natural healing

Hiatal Hernia: More Tips for Controlling Your Hiatal Hernia

March 6, 2019 by Joi Leave a Comment

A while back, I wrote an article, “Tips for Living with a Hiatal Hernia: Dealing with the Symptoms Naturally” (linked below) and I continue to hear from people who have a similar condition. Whether it’s in the comments or through e-mail, I’ve learned that a lot of people have this “nightmare” of a situation. I wanted to update my tips because I’ve recently come across a few other things that have helped me a great deal.

I hasten to say, obviously, that just because these have helped me DOES NOT necessarily mean that they will help you. However, because there is really so very little information out there about Hiatal Hernias, one of our best bets is to learn from each another.

My own experience has taught me that the following tips are a wonderful place to start when you’re trying to control your hiatal hernia naturally:

Keep a food journal. Write down everything you eat and drink as well as whether you experience hiatal hernia problems during or after each meal. If you get hiccups, write it down. If you have heartburn or pain, write it down. If you feel like food is trapped in the esophagus, write it down!
Keep an activity journal. The following will show you why this is important.
Do NOT lift heavy objects. Some of my worst hiatal hernia episodes occurred after lifting heavy bags of birdseed. Even lifting a heavy trash bag out of a trash can can be too much for a hernia.
Don’t move furniture around. This one surprised me but, after an especially bad episode with my hernia (food got trapped for hours and I was in agony), I thought back over what I had done the previous day. I realized I had not lifted anything… then it hit me, I had rearranged some furniture on the carport which meant tugging at a very heavy table and sliding a few chairs around. Apparently pushing and pulling heavy furniture is as bad as lifting it when you have a temperamental hernia.
Do NOT hang upside down (inversion tables, playgrounds…). Okay, this one sounds kind of nuts – but it is a nightmare for hernias. I had to give up something I dearly loved (yoga) simply because many of the poses involved too much stress for my hiatal hernia.
Eat SLOWLY and chew each bite mindfully. It honestly makes a world of difference. I used to eat fairly fast because I didn’t want my husband or daughters having to wait for me to get through. I quickly decided that I’d rather be the last one eating than to be the first one in pain. In fact, I make a point of even putting my fork or spoon down every now and again to make sure I go slow and easy.
Carbonated beverages are not a good idea. AT ALL. Switching exclusively to water and/or tea is the way to go. It can be tough if you’re used to soft drinks but, trust this former Diet Dr. Pepper addict, the improvement is worth it. Besides, tea actually does taste better!
Papaya Enzymes are phenomenal. I take them after every meal as well as when I feel a little “too full.”
Aloe Vera Juice is also something I always keep on hand. It’s wonderful for heartburn, indigestion, and drinking it regularly seems to help with all of my hiatal hernia issues.

Due to the fact that I started keeping a VERY thorough food journal (when you’re tired of being in pain, you get drastic!), I discovered that a few different foods smelled trouble for me.

First of all, I found that, more times than not, when I got painful hiatal hernia related hiccups, I was eating chicken or something containing chicken. I even referred to them as “chiccups” because I was almost always eating chicken. So, I decided to give chicken up and see what happened.

I saw a huge improvement immediately.

Through similar detective work with my food journal, I found that “dense” meats (hot dogs, ribs, pork chops, roast) caused problems for me. Fish, “thin” hamburgers, pulled pork (tender), bacon, and breakfast sausage didn’t give me any problems (thank goodness!), so I decided to stick with them.

Food Combinations

I’ve also found that food combinations can cause as much trouble as certain foods, individually, can. If rice, for example, is paired with a meat – I am apt to have issues. So, if I’m eating rice with meat, I now know to eat very, very slowly and chew my food like my very life depends upon it.

Your food journal will help you discover problematic foods as well as combinations. Having a journal helped me discover that thin hamburgers weren’t the problem – it was the bread they were on. Most people with hiatal hernias cannot tolerate bread at all.

My journal also saved me from having to give up shrimp. I found that it wasn’t the shrimp, itself, that was the problem (although I do now eat extra slowly when eating shrimp) – the problem was the combination of shrimp with rice, two foods I almost always paired.

