sugar and cuts future cravings.
What I'm saying is don't make a meal of sweets. Avoid eating foods that are laden with white sugar (e.g. fast food or packaged foods). Live without a bottle of pop or juice always at your side.
Not only will you keep your immune system up, but you'll avoid all the other nasty side-effects that come with too much sugar.
Now, keep in mind, I want you to keep the sugar down, but that doesn't mean you have to keep the sweet things out. What do I mean? I'll fill you in next week, with the answer from the chief of a reservation explaining why natives experience so many cases of diabetes.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. If you are battling sugar-cravings, consuming too many sweets, pop and candy, you should book a "Maximum Energy Without the M&M Fix" appointment. I can show you many foods you can start adding to your diet that will naturally get rid of sugar cravings. Plus, there's one culprit in most people's diets that increases the impulse to reach for another chocolate bar. Call(519) 739-2402 and Suzanne can set you up with an appointment ASAP.
P.P.S. Inside the March print newsletter (arriving any day now) I'll share with you an immune building "prescription" that most MDs use themselves, but only recommend to 17% of their patients. At least that's the case in North America. Over in Europe cardiologists are sending their patients home with the stuff. It's all natural, inexpensive and a favourite with my kids.
Here's what else you can expect in the March newsletter...
* Why Dr. Mauro And Airplanes Don't Get Along... pg. 1
* What Al Gore Didn't Know He Knew About Our Fatty Membranes …pg. 2
* What's the Deal With Omega Six and Nine?... pg. 3
* Flax Seed Oil Versus Fish Oil... pg. 4
* Newsletter Contest: Top Ten Finalists... pg. 4
If you've been an active patient within the last 12 months, you're in. Expect the newsletter sometime soon. If you're new, give Suzanne a call at (519) 739-2402 to set up an initial consultation. If you'd like more info first, let us know your postal address and we'll send a welcome package. It'll include a DVD that will show you how I combine 3,000 year old Chinese medicine with 21st century technology to evaluate any symptom you may be experiencing.
Nonetheless, while at the all-you-can-eat resort in Mexico last month, an item on the dessert menu pulled me in like a tractor beam from Star Trek: Cappuccino with Kahlúa.
"Oh yeah!" I thought. "Sounds yummy."
So for three or four dinners, of our seven-day escape, I had a Kahlúa Cappuccino.
My wife, Natalia, sees me and says, "What are you drinking?"
"Cappuccino," I replied, matter-of-factly.
"Have you ever had one in your life?"
"No. This is the first."
It was nice… eat whatever, drink whatever, and not worry. That's what vacations are for.
That's what makes a vacation a vacation.
The problem comes when people try to aim for a"vacation-experience" all year round. Not only is it impossible, damaging to your health and emptying of your wallet, but it sort of ruins the fun. I mean, if you're always on vacation, then there is no vacation...
Besides, discipline has its own attraction, its own rewards. Self-control can make you feel like a king or queen, gives you superior health and allows you to accomplish all those things you think you can't.
Now, last week I promised I'd share with you one ingredient that if you consume in excess quantities will greatly impair your immune system. I was probably close to consuming that one ingredient in excess quantities with my Kahlúa Cappuccino. Can you guess which ingredient? No it's not caffeine. It's not alcohol.
It's sugar.
100 grams of sugar will suppress the function of your white blood cells known as the neutrophils. Neutrophils are your first line of defence against bacterial infections. Drinking about two cans of pop or juice will knock them out by about 50%. This starts about 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts up to five hours.
Doesn't matter whether it's white sugar or 100% organic fruit juice or unpasteurized orange blossom honey.
Five hours and your white blood cells are in sugar-hangover state.
Keep in mind, 100 grams of sugar at one meal is a lot. That's three ounces of pure sugar. Many people however, pull it off, some several times a day...
* A 32 oz. Dairy Queen Mr. Misty Slush has 112 grams of sugar.
* A McDonald's Vanilla Shake has over 48 grams. Of course, who just slurps one shake? Throw in a McFlurry with Butterfingers and you've added another 55 grams of sugar.
