natural girls
Comments
-
I have been enjoying this thread too. Hanging out and learning alot. I always thought I had a pretty good diet. Managed to lose 25 pounds a few years ago and was down to a size six. After going through chemo and just finishing rads, I have tucked on about 8 pounds that I need to lose again. Trying to get back on my old exercise routine but it is a slow comeback and now winter sets in. I do get in my walks most everyday. Interesting that I was craving proteins everytime I started to recover from each chemo treatment. I even ate my first hamburger in many years and it tasted soooo good. Haven't had another since though. Studying up on where else to get those proteins besides red meat which is pretty scarce in our house.
Joan
0 -
Following up on the comments about a link between genetics and the ideal way of eating for each of us, there's an article in the November 2010 issue of MORE Magazine on a similar theme. It's an interview with the corporate medical director for Canyon Ranch, and he talks about phenotypes (where people put on their extra weight) as clues to their genetic structure and which diet will work best for them. It might be worth finding the article, especially if you or someone you know is trying to lose weight. According to him, recent research at Stanford showed that people lost more than twice as much weight (5.3% vs. 2.3% of their body weight) when they were on a diet that fit their genetic type.
Mandy, that's an interesting point about people having more than one heritage. Looking at my own French & Lithuanian ancestry, it seems like I should do well with a couple of foods that I can't tolerate (wheat & potatoes). Yet when I lived in Greece (where I have no ancestors that I know of), I felt the healthiest. So while the theory seems logical, I'm thinking trial & error may be a more practical way to figure this out than ancestry alone.
Welcome Sherry & Joan! And congratulations on that earlier 25 lb. weight loss, Joan! With that kind of accomplishment in the past, plus the walking you're doing, you shouldn't have any problem dropping that chemo weight in the next few months. I also think when it comes to protein, we don't need 1/2 as much as most people eat. It wasn't an overnight change for me, but cutting back on quantity can be an important factor, too -- being content with 3 oz. instead of 6 or 8, and filling up more on other nutrient-packed foods instead. Deanna
0 -
Here is the link to the expo:
http://www.healthfreedomexpo.com/
It seems it is the second weekend in June, NO SNOW AROUND HERE THEN. It is still too early for much info, but the sister event in Long Beach is posted. Did you go last year Deanna?
Designer Mom- I love my Needak too because it is made in the USA-one of the reasons I chose it. Have you ever heard of Dr. Gonzalez, who practices in NYC? He was one of the docs in SuzanneSomers books. This was the program that was discussed last weekend. Of course, mainstream medicine has tried to destroy him, but how can you destroy a guy who uses nutrition for cancer treatment? If chemo helps half the people it is lauded as a miracle. If nutrition fails with one person, it is dismissed as bunk. What is wrong with this picture?$$$$$$
Joan, add some free weights to your walk. It will up your metabolism. Ask LauraGTO for my phone number if you want some more tips. I did get down to a size 6. In fact, my pants are a little baggy. And get Laura's butt out for a walk! I am tired of nagging her!
Patty dear, I have no idea what to say about your little problem. You are an enigma. Maybe you need some pasta? I might be coming to Ohio soon. I will bring you some, since I can't eat it anymore. My Italian ancestors are disowning me. How far are you from Bowling Green?
Here is my theory about Italian Americans, based on my own familia-In Italy, they do eat pasta, but in smaller portions and this is balanced by lots of fresh fruits, veggies and fish. In America, we have lots of pasta, thick crust pizza, and overstuffed beef sandwiches (that's Chicago!). So it is no surprise that they are lean over there, while my family is all fat and diabetic. We were not meant to be high carb eaters. We need more balance.
Now I am off to eat my homemade tomato sauce, poured over zuchinni cut like penne. Ciao!
0 -
vivre -
I am fascinated by Gonzalez's work and the whole field of genotypes and the topic of individualized nutrition - I have read that he believes that there are as many as 90 different variations to individualized "diets"I would love to hear more about his talk. Has he come out with a book?