Licorice for Esophageal Healing

An individual with a hiatal hernia has an esophagus that’s under a lot of stress – the esophageal sphincter (LES), in particular, takes a beating when the hernia is doing its thing. Fortunately, we can help heal the area and improve inflammation by eating and drinking things that aren’t acidic or harmful. We can also promote healing with licorice – one of the few things shown to help heal the inflammation.

I take a licorice capsule daily and have for about a year. I would highly recommend it for anyone with a hiatal hernia.

Not only does the hernia, itself, wreak havoc on the esophagus, the acid reflux we frequently experience does as well. Here is an excellent article I found online: 5 Supplements That Heal Tissue Damage Caused By Acid Reflux. Excellent advice, here.

Tips for Living with a Hiatal Hernia: Dealing with the Symptoms Naturally

Review: Tox-Sick From Toxic to Not Sick by Suzanne Somers

July 15, 2016 by Joi Leave a Comment

TOX-SICK – From Toxic to NOT Sick by Suzanne Somers

“Consider this book your crash course in curing whatever ails you as you heal your insides by ridding your body of the toxins.” – Page 12

If you’re like me, when Suzanne Somers first entered the field of health and healing, you thought, “What does Chrissy Snow know about anything – she read the obituaries and thought everybody died in alphabetical order?!” Although it’s not me at my best, I have to admit, when the beautiful and ageless actress first began speaking out about health issues, I didn’t immediately pay attention.

It’s only half my fault, though. I was an AVID Three’s Company fan (during the time Chrissy was on the show, that is – when she left, I left). John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers WERE Jack, Janet, and Chrissy. Audra Lindley and Norman Fell? Well, they were, of course, the Ropers. I had the episodes memorized and knew each time Jack was about to trip or Chrissy was about to be completely and adorably clueless.

Chrissy isn’t clueless anymore.

In a beautiful and fortuitous twist of irony, Chrissy’s portrayer, Suzanne Somers, is exceptionally bright and highly intelligent. What’s more, she’s possibly an even better author than she is an actress.

I understand what you may be thinking, “Yes, she’s beautiful, talented, intelligent, and unforgivably ageless – but I don’t need medical advice from her…” Before you take that stance, let me point out that she isn’t trying to be anyone’s doctor – she’s using her fame, research, personal experience, and writing talent to relay information from nutritionists, doctors, and an entire team of medical experts. If each of these experts were to compile their knowledge, experience, and research into books, it would take us years to read them all.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

In her wonderful, informative, and best-selling, thank you very much, books, Suzanne Somers does all of the research for us and puts it all in one place. What’s more, let’s face it, she’s much easier to “read” than a panel of physicians might be.

Here newest book, Tox-Sick: From Toxic to Not Sick isn’t just a must-read, it’s an absolutely must read.

“It’s as if we are all on a big, chemical drunk, and the hangover is a killer.” — Suzanne Somers, in TOX-SICK

From the Back Cover:

Pioneering health and wellness advocate, Suzanne Somers, delivers a powerful answer in this expose on the immediate and long-term dangers of living in a world that has become increasingly toxic to our health. The build-up of toxins in our bodies can lead to myriad health concerns — including weight gain, food allergies, brain disorders, cancer, among many others. Moved to investigate by her own family’s plight, Suzanne sits down with environmental doctors and specialists who share eye-opening information and practical advice for how to survive, thrive, and stay healthy today. In Tox-Sick you’ll learn how to effectively detox all your body’s systems and the different survival skills that can save your life, from top experts in the field, including:

DR. SHERRY ROGERS, an environmental doctor for over 40 years, shares the truth about detoxification—and where you will likely be if you don’t take it seriously.
DR. NICHOLAS GONZALEZ shares where cancer comes from and how to manage it by detoxifying the liver and supplementing with enzymes.
DR. RITCHIE SHOEMAKER alerts you to mold toxicity, the newest threat to your brain and wellbeing…and just what to do to fight for your health.
DR. WALTER CRINNION teaches what everyday objects to avoid and the simple diet and lifestyle shifts to clean up your health and home in mere weeks!
DR. STEPHEN SINATRA, America’s leading integrative cardiologist, explains that we have been approaching heart disease all wrong: a healthy gut, detoxed body, and quality fats are each crucial and cardioprotective.
DR. GARRY GORDON shares new protocols for removing toxic lead from the body, as well as ways to keep the most important gland in your body, the thyroid, clean and healthy.