Now, I'm not into counting calories. But 100 grams of sugar a day is 400 calories. For most women that's 25% of their calorie intake right there, for men, 20%.
So, as you can see, I'm not asking you to be sugar-phobic. A little bit is not going to kill you. Almost all natural foods contain sugar, it's necessary for life.
In fact, it's hard to "overdose" with fruit sugar. A typical piece of fruit only has 15-20 grams of sugar. It also has more fibre than juice or other sweets, which slows down the absorption of sugar and cuts future cravings.
What I'm saying is don't make a meal of sweets. Avoid eating foods that are laden with white sugar (e.g. fast food or packaged foods). Live without a bottle of pop or juice always at your side.
Not only will you keep your immune system up, but you'll avoid all the other nasty side-effects that come with too much sugar.
Now, keep in mind, I want you to keep the sugar down, but that doesn't mean you have to keep the sweet things out. What do I mean? I'll fill you in next week, with the answer from the chief of a reservation explaining why natives experience so many cases of diabetes.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. If you are battling sugar-cravings, consuming too many sweets, pop and candy, you should book a "Maximum Energy Without the M&M Fix" appointment. I can show you many foods you can start adding to your diet that will naturally get rid of sugar cravings. Plus, there's one culprit in most people's diets that increases the impulse to reach for another chocolate bar. Call(519) 739-2402 and Suzanne can set you up with an appointment ASAP.
P.P.S. Inside the March print newsletter (arriving any day now) I'll share with you an immune building "prescription" that most MDs use themselves, but only recommend to 17% of their patients. At least that's the case in North America. Over in Europe cardiologists are sending their patients home with the stuff. It's all natural, inexpensive and a favourite with my kids.
Here's what else you can expect in the March newsletter...
* Why Dr. Mauro And Airplanes Don't Get Along... pg. 1
* What Al Gore Didn't Know He Knew About Our Fatty Membranes …pg. 2
* What's the Deal With Omega Six and Nine?... pg. 3
* Flax Seed Oil Versus Fish Oil... pg. 4
* Newsletter Contest: Top Ten Finalists... pg. 4
If you've been an active patient within the last 12 months, you're in. Expect the newsletter sometime soon. If you're new, give Suzanne a call at (519) 739-2402 to set up an initial consultation. If you'd like more info first, let us know your postal address and we'll send a welcome package. It'll include a DVD that will show you how I combine 3,000 year old Chinese medicine with 21st century technology to evaluate any symptom you may be experiencing.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
He Shot Him When He Wasn't Looking
A patient -- let's call her Grace -- came in the other day with quite the story...
Apparently her husband had been to see their GP. The physician wanted to give him the flu shot. Grace's husband said he didn't want the flu shot, or any other vaccine for that matter.
But the doctor gave it to him anyways.
When he got home, he said to Grace, "I can't believe it! He just gave it to me. Said I needed it because I'm over sixty. He even told me to bring you in to get it, too."
Now, ignoring the fact that it's more or less illegal to give someone an injection without their consent, this type of black-and-white thinking about vaccines infuriates me. And Grace wasn't too happy about it either.
I don't think she booked that appointment with her GP.
I have nothing against medical doctors in general. Most MDs would never show such disrespect for their patients -- even if they didn't agree with their decision.
But that's the thing, people need to make their own decisions, not their MDs, not their NDs.
You need to know all the facts, yourself, before making decisions about your health. You need to know things like...
One reporter for the Washington Times, in April 2005, wrote an article on his investigation of a large Pennsylvania Amish community. What was he searching for? Children with autism. One in every 166 children in the United States has autism. According to that ratio, he should have found 200 Amish children with autism.
Instead, he found only three. Two of whom had received vaccinations before being adopted into the Amish community. The third child may have received a vaccination, they weren't sure.
You see, Amish people don't usually have their children vaccinated. They avoid all modern advancements of the last century.
So you have to wonder, what are we doing, in our technological wonder world, which these back-nature folks are not, that is causing such high rates of autism amongst our children?
