Pure Wellness Centers

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Why Detoxification?

Sad to say, we’re all toxic. This is no longer controversial. Many scientific studies have looked at blood, tissue and breast milk samples from people all over the world – no one has been free of toxic chemicals. In October 2006, National Geographic published an article on the problem, particularly mentioning fire-retardant chemicals found in clothing and furniture.

Breast milk samples, even those from women in remote areas, found multiple toxins. One researcher said, “If this was a new product submitted to the FDA for approval, it would be rejected as too contaminated.” A very sad commentary on the state of our world.

In my own experience of testing Seattle-area patients for heavy metals, I’ve never found one that didn’t have a least some elevation of lead, mercury, arsenic or other toxic metal. Even my own levels were quite high.

What are the dangers of environmental toxins?
A wide variety of diseases and symptoms have been attributed to toxins. Basically, they poison cells of various tissues – brain, nerves, blood vessels, thyroid, pancreas – rendering them less effective. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, low thyroid, skin conditions, chronic pain, fatigue and weight-gain (to name a few) have all been associated with toxins. For most people, the result is chronic, long-term disease.

Detoxification has become a necessary part of staying or becoming healthy. Medicine of the 21^st Century will move away from using drugs to suppress symptoms and develop new ways to clean the environment and detoxify people.

Why is detoxing suddenly so important? People have used detoxification therapies for thousands of years. Every culture participated in detoxification practices. Sweat lodges, saunas, fasting, specific diets, herbal teas and mineral baths are part of a long tradition and still of some value. The problem we face today is that we are exposed to very different toxins than our ancestors.

In the last 130 years, since the beginning of synthetic chemistry, humans have invented 100,000 new chemicals. Only about 25,000 of these have been tested for safety. These new exposures mean that we must devise new ways of detoxifying.

Fasting, for instance, has a long history, yet may now be dangerous as it can trigger an excessive release of toxins that overwhelm the body’s detoxification processes. Keep in mind that in the same 130 years that humans have been subjecting themselves to more toxins, they’ve also been eating a diet progressively poorer in nutrients. The detoxification process requires protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s no wonder so many people are sick.

What kind of detoxification is recommended?
Fortunately, the science of detoxification has progressed rapidly in the past 40 years. We now understand more about how the body, and particularly the liver, removes toxins. Science gives us good direction. We no longer have to rely on unproven treatments.

Early experiments demonstrated that the herb silybum (milk thistle) protected the liver from certain deadly liver toxins. Another example is the use of the amino acid cysteine as a precursor for the powerful antioxidant glutathione.

Detoxification formulas, called Medical Foods, are now available to support the liver’s detoxification processes. High antioxidant formulas of low-heat dehydrated fruits and vegetables help combat the destruction of cells by free-radicals.

Free-radicals cause oxidative damage and are associated with all chronic diseases – diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart disease, cancer and many others.

Fiber helps remove toxins from the body. Stabilized rice bran is a particularly helpful fiber, less irritating than many others, and full of many useful nutrients.

Probiotics – microorganisms that support intestinal health – are also an important part of the detoxification process.

Digestive enzymes reduce toxins by increasing breakdown and aiding elimination.

Far-infrared Heat (FIR) has been shown to mobilize toxins from where they are stored in fat cells.

These and other detoxification therapies can be used to gently and effectively remove toxins and, when done correctly, you will actually feel good while detoxifying. If you don’t feel good during your therapy, then something is wrong with the therapy you’re using.

How do I know if I’m toxic?
We’re all toxic, it’s just a matter of how severe. Fortunately, scientific testing is now available. See Available Testing for more information.

How long does detoxification take?
That depends on how toxic you are and how much continued exposure you have. After a doctor-supervised detoxification to take out the worst of your toxins, I recommend continual detoxification to prevent re-accumulation.

The sad fact is, you live in a toxic world. What you can do is limit your exposure as much as possible and continue to employ detox treatments. But remember, simple things like exercise, skin scrubs, vitamin C, and a diet rich in organic fresh fruits and vegetables are detoxifying.

Start your detoxification now by calling 425-255-8100 Ext. 6 (Renton) or 206-324-2225 (Seattle) today.

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Why Rejuvenation?