Beth
0 -
vivre, I had thought about the ancestry/ideal diet thing when I first started reading Nourishing Traditions. At the time, I thought, "That theory doesn't work for me," because I'm pretty much 100% English, Scots, with a smidge of Welsh and a smidge of German. So, I think of heavy meat pies, haggis, and other meat-heavy "delicacies"! LOL. But in spite of my ancestry, I have always craved Mediterranean cuisine (lots of veggies, lots of garlic, etc. -- not really pasta though) -- even though I don't have a drop of Mediterranean blood.
But interestingly, when I started eating pastured eggs and liver from pasture-raised chicken, I immediately started feeling WORLDS better, both physically and emotionally, and they've helped me shed the extra pounds I had gained. In fact I have massive cravings for those two things all the time. So, maybe that's my throw-back to my ancestral diet? And, maybe that's partly why, when I was a raw vegan, I gained weight and developed cancer??
0 -
This is all very interesting. I am craving olives! My background is Irish, Austria and pre German. The one side of the family arrived in USA in the 1750's. I can't understand why the olives but I could also eat a ton of potatoes! I would give up red meat anytime since I can't hardly stand the taste.and eat potatoes until I was stuffed...
Vivre, the conference sounds great.
0 -
Vivre... thanks for suggesting the free weights. I will start doing that. I get most of my aerobics on a recumbent bike during the winter and do alot of arm exercises while riding. I am having lunch with LauraGTO tomorrow so will get after her for you.
0 -
vivre- I have heard of Dr. Gonzalez, but don't know anyone who has been to him. It's not in my budget to see someone not covered by my insurance. If things open up financially I will look into his practice. I was also interested in the doctor who specializes in Iodine therapy. I think it is Dr. Flechas in Long Island? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could spend some of this bloody medical money on alternative, complimentary, nutritional doctors!!!!0
-
I think this would be a great discussion for online chat. I am going to get this set up on my website, and I will send out a news blast to members so we can all chat at the same time. We can also do book discussions. I also made contact with someone who knows Jane Plant. She suggested I ask her to participate. Wouldn't that be fun! And then I will go after Dr. Flechas too! And since this nutritionist who spoke this weekend, knows Dr. Gonzalez, maybe he could explain his protocol. Okay, so maybe I am dreaming, but hey, it is worth a try.
Crunchy, my friend had the same experience as a vegan. She felt great at first, but then really crashed. I think this whole concept might explain the eat for your blood type theory too.
The other thing that was really interesting was the idea that the first line of defense is not our immune system, but digestive enzymes. This too could explain how everything starts with nutrition. Autisitic kids are born with underactive digestive systems. Could this be why the more vacinnes they get, the more vulnerable they become?
0 -
I have heard this theory before and from what I remember we should go back at the least 100 years and eat what our ancestors ate then. Fascinating stuff. I am French, Belgium and Hungarian and have absolutely no idea what the Hungarian side ate but I do love to cook French food, although it's high in fat and calories. I have been trying to do the Perricone diet: all high antioxidant foods, high omega 3 protein and lots of fresh vegis & fruit. So far it is keeping me thin.
0 -
As far as this "eat what your ancestors" I'm a "heinz 57" so I guess I can eat everything, lol!!!!!
Vivre- When are you coming to Ohio???? I would love to see you!! I am about 2 hours south of Bowling Green. We could definitely meet somewhere! What is enigma? I eat a ton of pasta and still have trouble gaining weight!
Love to all, Patty
0 -
Patty, you can have some of my pounds.
I'm not a calorie counter, so I don't know what my daily intake is. Since I don't have much of a sweet tooth anymore, my new comfort food is hummus. I imagine it's loaded with calories. Ladies, I'm finding myself in need of a different kind of support group these days. My mom is losing her marbles. Has been for a while, but it seems like the pace is accelerating at an alarming rate. I've become more involved with her doctor visits. She has 18 prescriptions on her list. Some are 'as needed', but about a dozen are meds she takes daily. When I look at the information sheet on each one, it seems like they all cause forgetfulness, dizziness, fatigue, mental confusion. She's also hard of hearing, so it's difficult to know if she's not hearing, or not comprehending.