Now, get this...
There's a new vaccine on the market by Merck & Co. It targets the human papilloma virus (HPV). Two strains of HPV are believed to cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer in women.
The virus is only transmitted by sexual contact.
Merck & Co. has been pushing to make it mandatory for grade six girls to receive the vaccine.
In Alberta, they've even considered giving the vaccine to new borns. They'd track the children to see if in 25-30 years they experience less cases of cervical cancer.
Alright, I'm all for reducing cases of cervical cancer. I tell all my female patients to get regular Pap smears done (which, by the way, is the single most effective cancer screen in the history of medicine). Approximately 400 Canadians died from cervical cancer last year. But, I'm just not at all convinced giving a vaccine is the route.
Why? First of all, most people don't realize a lot of vaccines contain mercury -- one of the most deadliest substances on the planet to us human beings.
Secondly, vaccines do not have a 100% success rate, by any means, especially in cancer prevention.
Thirdly, the general public needs to know about the natural options that exist to fighting off viruses -- where the "side-effects" are mostly, if not completely, positive.
Next week, I'll send you an email explaining how one dietary change can boost your immune system by 200%. How? There's a food-type that many people are eating in excessive quantities that literally knocks out 50% of their white blood cell activity for four hours following ingestion.
Most North Americans are consuming a lot of this one substance.
If you need help deciding whether you want to get vaccinated, or whether you want to vaccinate your children, please book an appointment with me. I can fill you in on the pros and cons, plus show you a host of naturopathic treatments to keep your family virus-free, with strong and healthy immune systems.
Just let Suzanne know at (519) 739-2402 that you want to talk with me about your options, and she'll book you a consult ASAP.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
http://www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. The March newsletter will be stuffed and mailed any day now. I'm just going over a last edit.
Inside, I'll share with you an immune building "prescription" that most MDs use themselves, but only recommend to 17% of their patients. At least that's the case in North America. Over in Europe cardiologists are sending their patients home with the stuff. It's non-pharmaceutical, inexpensive and a favourite with my kids.
Here's what else you can expect in the March newsletter...
* What Al Gore Didn't Know He Knew About Our Fatty Membranes …pg. 2
* What's the Deal With Omega Six and Nine?... pg. 3
* Flax Seed Oil Versus Fish Oil... pg. 4
* Newsletter Contest: Top Ten Finalists... pg. 4
If you've been an active patient within the last 12 months, you're in. Expect the newsletter sometime soon. If you haven't yet come by the clinic, give Suzanne a call at (519) 739-2402 to book an initial consultation and she'll mail you a welcome package, or let us know your postal address and we'll send you a DVD presentation that shows you how I combine 3,000 year old Chinese medicine and modern technology to evaluate any organ imbalances you may have.
Apparently her husband had been to see their GP. The physician wanted to give him the flu shot. Grace's husband said he didn't want the flu shot, or any other vaccine for that matter.
But the doctor gave it to him anyways.
When he got home, he said to Grace, "I can't believe it! He just gave it to me. Said I needed it because I'm over sixty. He even told me to bring you in to get it, too."
Now, ignoring the fact that it's more or less illegal to give someone an injection without their consent, this type of black-and-white thinking about vaccines infuriates me. And Grace wasn't too happy about it either.
I don't think she booked that appointment with her GP.
I have nothing against medical doctors in general. Most MDs would never show such disrespect for their patients -- even if they didn't agree with their decision.
But that's the thing, people need to make their own decisions, not their MDs, not their NDs.
You need to know all the facts, yourself, before making decisions about your health. You need to know things like...
One reporter for the Washington Times, in April 2005, wrote an article on his investigation of a large Pennsylvania Amish community. What was he searching for? Children with autism. One in every 166 children in the United States has autism. According to that ratio, he should have found 200 Amish children with autism.
Instead, he found only three. Two of whom had received vaccinations before being adopted into the Amish community. The third child may have received a vaccination, they weren't sure.
You see, Amish people don't usually have their children vaccinated. They avoid all modern advancements of the last century.
