Okay guys and girls…I have been asked this question repeatedly.  Is there anything to worry about?  My answer is the same as it was when the question contained the words “bird” and flu together.  No!!  It is still the flu and the best defense is a good offense.  Those of you who know me closely – know that I am not a sports fan and are probably laughing that I used a sporting reference.  But in this case it just fits perfectly.

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I don’t advocate being quite this close and personal with members of the swine family (see pic of kid kissing the piggy).  At this point we do not need to be any more worried about this than the regular flu.  I recommend to my patients, clients, friends…anyone who will listen to me rant – that you should not consume pork and pork based products.

Their meat is very similar to human flesh and contains some bacteria that isn’t really good for people.  I say this from a wellness standpoint because I understand that people have eaten pork for their entire lives and live to a ripe old age.  There are just so many things bombarding our systems that we need to reduce the toxic load in as many areas that we can.

By reducing this toxic load we are thus reducing our risks for bacterial, viral and fungal infections as well as other diseases and cancers.  Pork is just an unclean meat.  That is one of the reasons why folks of the Jewish faith do not consume pork.   

What we need to focus on is keeping our immune system functioning at top capacity.

Drink lots of optimized (hydromag) water each day
Take a good quality, absorb-able vitamin c (lypospheric vitamin c)
Pau d’ Arco is good for an immune boost
Colloidal Silver to keep the overall bacterial, viral, fungal load to a minimum
A high quality multivitamin/mineral – Beyond Chelation Improved
Vitamin D and Sunlight (15 minutes with as much exposed skin as possible 4-5 times per week)
Liver/Kidney Cleanse – maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our detoxifying organs

Please don’t mistake or misquote me here…I am not saying that if you do these things you will not get the flu or even get sick.  It’s really okay to get sick.  It shows that your immune system is doing its job.  Being sick isn’t fun, but what doesn’t kill us make us stronger.  Its like the gym for your immune system.  When you do get sick the worst thing to do is start taking unnecessary antibiotics.  There are so many cases that can be treated just as easily (in most cases easier and more effective) that using antibiotics.  I know we don’t have time to be sick, but you are doing far worse by your body and potentially increasing the risk of stronger, hard to kill and resistant to antibiotic bacterial “sugerbug” by taking antibiotics when you don’t actually need them.

In most cases it really is a transient virus running its course.  Even if there is some bacterial implication I would still recommend colloidal silver because that takes care of both – virus and bacteria.  If you think you may have the flu or want additional information on implementing a protocol for wellness or to assist your body in working through an illness don’t hesitate to AskDrSkip.

There are no toxicity reports in any of the clinical studies, nor have there been any side effects reported, except for an occasional case of cramps during the process where the stones are purging. If this is something you experience, the dosage can be cut in half.

It is safe for pregnant woman to take.

Please do not undertake a liver cleanse without some help from a health care practitioner.  Cleaning the liver is a lengthy process and should be followed through until completion once you begin.  It can be several months, if not years on and off of cleaning to gain optimal results.  Remember it takes years to build up a clogged, unhealthy liver.  It will take time to regain your health.  Be patient.  One thing at a time!  Health and wellness are right around the corner.  Keep up the good work.

No way…it can’t be! There is nothing available that will do all those things safely and effectivly. You guys are starting to get to know me by now and I am all about the detoxification of the organs of elimination.

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I advocate sweating, lymphatic drainge, massage, colon cleanse, liver cleanse, etc.  There are so many methods that should be employed to keep us healthy.  While these things are beneficial  if you are sick, it is so much more helpful to your body if you do them while you are healthy.  This will also assist in keeping your immune system in tip-top shape.

There is a product called Royal Breakstone that I have used for many years both personally and with my patients that is very effective for cleansing the liver, kidney and bladder.  It is a highly effective option for those of you who don’t want to or can’t do an actual liver flush.

Alcohol-free Chanca Piedra liquid extract, contains vegetable glycerin.  Each milliliter (ml) contains 1 gram of the extract of dried leaf.