Does anyone know of a good forum for people dealing with issues surrounding aging parents? I'm posting the question here first because I'm especially interested to learn if anyone has achieved improvement in health by ditching the plethora of prescriptions. One of her scrips is prednisone, which is one of those drugs not to be discontinued abruptly, and probably the same for her anti depressant. I don't know if she's even willing to give it a go without her scrips, but she's on the verge of losing her independence. I'd like to think that she could regain some of the ground she's lost, but I don't have any frame of reference to give me a reality check.
0 -
althea - I would take your pounds if I could, lol, that would be the easy way. I'm one of those that doesn't care a bit about food. Since the bc I have had to force myself to eat and eat healthy. I will try the hummus. Thanks for the tip.
I too am dealing with my Mom that is 95. She is just now getting forgetful. She just put herself into a nursing home. She has always been very "with it" and she is one of the best complainers I have ever witnessed!!!!! It sounds like your Mom is over loaded with meds. That happens so often with the elderly. I don't think the doctors even care how the meds are affecting them. My Mom was a nurse and she knows what she can take and not take which is a big help. I have heard of so many people ditching there meds and feeling a ton better. That is such a tough call for you. Let me know if you find a support group, I could sure use one also. Hang in there!!!!
Love to all, Patty
PS - My brother had a massive heart attack last week. His heart had stopped and they did CPR on him all the way to the hospital. His main artery was blocked 100 %. They put a stent in and cleaned it out. He is a BIG smoker. The doctors are checking out his lungs. He may have emphysema. He is only 58. Dang, it is always something!!!!!!!
0 -
Althea, sorry I can't help about your mom. My aunt had a lot of meds also. Finally, she went to a and old gerontologist who took away all her heart-related drugs and she "woke up." Then he took away her cholesterol meds, and one-by one, she felt better. The gerontologist said many doctors give out meds so as not to be sued. He was so old himself, he didn't care. He also said most of the meds have not been tested on old people!
I love hummus too. I can't stop eating it once I start because it is such a yummy comfort food. Very high in calories tho
Patty, sorry to hear about your brother getting a stent but at least they did not have to do a bypass which is major heart surgery!
0 -
Patty, sorry to hear about your brother. But it sounds as if they have been able to help him. Hopefully he will be able to give up smoking.
Althea, I think the experience of mollyann's aunt makes alot of sense. Why don't you see if you can take your mom to a gerontologist and make a list of all of the prescriptions and the instructions (and maybe even some of the side effects). That way the doc has everything in front of him on a simple list since s/he may not remember all of the side effects of each medication. Maybe some of the meds can be ditched. My mother was over medicated like that years ago---she had this strange side effect of a raspy voice, which made it difficult for her to speak. They blamed it on this and on that and wanted to run a zillion tests on her, but they never blamed it on her medication. At the end, when she was in hospice, they removed all of her medications and low and behold my mother's voice returned. They do over-medicate and I'd never be able to remember to take as many medications as your mom has been given.
Have a nice day all.
Mandy
0 -
althea.. not sure of a site.. bet if you google this, it will be found. I just got back from the East coast as I have a stubborn, will not move, change or call for anything 91 year old DAD. It is tough. He is still driving, meds are manageable and obviosuy still gets around. He takes his 80 year old lady friend out everday after his senior lunch! I know it is challenging ,and hope a sight can be located. One idea, seeing a geriatric DR..Sometimes they have a bit more understanding of this and may have more sense with the meds and such!!!
seaotter.. I am skinny and cannot put weight on. I just had a test done to determine if I am absorbing nutrients and rule out leaky gut!Hope ypur brother is doin better also!
Donna
0 -
Donna - I think I could gain weight if I started eating crap again!!! It is hard to gain weight and eat healthy!!!
mollyann - I was cruising the internet and found this site: http://www.pureprevention.org/about.php Is that you???? Maybe you have mention this site before but I noticed you right away!!!! You are a star
. BTW it is a great site!!!!!Thanks for the support with my brother. I talked to him today and he said he has quit smoking!!!!! That is HUGE for him. I just pray it will continue.
Love, Patty
0 -
hmmmm, it seems we may have found a loophole! Like MollyAnn's mom....find a doctor who is too old to have to play CYA. It's so crazy it just might work!
....and please forgive me, Althea....it is not my intention to make light of your situation. I too have heard of so many elders who do much better with fewer meds. I hope you can find some good guidance.