What does it take to rejuvenate the body, to give it vitality? Or, asked another way, what do your heart, liver, and brain need to do their work? On and even smaller scale, what do the cells of your thyroid glad need to produce thyroid hormones?

The answer is not esoteric potions or synthetic drugs.

Building-Blocks of Life
Cells, tissue, and organs all need vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, antioxidants, and other nutritional factors to grow, repair and function. It’s not rocket science, and not too different from keeping a car going. Without the right mixture of fuels, lubricants, and parts, you and your car won’t work as efficiently, may even die.

This simple concept becomes profound when you consider that the average “healthy” person in the US is statistically liable to be deficient in at least two nutrients. Anyone with chronic disease, smokers, heavy drinkers, prolonged use of prescription or over-the-counter medication, living in cities or with digestive problems is likely to have even more deficiencies. Low-calorie dieters are also prone to being low in nutrients.

The result of nutritional deficiencies
Deficiencies create situations in which millions of people function below their potential. Their blood doesn’t pump as efficiently, their digestion doesn’t break down food properly, their weight keeps increasing, they simply do not feel as well as they could. They’re sometimes referred to as the walking wounded.

As efficiency drops, more symptoms appear. Eventually the person is diagnosed with a chronic disease – obesity, arthritis, skin problems, headaches, cancer, heart disease, fatigue, to name a few.

This is why rejuvenation is so important.

Rejuvenation refers to supplying the body with the nutrients it needs to function at a higher level.

Why are so many people malnourished?
Four major reasons:

Soil has become depleted of nutrients. Plants take nutrition from the soil and pass them on to us.
Processed, refined foods have fewer nutrients that whole foods.
Industrial foods have fewer nutrients than organic foods.
Environmental toxins increase the demand for nutrients.

How do I know if I’m deficient?
We all wish we could place a hand on a scanner and have it read our biochemistry. Unfortunately, this is not available. Blood, urine, saliva, hair and other tissues can sometimes give us hard answers, but more often they only offer clues.

The blood, as an example, will “steal” calcium from bones to keep its levels within normal limits. Your hair may have enough magnesium, but not your brain. And so on.

Nutrients such as iron and vitamin D can be easily determined with blood samples. Levels of protein and most vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, require a combination of patient history, physical exam, laboratory testing, and clinical judgment (educated guessing).

Unfortunately most doctors are not trained to look for nutritional deficiencies. Their training is to give drugs or do surgery.

How is Pure Wellness Center different?
Nutrition-oriented doctors take special care to keep up on the latest research into nutrition, how to test for deficiencies and how to treat illness with nutrition.

At Pure Wellness Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating malnutrition. Patients fill out an extensive intake questionnaire, undergo a 40-point BioMarker Exam, and are offered the latest in diagnostic testing.

It’s a tragedy to waste a life. The walking wounded now have a place where they can be tested and individually treated for deficiencies. Rejuvenation, in the form of targeted nutrition, is available.

Your chronic disease can be transformed into vitality by calling 425-255-8100 Ext. 6 (Renton) or 206-324-2225 (Seattle) today for an appointment.

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Is Diet Enough?

The case for supplements
by Tom Ballard, R.N., N.D.
(As seen in PCC Sound Consumer May 2008)

“I eat a good diet. Do I really need a nutritional supplement?”

As a nutrition-oriented doctor, I’m asked this question continually. Many people — even my own colleagues — believe diet is enough to maintain health. Sad to say, the evidence no longer supports diet alone for keeping us healthy. Forty years ago, when I began studying nutrition, I believed good, organic, whole food was all people needed. But the world has changed, and so has my opinion.Certainly, I encourage my patients to eat healthy meals and snacks. Medical research overwhelmingly supports good nutrition as one of the top three actions a person can take to live a longer and healthier life. The other two are regular exercise and not smoking. Nutrition is the bedrock on which your health is built. However, there’s compelling evidence that virtually everyone would be healthier if they supplemented their diet, even their “good diet,” with additional, concentrated nutrients.