From diet and supplement advice to coconut oil cleanses, everything you need to live clean and enjoy great health is in your hands.

{Review Continued Below}

Tox-Sick is as fascinating as it is eye-opening and it’s not an overstatement to say that it has the potential to improve health and save lives.

When doing book reviews – especially for books that I want VERY much for you to read for yourself, I’m always extra careful about giving away too much information. Information “sticks” better and has a more lasting effect when the reader “discovers” it on his/her own. Besides, Suzanne Somers didn’t work this hard on a book just to have an overly-caffeinated animal lover in Kentucky give everything away on her blog!

However, I do want to give you a few highlights from the book. These are, of course, just tips of a life-changing iceberg.

In Tox-Sick, You Will Learn…

Why the Low-Fat Food Movement has Caused More Harm than Good. “The diet-heart (low-fat) hypothesis is the greatest scientific deception of this century, perhaps of any century.” – George Mann, eminent American physician and scientist
How Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes Can Help Your Body Heal and Rid Itself of Toxins Naturally.
How Damage from Toxins Can Actually Mimic Other Diseases.
The Alarming Danger of Cell Phones and What You Can Do About It.
Clear Ways to Identify if You Have Toxins in Your Body.
The Gut-Cancer Connection.
Why Processed Foods are Something You Should Swear Off.
Protecting Your Home, Family, and Workplace. “An EPA study concluded that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.” (page 219)
Everything You Need to Know About GMOs.
The Effect of Toxins on Your Brain.
Recommended Supplements, including the importance of Vitamin D. “Unless your vitamin D levels are optimal, you are opening the door to a host of disorders, ranging from heart disease and Alzheimer’s to weak bones and diabetes.” (page 280)
The Effect of Toxins on Your Heart.
The Effect of Toxins on Your Thyroid and Hormones.
Dangers of the Wrong Household Cleaners.
Coming Clean – The Basics of Detox. Includes a great 9-Point Detox Checklist.
How to Go from Tox-Sick to NOT SICK.
Much, much more…

The book includes a wealth of information, research findings, personal experiences (some are from Suzanne Somers’ own family), and interviews with leading physicians and other experts in the field of medicine and healing.

“The secret to survival in today’s world is to get your body so chemically UNLOADED and primed with nutrients that it heals itself.” – Dr. Sherry Rogers

After reading TOX-SICK, I’m never going to look at the food or cleaners I buy ever the same again. And I think that’s the whole idea.

I hope you’ll grab a copy of TOX-SICK today – either on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.

This one is a perfect 10! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own.

Common Drugs (for Allergies, Sleep, and Depression) That Can Shrink Your Brain

June 1, 2016 by Joi Leave a Comment

I might just be the queen of e-mail newsletters. Someone recently said that e-mail newsletters are “dead.” I said, “Not in my inbox.. they’re very much alive and well.” One of my favorite health-related newsletters is called Doctor’s House Call. It’s from Dr. Al Sears, MD and I highly recommend it.

I was anxious to share a recent edition with you. How anxious? Well, it just landed in my inbox and hour ago.

THAT anxious.

Many drugs that we buy and use regularly are actually doing our brains harm. Benadryl and Dimetapp (allergies), Unisom (sleep aid), Paxil (depression). Dramamine (motion sickness), and Demerol (pain killer).

I have used Benadryl, personally, for allergies as long as I can remember. As for the others, I’m only familiar with Dramamine – I’ve used it for motion sickness a few times over the years. The problem with these drugs is this: They all belong to a class of drugs called anticholinergics (AC). These medicines are effective because they block the action of acetylcholine in the brain.

As Dr. Sears points out, “.. it’s always a bad idea to wage war on a part of your body.”

I’ll simply let you read the rest of the newsletter by posting it below. I’ll chime in at the bottom with more information about where you can find the natural remedies he lists.

From Doctor’s House Call June 1, 2016:

——————– NEWSLETTER —————–

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. It carries messages throughout your nervous system and stimulates muscle contractions throughout your body.