Best wishes to your brother, Patty. That's quite a scare! It's really hard to quit smoking. But your brother can do it. When I quit, the thing that helped me stick to it, is that I never wanted to have to start over and quit again. And I carried a small marble between my first two fingers because I missed having something there.
0 -
Suzanne3131 wrote:
hmmmm, it seems we may have found a loophole! Like MollyAnn's mom....find a doctor who is too old to have to play CYA. It's so crazy it just might work!
LOL, that's it!! Actually, there's a pediatrician around here who finally retired a few years ago in her late 90's... people who think like us loved her because she was into treating with nutrition whenever possible, and she didn't cram vaccines down anyone's throats (so to speak, LOL). I guess she was too old to have to play CYA too!
Althea, I agree, I think she's almost certainly being overmedicated -- 18??! I hope she is able to wean off of some of those and start feeling more like herself!
Patty, good for your brother!! I wish him all the best!
0 -
Patty, a friend of mine turned 70 this year and he gave up smoking after many decades of the habit. Was so glad to see him do that. I think he used a low dose of wellbutrin during the transition and something else.
Mandy, my mom also has a voice so raspy she has difficulty speaking at times. I went with my mom to her doctor appt today. She's been on fosomax for a long while and he told her to finish what she has and then go off that med. One down, 17 to go! lol Except that some of the items on her list she doesn't take, and those are the bioidentical hormones he prescribed.
When I asked mom about them, she said she hasn't taken hormones since she had breast cancer. Wellll, that was THIRTY YEARS ago!! So I'm thinking, good grief, they have information on her chart that's three decades old? So when the doctor comes in I want clarification about this huge list of meds -- is it meds from her entire history or what she currently takes? Doc says it should be current. When I told him that mom thinks she hasn't taken hormones since her bc dx, he immediately turns to her and starts quizzing her about her memory. Turns out, he issued a refill for her bioidenticals just this last summer. So no telling how long ago mom stopped taking them.
Doc also said the patient is the only feedback loop to know if the prescribed meds are filled and then taken. For me, this is one more puzzle piece, as I continue to be baffled by this 'health' care system we have. Even with all my experience as a bc patient, I still don't know what we can reasonably expect from all the players. I'm sure my mom considers herself a model patient, but as it turns out, she'll say that she's taking everything the doc prescribes even when she's not. Some aspects of my mom's world view are a bit convoluted, and much of it came long before her advanced age! Spending much time with her makes me feel like I'm in an episode of the twilight zone.
So anyway, there will be a scrip for bioidenticals ready for her tomorrow and the doc says her memory and energy levels should improve within days of using them again. Crossing my fingers and hoping he's right.
0 -
althea - Can you get a scrip for biodenticals for me???? I could sure use some memory and energy!!!!!
Hope it goes well.I had a bone scan done the other day and my osteopenia (spelling?) is worse but not by much. Of course she wanted to give me those awful drugs for it but I refused. I have been taking Strontium. Does anyone have any suggestions what else could possibly help with it?
Love to all, Patty
0 -
Althea, it sounds like you're already making progress with your Mom's situation. Like the others, I've never heard of being RX'd 18 meds, other than some of the early HIV regimens. Surely a combination of even 1/3 of those would cause confusion. And I don't know how anyone, no matter what their age, can avoid missed doses and/or doubling up when there are that many to keep track of. My 85-year old MIL had to suddenly go into assisted living (totally against her will) about a year ago due to an incident that caused doctors in the state inwhich she lives to declare her a "vulnerable adult" after she got seriously lost driving. Long story short, although she's a retired RN and had driven alone cross-country as recently as 2 years ago, we found out when this all happened that she definitely had not been taking her 5 or 6 meds (a number that astounded us, because she's relatively healthy) on schedule. It's horrible what happens to people as they age, including docs simply RX'ing potent pharmaceuticals for every little symptom. And yes, I've had friends whose geriatric parents did a complete turnaround when taken to a naturalpath or similar doc and gotten off their drug concoctions. So I hope you can do the same with your Mom. She's lucky to have you there to advocate for her needs.
