What is your Body's pH, and why is it important?

In my practice, with each new patient, I go through many different screening tests and use multiple tools and modalities to determine the cause of dysfunction. One of the first tools I use is measuring the body's pH to determine if you are acidic or alkaline. A lot of patients come back amazed at how acidic their pH is and ask "why is this so important?"

If your body is in an acidic state, it is very hard for you to uptake and absorb minerals, herbs and nutrients, making it hard to heal. An acidic pH creates a hostile internal environment for your cells. The more acidic you become, the worse you feel.

Often times just by returning one's body to an alkaline state, I see symptoms such as:
*Fibromyalgia
*Chronic fatigue
*Irritability
*Depression
*Anxiety
and Colon Issues dissipate.

Your pH must be in an alkalize state to achieve vitality, well-being, and healing.

The body's pH can be measured multiple ways, I prefer the first morning urine. I find it most accurate. I have each new patient monitor his or her first morning urine for seven consecutive days and report back to me with an average. There's a scale to measure pH that comes with most test strips.

Acidic = 6.2 and below.
Alkaline = 6.4 and above.

Ideal first morning urine pH is 6.4 - 7.0.

If you suffer from any of the above ailments, check your pH, if you are too acidic we can help.

Swine Flu

I've had numerous patients call and ask my thoughts on the swine flu. The swine flu virus has been identified as a new virus, with genes from human and avian flues as well as the swine variety. It is causing large-scale outbreaks in Mexico, along with separate confirmed cases in the U.S. (none of the 40 cases (as of 4-27-09) identified in the U.S. so far has been fatal) and Canada and suspected cases in other countries.

The influenza virus is constantly mutating, but every once in awhile, the virus shifts its genetic structure so much that our immune systems are challenged. (This usually happens when a flu virus found in animals - like the avian flu still circulating in Asia - swaps genes with other viruses in a process called re-assortment, and jumps to human beings.) A flu pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges for which humans have little or no immunity and then spreads easily from person to person around the world. The avian flu is not easily spread. In the 20th century we had two mild flu pandemics, in 1968 and 1957, and the severe "Spanish flu" pandemic of 1918, which killed an estimated 40 to 50 million people worldwide (Reuters News Release April 27, 2009. ... By BRYAN WALSH) By Dr. Lynn Toohey, PhD

As you may have heard in the media, there is not a vaccine available to protect against it. The virus has mutated and is not covered in the flu shots we have available as of now. I do not recommend getting a flu shot at this point as much as I recommend boosting your immune system! The flu shot will actually lower your immune system briefly, and I repeat it is not genetically coded to protect against the swine/avian flu.

Also, avoid contact with sick individuals as much as possible, staying 3 feet away. And of course washing your hands multiple times per day will prevent spreading illness.

What Can You Do To Strengthen Your Immune System?

**Homeopathics
Boiron-Oscillococcinum is a product used to treat flu symptoms once it has set in, but it can also be used as a prophylactic. Instead of taking the recommended dose, take 2-3 pellets per day as prevention. One dose can be used for an entire family of four.

**Pro-Biotics
80% of your immune system is in your gut lining. Start on a pro-biotic/acidophilus as soon as possible. I highly recommend the two I carry in my office. SMI powder and ABC, which in my opinion are the best. Also Bio-K, found at whole foods and central market, is a great product. Some yogurts now have pro-biotics in them, be sure to stay away from yogurt with a high sugar content. Most any high strand pro-biotic, 50billion Cells of Acidophilus plus Bifidus per serving, should be adequate. Pro-biotics must be taken on an empty stomach.

**Vitamins A, C, D3, and Zinc are all major immune supporters. Start all four of those immediately.

**Quantum Nucleotides are huge immune boosters. I carry these in the office as well. Take 2, two times per day.

**Other Immune Builders - Olive leaf powder and extract, elderberry extract, astragalus, glycerol monolaurate, and lysine. Olive leaf extract and elderberry extract are strong immune support nutrients. Researchers report that a female, taking no HIV drugs, used an elderberry extract with olive leaf extract and experienced a viral load drop from 17,000 to 4,000, and also that a placebo-controlled double-blind study demonstrated that elderberry extract led to a rapid recovery from influenza and inhibited replication of nine other strains of the flu virus. A theory is that elderberry renders viruses nonfunctional by staining and coating them (Konlee, M. A new triple combination therapy. Posit Health News. 1998 Fall;(No 17):12-4.)

What if I feel like I'm getting the Flu?

-Like any other flu, if you have been exposed to any flu virus start administrating vitamin C 1,000 mg every hour for 6 hours.
Then 1,000 mg three times daily, add Vitamin A, D3, and Zinc to this regimen as well.