Top picks in supplements
Individuals vary greatly in their dietary deficiencies. The supplements that I recommend most often are:

Multivitamin/mineral
Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 oils — Fish oils are the most effective, much more than flax oils.
Fresh or dehydrated fruit and vegetable juice — A concentrated powder that can be reconstituted into a drink is an excellent source of easily absorbed antioxidants. Choose a mix of many foods, not the latest hyped drink.
Vitamin D — Underexposure to sunlight makes this a frequent deficiency. Accurate blood testing should be done before supplementation.
Fiber — Stabilized (non-rancid) rice bran or freshly-ground flax seed are good choices.
Probiotics — Friendly bacteria essential for a healthy immune system.
Protein powder — For those unable to eat their requirement of protein. Note: protein is not stored and must be replenished daily. General recommendations are one-half to one gram of protein per 2.2 pounds of body weight.

Supplement quality
Check the label for “other ingredients” and choose supplements without artificial binders, fillers, colors or other additives. All PCC supplements are labeled as meeting this standard. Sugars, fructose and artificial sweeteners are common contaminants. Be aware that children’s chewable vitamins typically contain fructose.Like other foods, supplements should be from organic sources but very few are. Fish oil labels should state the product is tested to be mercury-free. Regarding “natural” supplements: An increasing number of companies are advertising “natural” or “food-based” vitamin-mineral supplements.Manufacturing practices vary but these often are yeast-grown nutrients with synthetic vitamins added to a batch of yeast to make them “natural.”So far, there are no large-scale human studies and little other research supporting the health claims of these products.At this point, many patients give me a questioning look. It just doesn’t make sense to many people — especially those who are conscientious about what they eat — that diet isn’t good enough to meet their needs. After all, isn’t good old-fashioned food how humans survived and thrived? Supplements often are seen as “unnatural,” something our ancestors didn’t need, so why should we? The short answer is: We don’t live in the same world as our ancestors.

Dining with our ancestors
Everything your ancient ancestors ate was a “super food” in the sense that it was fresh, organic and relatively unprocessed. No fast food, junk food or even non-organic morsels passed their lips. Thus our genes were nourished.Hunter-gatherers had few resources for storage and so much of what they ate was fresh off the vine, so to speak. Food begins rotting and losing nutrients the moment it is cut, picked or otherwise killed. Today most food is trucked in from other states or even flown in from other countries. The average U.S. food travels 1,300 miles before being eaten. So, even if it started out organic and packed with nutrients, it may not be fresh by the time it enters your refrigerator, often to wait another few days before becoming dinner.Throughout most of history people ate seasonally. No strawberries in January. When they popped a bud, sprout or flower into their mouth it was at its peak, bursting with nutrients, some of which have not been identified.Our genetic ancestors weren’t tempted by empty calorie alternatives — they ate whole foods every day, every meal. No quick stops at the 7-11. No frivolous TV snacks. Their food processing consisted of cleaning, chopping and cooking. Later came fermentation, drying and crude grinding. Their food did not pass through milling, bleaching, extracting, canning or other modern inventions.Another important difference between the hunter-gatherer diet and yours: Due to environmental hardships, those living in northern climates required more calories than others. What happens when greater quantities of food are consumed? You take in more protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients.The modern office worker does not require as many calories, but their genes still require the same level of nutrient density. Nutrition turns genes on and off. Good nutrition, in the right amount, turns health-promoting genes on. Skipping ahead from Hunter-Gatherers, it wasn’t until the chemical revolution of the past 100 years that people gave up eating nutrition-packed, organic, low-processed foods. In that relatively short 100 years, the majority of people moved from living a rural, farm-centered lifestyle to an urban, consumer society. In the last 30 years, the intensity of the urbanized diet has accelerated even faster. The result: Our genes have been vaulted into a nutritional wasteland.

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)
“But,” you argue, “I’m getting my RDAs of nutrients!” I hope you are. But the two most comprehensive studies ever conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — HANES I and II — reveal that marginal nutrient deficiencies exist in almost 50 percent of the population and that selected nutrient deficiencies exist in up to 90 percent of the population.In addition, it’s important to remember that the RDAs are recommendations for healthy people. If you have a health problem, poor digestion or take prescription medications, you have higher requirements.Smokers and heavy drinkers also have increased needs. Air and water pollution drain your nutrients. Those that consume sugar and simple carbohydrates need more minerals and B vitamins.I could go on, the point being that there are a lot of odds against us consuming just RDA levels, much less optimal levels of nutrients.