Traditionally uses now supported by scientific research:

Promote healthy liver function
Promote a healthy gall bladder
Support good digestion of fats
Promotes healthy digestion
Promote healthy kidney function

Chanca Piedra are spanish words, “chanca” meaning “to break” in and “piedra” meaning “stone”.  It is the name given to several different varities of small shrub-like plants in the Phyllanthus genus family.

These species of botanicals have been proven in scientific research to have antihepatotoxic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, febrifugal, and hypoglycemic activity.

Some Traditional Uses

Chanca Piedra got its name because according the herbal tradition of Peru, where knowledge of rainforest remedies spread to the Incas, it was used to break up and expel kidney stones as well as gall stones.

It has been used to assist with the stimulation of bile and to promote healthy functioning of the liver and gall bladder.

It has also been used traditionally to help clear obstructions within the internal organs of the body by promoting the elimination of mucous as well as the elimination of the stones.

In areas throughout South America, Chanca Piedra is used to treat a wide aray of medical issues…such as, edema and excess uric acid, flu, colds and constipation, prostate issues, increase menstrual flow, ulcers, expell worms from body, irritable bowel and poor circulation. Just to name a few :-)

This is a great product that I routinely put folks on because it is so effective at what it does, especially in conjunction with an entire wellness protocol.  If you have any questions about this product or its uses please don’t hesitate to AskDrSkip.

[singlepic=14,320,240,,left]This wonderful supplement goes way beyond any other B12 products that I have seen, used or recommended for my patients. It’s unique sublingual formula provides 2000mcg Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin), 30mg NSE Methylators, 200mcg Folic Acid, 25mcg Biotin, 4mg Vitamin B-6, as several other co-factors.  Research supports the fact that sublingual administration of B-12 provides almost identical benefits as injections of Vitamin B-12.

When taken in combination with our Lypospheric Vitamin C, dramatic lowering of homocysteine levels and benefits in prevention of Alzheimer’s, aging, cancer and arteriosclerosis have been seen. Do some additional research about what major organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are saying about high levels of homocysteine.  Beyond B-12 brings the most beneficial B Vitamins, along with Folic acid and B-6 into the body in a proven absorbable method.  This is so important because if you are not absorbing it you are wasting your money and offering no health benefits to your system.

Folic acid deficiency is an problem of epidemic proportions. Folic acid deficient people are extremely susceptible to viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Drinking alcohol will destroy folic acid stores within your body making you deficient. This process can happen very quickly. Folic acid has been shown to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s and minimize the severity of symptoms. There are studies that show that a large portion of all pregnant women are at a severe risk of folic acid deficiency, which can lead to cleft palate, brain damage and developmental and learning disabilities in the child.  Folic acid has also been shown to help combat a circulation problem.  This is such a common problem in the aging population.  It offers an effective method to dialate the small vessels.  Folic Acid along with B12 and the supplment WOBENZYM offers effective cardiovascular support unlike the use of aspirin which may give you a false sense of security when you are trying to prevent heart attacks and strokes. 

B-6 is vital to assist with the body’s ability to utilize protein, which is essential for the replacement of the hundreds of billions cells that we wear out daily.  B-6 deficiency is associated with loss of hair, water retention, numbness and cramps in the arms and legs, visual disturbances and increased urination.  B-6 has such wonderful results for women that it has been called the “woman’s vitamin” because it is so vital to their physical and mental well-being.

There is also some evidence that Methylcobalamin can be associated with restoring male sexual potency by improving testicular function.  This is a whole additional topic all by itself.  There are several other products that work so well on this front such as Testropinol, Beyond Testosterone, Beyond Growth Hormone, etc. If this is an issue please contact me so that we can review any labs you may have a formulate a protocol specifically for you.

Other actions that have documented by using Pau d’Arco have shown that it is a hepatotonic – which means it tones, balances and strengthens the liver. It is also an immunostimulant, its benefits will also strengthen the body’s immune system, which assists heavily in preventing liver disease. Claims have also been made that it assists in removing poisons from the liver tissue, as well as promoting healthy liver function. From a Naturopathic perspective this is a fundamental organ that must be healthy to maintain a body that is in homeostasis. Having a clean and healthy liver means many things – healthy skin, nails, stomach and blood.