So you have to wonder, what are we doing, in our technological wonder world, which these back-nature folks are not, that is causing such high rates of autism amongst our children?
Now, get this...
There's a new vaccine on the market by Merck & Co. It targets the human papilloma virus (HPV). Two strains of HPV are believed to cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer in women.
The virus is only transmitted by sexual contact.
Merck & Co. has been pushing to make it mandatory for grade six girls to receive the vaccine.
In Alberta, they've even considered giving the vaccine to new borns. They'd track the children to see if in 25-30 years they experience less cases of cervical cancer.
Alright, I'm all for reducing cases of cervical cancer. I tell all my female patients to get regular Pap smears done (which, by the way, is the single most effective cancer screen in the history of medicine). Approximately 400 Canadians died from cervical cancer last year. But, I'm just not at all convinced giving a vaccine is the route.
Why? First of all, most people don't realize a lot of vaccines contain mercury -- one of the most deadliest substances on the planet to us human beings.
Secondly, vaccines do not have a 100% success rate, by any means, especially in cancer prevention.
Thirdly, the general public needs to know about the natural options that exist to fighting off viruses -- where the "side-effects" are mostly, if not completely, positive.
Next week, I'll send you an email explaining how one dietary change can boost your immune system by 200%. How? There's a food-type that many people are eating in excessive quantities that literally knocks out 50% of their white blood cell activity for four hours following ingestion.
Most North Americans are consuming a lot of this one substance.
If you need help deciding whether you want to get vaccinated, or whether you want to vaccinate your children, please book an appointment with me. I can fill you in on the pros and cons, plus show you a host of naturopathic treatments to keep your family virus-free, with strong and healthy immune systems.
Just let Suzanne know at (519) 739-2402 that you want to talk with me about your options, and she'll book you a consult ASAP.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
http://www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. The March newsletter will be stuffed and mailed any day now. I'm just going over a last edit.
Inside, I'll share with you an immune building "prescription" that most MDs use themselves, but only recommend to 17% of their patients. At least that's the case in North America. Over in Europe cardiologists are sending their patients home with the stuff. It's non-pharmaceutical, inexpensive and a favourite with my kids.
Here's what else you can expect in the March newsletter...
* What Al Gore Didn't Know He Knew About Our Fatty Membranes …pg. 2
* What's the Deal With Omega Six and Nine?... pg. 3
* Flax Seed Oil Versus Fish Oil... pg. 4
* Newsletter Contest: Top Ten Finalists... pg. 4
If you've been an active patient within the last 12 months, you're in. Expect the newsletter sometime soon. If you haven't yet come by the clinic, give Suzanne a call at (519) 739-2402 to book an initial consultation and she'll mail you a welcome package, or let us know your postal address and we'll send you a DVD presentation that shows you how I combine 3,000 year old Chinese medicine and modern technology to evaluate any organ imbalances you may have.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Heart Attack Grill - "Taste Worth Dying For"
While McDonald's has recently been trying to mask decades of sin with McVeggie burgers, McWraps and healthy salads (that contain heaps of sugar in their dressing, by the way)... a new burger joint has opened in Tempe, Arizona, and they aren't trying to hide anything.
Here's just three items from their menu:
Single Bypass Burger - 1/2 pound of beef, bacon, 2 oz. cheese
Double Bypass Burger - 1 pound of beef, 2 layers of bacon and 4oz. of cheese
Triple Bypass Burger - 1-1/2 pounds of beef, 3 layers of bacon and 6 oz. of cheese
On their ad you can even see the grease dripping down the side-- oh, excuse me, it says that's their "gourmet sauce."
They are called the HEART ATTACK GRILL and their motto: "Taste Worth Dying For."
With every burger you can get a side of Flatliner Fries, deep-fried in pure lard. Not only that, but cigarettes are offered on the "menu."
There is even a Quadruple Bypass Burger - 2 pounds of beef, 4 layers of bacon, and 8 oz. of cheese (I don't know how anyone fits that in their mouth). If you complete the Quadruple Bypass Burger, one of their waitresses in a skimpy nurse's outfit will push you out to your car in a wheelchair.