Stay on top of the pyramid
The latest USDA food pyramid (mypyramid.com) recommends a mixed diet with a variety of whole fresh foods, five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables, and regular meals. Except for no mention of organic, this sounds like our Paleolithic ancestors’ diet.Congratulations if you’re meeting these suggestions. You’re in the minority. Up to 90 percent of the U.S. population misses at least one meal per day, usually breakfast. Barely 25 percent of the population eats 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables, and the statistics would be far worse if ketchup and French fries weren’t counted as vegetables. Also consider the research done by the USDA in 2006 showing that the nutritional content of vitamins and minerals in food has declined significantly over the past 50 years. Artificial fertilizers and breeding plants for higher yields have reduced the nutrient content of foods. Apples are bigger, yes, but not better. (See The organic advantage, February [2008] Sound Consumer.) The USDA pyramid makes an important point by recommending “variety.” The average person currently eats only 20 varieties of food compared to more than 100 varieties consumed by our ancestors. More variety equals greater intake of nutrients, especially micronutrients.

Supplements fill a void
A “supplement” could be a daily multivitamin/mineral, the protein powder you mix for breakfast, the fish oil capsules you swallow with dinner, or that “immune booster” you take when you feel a virus knocking at your nose. Protein bars and fortified waters also increasingly are being relied upon to supplement our busy lives. To revisit our ancestors, remember they did eat dried, extracted and otherwise concentrated foods. What is a protein bar if not the modern equivalent of Native American pemmican? I think it’s incorrect to lump all supplements into a bin marked “unnatural,” although there certainly are plenty of unhealthy supplements on the market and a bad supplement can be worse than taking nothing at all.

The scientific literature on supplements
It’s a mixed bag. The evidence for consuming a multivitamin is strong — so strong that even the conservative American Medical Association endorses their use.Single vitamins, on the other hand, have not done as well. A number of studies have shown negative results. Extrapolating useful information from these studies is difficult because synthetic, incomplete forms of vitamins often are used and the studies are poorly designed (dosages are too low or too high). I caution patients against self-prescribing single vitamins or minerals. Anyone taking a prescription drug should consult a nutrition expert to counter-balance any negative impacts.Fiber commonly is deficient in industrial diets and is known to decrease cholesterol, the risk of diabetes and colon cancer, among other health benefits. Omega-3 oil intake has declined in our diet and is known to decrease inflammation and heart disease while improving mood and memory. Probiotics, the “good bacteria” critical for healthy gut function, often are low due to antibiotics (including those given to domestic animals), excess sugar and stress.

Determining your need for supplements
Your supplemental need is best answered by analyzing your diet and lifestyle. The ideal way to do this is to keep a diet diary for a month, then calculate your daily intake of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants), and other food factors.Seek the services of a nutrition-oriented practitioner. If you live in a polluted environment or if your job places you in harm’s way, you want your body-burden of toxins measured.

Just how good is your diet?
Hunter-gatherers set the bar very high. To match the past you must be eating large amounts of 100 percent organic, fresh, unprocessed foods, never miss a meal, and every day eat 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables. Oh, and live in a pollution-free environment.As hard as you try, it’s unlikely you’ll ever match the quality of your ancestors’ diet or environment. Quality supplements offer a viable way of ensuring your genes are nurtured with high-density nutrition.

Tom Ballard, R.N., N.D., is founder of Pure Wellness Centers
Green medicine; finding the cause, providing natural solutions.

Renton: 425-255-8100, ext. 6, or Seattle: 206-324-2225.

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The Case for Supplements
by Tom Ballard, R.N., N.D.
(As seen in PCC Sound Consumer May 2008)

“I eat a good diet. Do I really need a nutritional supplement?”

As a nutrition-oriented doctor, I’m asked this question continually. Many people — even my own colleagues — believe diet is enough to maintain health. Sad to say, the evidence no longer supports diet alone for keeping us healthy. Forty years ago, when I began studying nutrition, I believed good, organic, whole food was all people needed. But the world has changed, and so has my opinion.Certainly, I encourage my patients to eat healthy meals and snacks. Medical research overwhelmingly supports good nutrition as one of the top three actions a person can take to live a longer and healthier life. The other two are regular exercise and not smoking. Nutrition is the bedrock on which your health is built. However, there’s compelling evidence that virtually everyone would be healthier if they supplemented their diet, even their “good diet,” with additional, concentrated nutrients.