-Homeopathic Remedies have been found to be useful in conditions of flu (Jaber R. Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma. Prim Care. 2002 Jun;29(2):231-61.) Gelsemium and Byronia, for instance "are the two most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicines used to treat the fluEchinacea Purp homeopathic has been found to "modulate peritoneal inflammatory reaction and have a cytoprotective action on leukocytes" (Pedalino CM, Effect of Atropa belladonna and Echinacea angustifolia in homeopathic dilution on experimental peritonitis. Homeopathy. 2004 Oct;93(4):193-8.) It is particularly helpful in controlling fever and lymphatic inflammation.

-Quantum Immune Complex by Premier Research lab, which includes Olive leaf extract along with broad-spectrum, immune-stimulating phytochemicals: oleuropein, oleuropeoside and calcium elenolate will increase recovery time.

Any of the above products can be ordered through my office and found other places. Let us know if you feel you need help through this.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Weine

Where is my Thyroid Gland? What does it do for me?

I have found in practice most people know more about their computers or their phones than how their bodies operate....Do you know where your thyroid gland is located?? Do you know what it does??

Your thyroid gland is the largest of the 7 glands that make up the endocrine system and is located in the front of the base of the neck.

Our thyroid gland controls the rate at which our motor runs when we are in neutral, so basically our metabolism. It controls the rate at which our body produces energy from food, therefore having an effect on our over all energy levels.

In children the thyroid gland controls the body's rate of growth as well as brain development, and has a primary affect on determining the child's IQ.

So we've all heard a family member or friend state they have a thyroid problem, or they are on thyroid medication. Perhaps that person still does not seem healthy, or they are still over weight, fatigue and lethargic. Well, that is because most doctors treat the thyroid with thyroid hormones only, which does helps initially, instead of supplying the body with the nutrients the gland needs to heal.

Signs and Symptoms you may have a Thyroid Imbalance:

Fatigue/Lethargic
Insomnia
Can't lose weight no matter how hard you try
Weight Gain (especially in the face and arms)
Puffiness around the face
Cold Hands and Feet
Hair Loss
Loss of otter third of the eye brow
The half moons on your finger nails are no longer visible
Depression/Lack of motivation
Sugar, Salt and Carb Cravings

Emotional Factors Seen in Thyroid Patients

In my practice I believe strongly that there is a mind-body connection, that holds true for each and every gland, muscle and organ we have, the thyroid being no exception. When Calcium and Magnesium (Mg) is not in balance the thyroid is affected. Mg carries Calcium in to the cell, the lack of Mg will cause Calcium to stay on the outside of a cell and build a "calcium shell" which allows a low cell hormone permeability. Meaning, thyroid hormones can not get into the cell because they can not pass through the Calcium build up.

Interestingly enough, people with thyroid disorders have personality traits of defensiveness, protected, decreased social activity - basically they "shell up"

What Can you DO to help support your thyroid:

**Take a natural source B vitamins. Synthetic sources - no good! Thyroid hormones can not get across the cell membrane and get into the cells without B's

**Maintain proper Calcium Magnesium ratios, as described above too much Calcium and not enough Magnesium will block the hormones as well.

**The thyroid can not function to it's fullest without the trace mineral iodine. If the thyroid has adequate amounts of iodine it plays a major role in the immune system because iodine is antimicrobial, and antiseptic body-wide and all the blood in the body passes through the thyroid every 17 minutes, there for all foreign microbes will be killed by the iodine.
***Supplement with Iodine only under the care of a Doctor.

In my practice I run numerous tests including saliva testing, blood labs, kinesiology, and iodine patch testing to determine the function of one's thyroid and to decide what is needed to heal the gland.

Valentine's day. Love is in the Air.....Or is it just Pheromones???

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: If there is any reaction, both are transformed

-C.G. Jung

With Valentine's Day around the corner, love is in the air this month......and so are Pheromones, Hormones, and Neurotransmitters.

Ever wonder why you are attracted to a certain person and not another? What provokes gut feelings about certain people in your life? Why do you fall in love with one person and not another? Well the answer involves pheromones.

Pheromones (from the Greek words Pherein-meaning I carry, and hormon-to excite) are odorless molecules that are produced in the body and enter the world by wafting off the skin. They float up from the sweat glands and linger in strands of hair. Ever hug someone and hold a second longer to catch a whiff of his or her hair? What causes that subconscious action? Pheromones. Each unleashed pheromone is packed with information about your sexual desires, your level of aggression, and the attributes of your immune system It carries your one of a kind chemical signature or finger print!

Pheromones bypass the logical, thinking brain and affect the center of the primitive, emotional brain.

Can the simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating experience of being "love sick", or being impaled by the arrow of cupid be reduced to a simple chemical reaction in the brain? Well, yes. Pheromones are chemicals that one individual emits to elicit responses in another individual of the same species. The female fruit fly exudes an intoxicating pheromone to inform the male fruit fly she is ready to mate, so powerful these pheromones make the spindly-legged male weak at the knees. The female essence attracts him instantly to her to mate at that exact moment, it is unavoidable, he is compelled by nature.