Sadly, they are catering to people's UNnatural tendencies to eat junk and be slothful. Not good.
At first I thought this place was such a success because of the"nurses." But no, there's more going on here.
The way I see it, they're not trying to cover up or hide anything. They come right out and advertise, "Our Food Will KillYou!"
Unlike McDonald's who promotes a few semi-healthy items, knowing full well that by the time someone reaches the front of the lineup, their healthy resolution will be crushed by a side order of fries and coke.
Then what happens? They feel guilty.
Well, not at the Heart Attack Grill…
"It's okay to kill yourself. It's okay to be fat. It's okay to have a triple bypass. Be yourself!"
I'm all for people being themselves. I just think we have more potential than the Heart Attack Grill gives us credit. It's just awful. What they are doing is dangerous. It's hurting people.
Does their slop taste better than a crisp salad, whole grain bread and a lean piece of roast? Depends what you're used to. If all you drink is milk shakes, then carrot juice tastes rather bland. If all you drink is carrot juice, then milk shakes may seem sickeningly sweet.
When I first heard about the Heart Attack Grill, I got upset. It seemed like a bad sign. I mean the Heart Attack Grill is packed every night. It's expanding into a franchise.
Then I realized it's a GOOD sign. You know why? Because the Heart Attack Grill is serving a MINORITY.
Just like smoking. 50 years ago everybody was smoking but a few. Now it's the reverse. More and more people, like yourself, are caring about their health.
The Heart Attack Grill is catering to a dying breed (pun intended). It's a place where they can go and feel "okay" that they're hurting themselves.
It's not really all too popular in the scheme of things. The owners were just smart enough to target a small, hungry crowd who everybody else has started to ignore.
At least, however, The Heart Attack grill is honest with its customers.
Always be honest with yourself too. I'm not saying you should never eat anything unhealthy. A little bit of this or that, won't kill you. Instead, I'm saying you should FOCUS on eating foods that fill you with life and vigor.
The Heart Attack Grill may have a "taste worth dying for" but nature's bounty offers foods worth LIVING FOR.
You can waste your life away in a smoky restaurant, clogging your arteries with some "gourmet sauce," or you can eat a healthy meal with your loved ones and take an invigorating walk afterward in the fresh air.
Your choice…
If you need any help getting back on track, or staying on track, feel free to call my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402 and book an appointment with me. We'll put together a plan of eating, exercise and high-thinking, so that you can enjoy a life worth living.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
Here's just three items from their menu:
Single Bypass Burger - 1/2 pound of beef, bacon, 2 oz. cheese
Double Bypass Burger - 1 pound of beef, 2 layers of bacon and 4oz. of cheese
Triple Bypass Burger - 1-1/2 pounds of beef, 3 layers of bacon and 6 oz. of cheese
On their ad you can even see the grease dripping down the side-- oh, excuse me, it says that's their "gourmet sauce."
They are called the HEART ATTACK GRILL and their motto: "Taste Worth Dying For."
With every burger you can get a side of Flatliner Fries, deep-fried in pure lard. Not only that, but cigarettes are offered on the "menu."
There is even a Quadruple Bypass Burger - 2 pounds of beef, 4 layers of bacon, and 8 oz. of cheese (I don't know how anyone fits that in their mouth). If you complete the Quadruple Bypass Burger, one of their waitresses in a skimpy nurse's outfit will push you out to your car in a wheelchair.
Sadly, they are catering to people's UNnatural tendencies to eat junk and be slothful. Not good.
At first I thought this place was such a success because of the"nurses." But no, there's more going on here.
The way I see it, they're not trying to cover up or hide anything. They come right out and advertise, "Our Food Will KillYou!"
Unlike McDonald's who promotes a few semi-healthy items, knowing full well that by the time someone reaches the front of the lineup, their healthy resolution will be crushed by a side order of fries and coke.
Then what happens? They feel guilty.
Well, not at the Heart Attack Grill…
"It's okay to kill yourself. It's okay to be fat. It's okay to have a triple bypass. Be yourself!"