Top picks in supplements
Individuals vary greatly in their dietary deficiencies. The supplements that I recommend most often are:

Multivitamin/mineral
Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 oils — Fish oils are the most effective, much more than flax oils.
Fresh or dehydrated fruit and vegetable juice — A concentrated powder that can be reconstituted into a drink is an excellent source of easily absorbed antioxidants. Choose a mix of many foods, not the latest hyped drink.
Vitamin D — Underexposure to sunlight makes this a frequent deficiency. Accurate blood testing should be done before supplementation.
Fiber — Stabilized (non-rancid) rice bran or freshly-ground flax seed are good choices.
Probiotics — Friendly bacteria essential for a healthy immune system.
Protein powder — For those unable to eat their requirement of protein. Note: protein is not stored and must be replenished daily. General recommendations are one-half to one gram of protein per 2.2 pounds of body weight.

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Protein Content of Common Foods
(In Grams)

Grains:
Amaranth: 1 cup, 28
Bagel: 1, 9
Dinner roll: 1, 2.4
WW Bread: 1 slice, 2.4
English Muffin: 1, 4.5
Bran Flakes: 1 cup, 4.8
Oatmeal: 1 cup, 6
Sugar Frosted Flakes: 1 cup, 2
Rice Cake: 1, 0.7
Rye Crisp: 1 square, 6
Wheat thins: 8. 1.0
Brown rice: 1 cup, 14.5
Egg noodles: 1 cup, 6.6
Millet: 1 cup, 22.6
Quinoa: 1 cup, 22
Popcorn: 1 cup, 1.5
Spaghetti (WW) 1 cup, 8.4

Legumes:
Black Beans: 1 cup, 15
Garbanzo Beans: 1 cup, 14.5
Lentils: 1 cup, 18
Split Peas: 1 cup, 16
Soybeans: 1 cup, 28.6

Dairy:
Cheddar Cheese: 1 oz, 7.1
Cottage Cheese: 1 cup, 25
Feta Cheese: 1 oz, 4.0
Jack Cheese: 1 oz, 6.9
Whole Milk: 1 cup, 8
Yogurt -plain: 1 cup, 8
Yogurt - skim: 1 cup, 13
Egg: 1, 6
Soy milk: 1 cup, 4-8

Fish:
Cod: 3 oz, 19.4
Crab: 3 oz, 16.5
Halibut: 3 oz, 22.7
Oysters: 3 oz, 12
Salmon - pink: 3 oz, 16.8
Salmon - sockeye: 3 oz, 23.2
Shrimp: 3 oz, 17.8
Tuna in water: 1 can, 42

Meat:
Flank Steak: 4 oz, 22
Lean Grd Beef: 4 oz, 28
Round Steak: 4 oz, 22
Lamb chop: 4 oz, 25.5
Bacon: 3 slices, 5.8
Ham: 3.5 oz, 18.5
Roll Chicken: 2 slices, 11
Chicken - drumstick: 1, 14
Chicken: 3.5 oz, 27
Turkey: 3.5 oz, 28
Turkey Roll: 2 slices, 10.3

Nuts and Seeds:
Almonds: 1 oz, 4.6: 1 cup, 26.4
Almond Butter: 1 Tbs, 2.4
Cashews: 1 oz, 4.4: 1 cup, 24
Hazelnuts: 1 oz, 3.7
Peanuts: 1 oz, 6.6
Peanut Butter: 1 T, 4
Pumpkin Seeds: 1 oz, 7.0: 1cup, 40.6
Sunflower Seeds 1 oz 6.5: 1cup, 35
Sesame Butter (Tahini): 1 Tbs, 2.6
Walnuts: 1 oz, 4.1: 1 cup, 14.8

Vegetables:
Broccoli: ½ cup, 2.3
Carrot: ½ cup, 0.9
Baked Potato: 1 large, 4.7
Zucchini: ½ cup, 0.6

Misc:
Spirulina: 1 cup, 8.6
Tempeh: 100 gm, 19
Tofu, firm: 1/2c, 10

Compiled by Tom Ballad, RN, ND, www.PureWellnessCenters.com

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Check out PCC Sound Consumer for more of Dr. Ballards articles:

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/sc/1002/sc1002-greenmedicine.html