If you search the web you will find an overwhelming amount of information available on this miraculous herb. I like this product so much because it is loaded with amazing properties and minerals. It can be used to virtually sustain life because it is practically a food. We are not using this to forcibly to make some “change” within the body – we are gently helping the body to return to its natural healthy state of homeostasis.

When selecting a brand to use for medicinal purposes, please be extremely selective as to which product you choose. I have used several brands and the one that I use at home and recommend exclusively is from Blessed Herbs – is it available in the on-line store and in our clinic. I chose this company for their high quality control and stringent selectivity of the herbs and the processing.

Pau d’Arco is the most useful when it has been made into a tincture. That just means that after the herb has been harvested it has been soaked in an alcohol. Soaking it in the alcohol extract the most potent ingredients and helps it to be assimilated and utilized by the body most effectively. The benefits of this amazing plant are endless…

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask! Good luck!

Book Resources for additional information regarding Pau d’Arco:

“THE HEALING POWER OF PAU D’ARCO” By Walter Lubek, Lotus Light Publications

“PAU D’ARCO – IMMUNE POWER from the Rain Forest” by Kenneth Jones, Healing Arts Press

“NATURES WISDOM”, Internet Article, 1998

“PAU d”ARCO”, Raintree Nutrition, Inc, Research Article, Leslie Taylor

“ANCIENT HERB, MODERN MIRACLE” By Dr. D. Mowry, PhD, Mountainwest Institute of Herbal Sciences

“SOUTH AMERICAN CANCER CURE”, Alec de Montmorency, The Spotlight, June, 1981,

“CANCER THERAPY” By Ralph Moss, PhD, Equinox Press

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products/services/therapies/education information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before any products/services/therapies.

It’s that time of year when everyone seems to have what you often hear referred to as a “sinus infection”. While this is somewhat of a misnomer – this problem is most often due to the consumption of dairy (including anything that comes from a cow) and an imbalance of the bacteria in the intestinal track.

Studies show that sinus infections are not bacterial in nature and the root cause is often a fungus – the overuse of antibiotics continue down the path of perpetuating the so called infection. In Chinese Medicine the underlying cause is known as “damp” and the actual nature of the antibiotic is inherently “damp” as well… thus perpetuating the infection. Much the same way that consumption of milk perpetuates mucus.

One of the most benefical ways to help boost your immune system is to take a probiotic. Healthwalk makes one of the best that I have ever used. So if you suffer from Acid Reflux, Allergies, Candida, Digestive Issues and Frequent Infections, then BioNue is the probiotic for you.

BioNue can assist by introducing friendly bacteria that modern lifestyles so often take out of our bodies. A hearty blend of broad-spectrum probiotics, BioNue can also nutritionally support your body’s normal ability to fight the pathogenic bacteria that you may consume in your food.

With the food that is continually consumed to our detriment – coffee, dairy, high fat and sugar intake, refinded carbohydrates, etc. the health of your body unravels. While these changes happen a bit more slowly when we are younger… as we age the “signs and symptoms” begin screaming at us instead of whispering. Symptoms are the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong… headaches, constipation, diarrhea, joint pain, loss of memory, anxiety, depression, etc.

When we ignore them and continue doing the things that are causing the problem, disease ensues. These symptoms are not normal in that they are trying to clue us in to problems.  Over time we have learned to cope with them and almost find them to be normal because we have been dealing with them for so long.  Suddenly, you realize that you no longer feel like a healthy person.   Folks let me tell you – you do not have to feel this way. Please be proactive and make these positive changes today.

If sinus problems are an issue you must also consider the use of a neti-pot. Doing this procedure with some sea salt once daily will help offer tremendous relief for the sinus symptoms. Don’t forget… almost all allergy issues are directly related to problems in the gut!