Patty, so sorry about your brother's heart attack, but thank goodness they were able to save him. I hope it will turn out to be a motivating wake up call for him. As far as the osteopenia, I think we've discussed this in PMs, but be sure your calcium supplement has enough magnesium to ensure proper absorption. Beyond that, are you doing any weight bearing exercise? That's a biggie for building strong bones.
Suzanne, love the old doctor idea!
Here's an interesting article -- from a pharmaceutical industry journal, no less!
http://www.pharmpro.com/News/FeedsAP/2010/11/report-pharmaceutical-firms-hire-scofflaw-doctors/
I wonder if the fact that all the docs mentioned are in Florida in any way ties into the number of elderly, retired people there -- possibly the ideal population on which to ply 18 RX's each?! Deanna
0 -
Oh dear Deanna I don't remember PMs talking about osteopenia
. I don't take calcium. I have read so much that it does not help. Strontium is the thing that helps better than calcium. Maybe someone else will chime in with some help. I do need to do more weight bearing exercising. Thanks for that reminder. (and you think your memory is bad!!!)Patty
0 -
Patty, I think this is the article on calcium & magnesium I'd posted earlier:
http://www.jonbarron.org/heart-health-program/nl100809/killer-calcium.php
And this one's also interesting: http://www.jonbarron.org/blog/2010/10/magnesium-reduces-diabetes-risk.html
Personally, I've found much better absorption (which I gauge based how my nails are doing) if I use a calcium citrite product with a high magnesium ratio, which is what several of the newest formulations offer. The one I've been using for a few months and really like is called Everyday Calcium by Rainbow Light. Deanna
0 -
Thanks Deanna!!! I was looking at fox news and came across this: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/11/18/estrogen-makes-smarter-helping-brain-cells-chat/ It is no wonder I'm not smart anymore!
Patty
0 -
Has anyone else seen Dr. Marisa Weiss' blog called "Think Pink, Live Green" here on breastcancer.org where she focuses on the "environmental" impact on cancer? (Her link is directly below the comments and on the front of the web page.) This weeks blog is all about organic fruits and vegetables. Yipee!
Although it's unfortunate that she too has joined "the sisterhood", I'm hopeful she will have an impact on the discussions that seem to have some of the medical community spinning in circles.
Best health always to everyone,
SuperMom101
p.s. I think I've discovered the confusion on the thread from some time ago about Dr. Oz and the confusing aspirin, ibuprofen discussion that had me so annoyed. My comment wasn't directed to one of the posters here although her post was directly before mine so it looked like I was commenting on hers. It was the www.breastcancer.org group that was advertising Dr. Oz with Sheryl Crow.
Still owe the breast cancer rates in Asia (specifically China vs. Hong Kong, etc.) and will forward soon.
0 -
Hi SuperMom
Thanks for letting me know about Dr. Weiss's blog. I had completely missed it. I found her posting on organic vegetables and avoiding pesticides interesting, particularly because she referred to a 2007 study which showed that exposure to DDT before age 14 greatly increased your risk of breast cancer. I was familiar with this study because my sister and I, who are BRCA negative and the only members of my family with breast cancer, (she died in 2004), both had heavy exposure to DDT as children since no one was aware of the danger of this now banned pesticide. Thanks to Dr. Weiss for this blog post!
0 -
LOL, Patty! My brain cells could definitely use some boosting and improved connectivity! I think I have a lot of dead connectors, but I don't think it's just from the lack of estrogen. I was listening to an XM Radio "Dr. Radio" discussion a couple of days ago on alcoholism, and the 12-Steps expert was saying how alcohol destroys brain cells and how important nutrition is to the healing process. And all I could think is, darn... if alcohol (which isn't nearly as strong as chemotherapy drugs) can destroy brain cells, what about chemo???!!! And how can oncologists disregard the importance of nutrition for those of us who had chemo? It's incredulous to me that doctors acknowledge the importance of nutrition when it comes to recovering from drinking, but don't see the importance of nutrition to rebuild after chemo and to strengthen our bodies to prevent a future recurrence. Deanna
0 -
How true Deanna!
0 -
Where do you get ganoderma coffee and coconut creamer??? It sounds so yummy!
0