AC drugs stop that stimulation. They block acetylcholine from getting into nerve cells. That can shut down natural movement of muscles in the gut, lungs, heart, urinary tract, and other parts of the body.

Perhaps worst of all, it affects the parts of the brain involved in learning and memory. I’ve seen confusion, memory loss and declining mental skills in my patients who come to me on these drugs.

New research confirms what I’ve seen in my own practice. Studies now link AC drugs to cognitive impairment and dementia.

Researchers looked at patients’ brains using PET scans and MRIs. They found that people taking AC drugs had reduced brain sizes. They also had lower brain metabolism.

In other words, their brains weren’t as active. It was especially true in the hippocampus — the part of the brain associated with memory.

Another study in JAMA Internal Medicine found a link between long-term use of AC drugs and dementia. Pharmacists from the University of Washington tracked nearly 3,500 men and women aged 65 and older. They used pharmacy records to determine all the drugs each person took in the 10 years before starting the study. Then they tracked the people for seven years.

Results showed people who used AC drugs were more likely to develop dementia. And their dementia risk increased with the cumulative dose over the years. Taking an AC for more than three years meant a 54% higher dementia risk than taking the same dose for just a few months.

But even taking AC drugs for a few months can interfere with your ability to think. A study in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia found that AC drugs cause cognitive problems when taken continuously for as few as 60 days.

Here are some alternatives I suggest to my patients.

1. Natural Sleep Aids

Instead of Unisom or other dangerous sleeping pills, I recommend these 100% natural alternatives. You can get them at most health food stores.

Melatonin. This natural sleep hormone reverses insomnia by resetting your clock. But make sure you get the right kind. Pills get destroyed in your gut before you get the full effect. I recommend melatonin sprays. Take 500 micrograms to 1 mg about 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep.

Valerian Root. This herb has a calming effect on the nerves. It helps you fall asleep and get better quality sleep. Take 300 to 600 mg, 30 minutes to two hours before going to bed. It may take up to two weeks of daily usage to get the full benefits.

Tryptophan. This amino acid is found in sleep-inducing foods milk and turkey. I use a starting dose of 250 mg a half an hour before bedtime. If that doesn’t produce good quality sleep, increase the dose to 500 mg. You can enhance its effect by taking it with a glass of warm milk.

2. Natural Antihistamines

When your immune system spots an invader, your body releases defensive chemicals called histamines. Itching, sneezing and even hives are all signs that histamines are at work. Instead of reaching for AC drugs like Benadryl and Dimetapp, try these alternatives.

Marshmallow Root. Used in traditional European cough medicines, it’s known to relieve irritation of mucous membranes. And it helps the body expel excess mucus. Look for dried root, extracts, teas, tinctures or capsules in your health food store.

Burdock. Both the seeds and the root help soothe the mucous membranes. It’s also used to treat colds and sore throats.

Acerola Cherry. Considered a “superfruit,” this cherry has eight times more vitamin C than an orange and acts as a natural antihistamine.

3. Nature’s Antidepressant

Boosting vitamin D can help get you off dangerous AC antidepressants like Paxil. It helps the brain make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. In fact, vitamin D can boost serotonin by anywhere from double to 30 times. ⁴

I recommend a daily intake of 8,000 IUs of vitamin D. Here are the best ways to get it…

Sunshine. Getting some midday sun unprotected for about 10 to 15 minutes a day is good for you. It will give you between 3,000 and 5,000 IUs of vitamin D.

Vitamin D Foods. A serving of cooked wild salmon or mackerel provides roughly 350 IU vitamin D. Sardines or tuna in oil provide about 225 IUs of vitamin D. And one tablespoon of cod liver oil contains nearly 1,400 IUs.

Vitamin D3 Supplements. I recommend taking a supplement of vitamin D3 called cholecalciferol. It’s the same vitamin D3 that your body produces. Just be sure to avoid the synthetic D2 form found in most multivitamins. It’s less potent and less absorbable.

——————– END OF THE NEWSLETTER—————–

Where Can You Find these Supplements?

Sunshine and Vitamin D foods are easy enough, and the other natural alternatives take very little effort. You can check Dr. Sears’ Private Label Supplements at Primal Force Supplements.