I'm all for people being themselves. I just think we have more potential than the Heart Attack Grill gives us credit. It's just awful. What they are doing is dangerous. It's hurting people.
Does their slop taste better than a crisp salad, whole grain bread and a lean piece of roast? Depends what you're used to. If all you drink is milk shakes, then carrot juice tastes rather bland. If all you drink is carrot juice, then milk shakes may seem sickeningly sweet.
When I first heard about the Heart Attack Grill, I got upset. It seemed like a bad sign. I mean the Heart Attack Grill is packed every night. It's expanding into a franchise.
Then I realized it's a GOOD sign. You know why? Because the Heart Attack Grill is serving a MINORITY.
Just like smoking. 50 years ago everybody was smoking but a few. Now it's the reverse. More and more people, like yourself, are caring about their health.
The Heart Attack Grill is catering to a dying breed (pun intended). It's a place where they can go and feel "okay" that they're hurting themselves.
It's not really all too popular in the scheme of things. The owners were just smart enough to target a small, hungry crowd who everybody else has started to ignore.
At least, however, The Heart Attack grill is honest with its customers.
Always be honest with yourself too. I'm not saying you should never eat anything unhealthy. A little bit of this or that, won't kill you. Instead, I'm saying you should FOCUS on eating foods that fill you with life and vigor.
The Heart Attack Grill may have a "taste worth dying for" but nature's bounty offers foods worth LIVING FOR.
You can waste your life away in a smoky restaurant, clogging your arteries with some "gourmet sauce," or you can eat a healthy meal with your loved ones and take an invigorating walk afterward in the fresh air.
Your choice…
If you need any help getting back on track, or staying on track, feel free to call my receptionist Suzanne at (519) 739-2402 and book an appointment with me. We'll put together a plan of eating, exercise and high-thinking, so that you can enjoy a life worth living.
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
Friday, March 9, 2007
Last Call For Entries!
Last call for entries in my Give-My-Newsletter-A-Name contest. I'm referring to the print newsletter mailed to patients each month -- not these email broadcasts.
Already many patients have submitted ideas. In the upcomingMarch issue, I'll print all of them, and let you be the judge.
So if you have any ideas (I sure have seen some creative ones) hit reply, and I'll add them to the list. The winner will be announced in the April issue.
Have a great weekend!
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. Many people have commented on the abs routine I laid out in the February newsletter. I know it may make you a little sore at first, but keep at it. If I go a week without my abs routine, I start feeling sluggish. If you need some further encouragement, you can signup for David Grisaffi's Flatten Your Abs-newsletter at...
www.thenaturopath.ca/abs
P.P.S. Please try my stress-reduction prescription from page 2 of the newsletter. Let me know how it goes for you. If I print your story here or in the newsletter, I'll send you $20 in "Mauro Money." Remember, there are other things to listen to in the car than just who shot who and what that politician did to the other. Here's some motivational CDs that can make good use of time spent commuting, by helping you reach some of your big goals in life...
www.thenaturopath.ca/motivation
Already many patients have submitted ideas. In the upcomingMarch issue, I'll print all of them, and let you be the judge.
So if you have any ideas (I sure have seen some creative ones) hit reply, and I'll add them to the list. The winner will be announced in the April issue.
Have a great weekend!
Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402
P.S. Many people have commented on the abs routine I laid out in the February newsletter. I know it may make you a little sore at first, but keep at it. If I go a week without my abs routine, I start feeling sluggish. If you need some further encouragement, you can signup for David Grisaffi's Flatten Your Abs-newsletter at...
www.thenaturopath.ca/abs
P.P.S. Please try my stress-reduction prescription from page 2 of the newsletter. Let me know how it goes for you. If I print your story here or in the newsletter, I'll send you $20 in "Mauro Money." Remember, there are other things to listen to in the car than just who shot who and what that politician did to the other. Here's some motivational CDs that can make good use of time spent commuting, by helping you reach some of your big goals in life...
www.thenaturopath.ca/motivation
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