Marshmallow Root, from Nature’s Way
Burdock, from Nature’s Way
Acerola Chewable Cherry Wafers
Salam Vitamin D3
You can find the other supplements on Amazon

Again, I wholeheartedly recommend the Dr. Al Sears, MD newsletter. I’m going to try the Acerola Cherry and Marshmallow Root (tea) and see if they can handle what my intense allergies throw at them. I’ll let you know how it goes! If you’re looking for a more natural alternative to what ails you, be sure to keep your usual medication on hand, just in case. I’m anxious to try allergy supplements, but I have zero intention of being caught without Benadryl on hand.

Also, if you could possibly be allergic to any supplement or ingredient in that supplement, don’t even think about it. Look for your next alternative.

~ Joi

Acerola Chewable Cherry Wafers

3 Simple Things You Can Do Today to Feel Better Tomorrow

May 6, 2014 by Joi 8 Comments

Dr. Frank King is a chiropractor and doctor of naturopathy specializing in homeopathic remedies. He has added author to his bio with an exciting new book, The Healing Revolution: Eight Essentials to Awaken Abundant Life, Naturally.

“Imagine you’re a spider with just one leg,” says Dr. King. “You put forth immense effort to try to haul yourself around and not only does it wear you out, it’s frustrating and you don’t get far. It gets a bit easier with two legs and easier still with four legs. But it’s not till you have all eight legs that you can really dance!”

Dr. King explains that the eight legs represent Eight Essentials we need for optimum mental, physical and spiritual health:

Empowering your human spirit
Water
Nutrition
Fitness
Sleep
Nature
Relationships
Hands On Techniques (touch).

“It would be overwhelming and self-defeating to look at all eight areas and think, ‘I have to make significant changes in every area immediately!” Dr. King says. “You don’t have to and who could? I know from my experience with countless patients and friends, and even in my own life, that you can see immediate results by making a few small changes at a time.”

Below, Dr. King describes three steps we can take today that we can actually benefit from tomorrow… if not sooner!

Drink half your body weight in ounces of spring or well water every day.

If you weigh 150 pounds, that’s 75 ounces of water (about 9 cups).

“Many of us walk around dehydrated without realizing it and that can have a significant effect on our health and how we feel,” Dr. King says. Dehydrated bodies trap toxins and encourage water retention – a natural defense against the chronic “drought.”

“Our bodies need the steady flow of pure, spring or well water. If you don’t like the taste, try mixing up to a teaspoon of sea salt into a quart of water,” he says.

A simple test for dehydration: Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and hold for three seconds. When you release, if the ridge from the pinch remains for more than a second, you’re probably dehydrated.

Take at least a few minutes every day to connect with nature. Nature brings perpetual revitalization and ongoing renewal, especially when experienced through multiple senses: the smell of freshly turned earth or evergreens in the woods; the touch of cool stream water on your face or feet; the sight of birds on the wing and budding blooms.

“These are not just pleasant little gifts to experience – we need them for restoration, renewal, revival and rehabilitation,” Dr. King says. “The more disconnected we become from the Earth, the more we inhibit our body’s natural ability to heal.”

Take a brisk, 10- to 20-minute walk every day. Walking is the simplest, most natural form of exercise. You might walk a nature trail, walk to the store instead of driving or take your pet for a stroll.

“Three brisk 10-minute walks a day are as effective at lowering blood pressure as one 30-minute walk,” Dr. King says, citing an Arizona State University study. “Outdoor walking is preferable to walking on a treadmill or other machine, since the uneven surfaces and changing directions of natural walking will engage more muscles and tendons.”

Swing each arm in synchronization with the opposite foot to strengthen your cross-crawl functionality and mind-body balance.

About Dr. Frank King:

Dr. Frank King is a chiropractor, doctor of naturopathy, and founder and president of King Bio, an FDA-registered pharmaceutical manufacturing company dedicated to education, research, development, manufacture and distribution of safe and natural homeopathic medicines for people and pets. Dr. King is also the author of, The Healing Revolution: Eight Essentials to Awaken Abundant Life Naturally! (www.kingbio.com). A fourth-generation farmer, Dr. King raises yak, camel, boar, wisent and American bison sold under the Carolina Bison brand. He is a member of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States.