Pheromones are powerful, but they aren't the only antidote to love. When we are struck by Cupid's arrow we produce a number of hormones and neurochemicals as well. The hormones are produced from our Endocrine Glands (pituitary, testes, ovaries, adrenals, thyroid, and pancreas) and released into our bloodstream. The neurochemicals originate in the brain and travel delicately down pathways and synapses through our entire body.

Here are a few examples of the how and why we are affected when we fall in love:

Phenylethylamine (PEA)
This is manufactured by the brain, it is the "feel-good" endorphin that makes our brain buzz. It increases blood pressure and heart rate, thus the love "high" we get in the beginning stages.
Side Note : PEA is also found in Cocoa. Does this answer the addiction to chocolate and why some women prefer chocolate over sex!?!

Oxytocin
This is the "cuddle chemical". This molecule is released in the Pituitary gland and inspires a reaction when we touch or are touched by someone we love. It is released in child birth, while nursing a child, from the touch of our significant other, and even from only a glance from the object of one's affection. Oxytocin is also released in large warp speed amounts during intercourse.

Vasopressin
This is sometimes referred to the "monogamy molecule". In conjunction with testosterone, vasopressin has a tempering effect and keeps males' sex drive in check so they do not go straight to the next attractive female and mate with her, then the next, then the next. Perhaps all men do not have this molecule in balance.....is infidelity simply a chemical imbalance? hmmm...

Testosterone
This is our "sex drive" hormone. This hormone is produced by men and woman. It is produced in the testes or ovaries, and in the adrenal glands. Testosterone tapers off in woman after menopause due to evolution, since we are no longer reproducing. That is why many woman are using supplementation and hormone replacement for testosterone.

Testosterone plays an important part in a man's libido and sperm production. It is shown in many studies that stress and mood can instantly reduce a man's testosterone levels. A man's libido, along with testosterone levels are shown to drop during major deadlines, after losing a job, during financial hardships, and even if his favorite sports team loses!

Dopamine
Dopamine is our "orgasm" neurotransmitter. It gives us the intense pleasure during an orgasm. Dopamine affects how we see and react to life. If we experience pleasure when embraced by a lover, or when we watch a beautiful sunset then Dopamine is at work. If we lose pleasure for the things we once loved, then something's wrong with our Dopamine levels. It is a very important chemical in sex, love, and having a connection with others.

In my practice I get to see small miracles daily. By balancing hormones and neurotransmitters I see patients feel good again in all aspects of life and love. The quality of their life improves greatly.

Disclaimer::By no means am I a cupid, but when hormones are in balance love certainly works better :-)

Most of you know I am starting a Cleanse next week. I am taking 15 of patients, friends, and colleagues through it with me, it should be a lot of fun and a great bonding experience for us. I am writing a bit more info here on a few topics I have had questions on. Enjoy!

What should I expect?
Most of the time, you will feel great. You may have a day or two of "detoxing" symptoms, often described as similar to feeling like you are catching the flu. Muscle aches, diarrhea, or headache are the most common symptoms, but they are typically short-lived. You may feel only better through the process. Your energy will improve, and you will discover many food addictions and possible food allergens that you haven't previously been aware of. Your sinusitis will improve, your digestion will be better, your mood will be lighter, and your head will be clearer.

My weight is where I want it.
Even if you don't have excess weight on your body, an annual cleanse of toxins is a superb way to stay slim and healthy. Every day we are exposed to chemicals and man-made elements that are alien to our natural state. This exposure can congest the liver which will then create many more problems, such as allergies, hormonal problems like PMS or hot flashes, depression, constipation and/or diarrhea, and indigestion. Cleansing your body now before these become problematic will enhance your health now and in the future.

I notice the SP Cleanse shake formula you use has whey in it. What if I am lactose-intolerant?
If you cannot digest lactose, you may find that this shake doesn't suit you well. In that case, I have a replacement shake product that we will switch out in your kit. Please alert the office manager to this issue ahead of time.

I've already done this cleanse once. Can I do it again?
Absolutely! If you still feel you have weight to lose or haven't reached the state of health that is your goal for the long term, it would be very beneficial for you to cleanse again.

Will I keep taking my other supplements during the cleanse?
Most of you will stop taking anything other than the cleanse products. An exception to this is direct hormonal replacement (Progesterone creams, sublingual Estrogen, Progesterone or Testosterone replacement),or any prescribed neurotransmitter products.

Why Detox?

Why would I need or want to do a cleanse?

We live in a toxic, toxic world. Even with ongoing care, your body accumulates more toxins than it eliminates. A "toxin" can be anything from pesticides, xenoestrogens, plastics, air pollution, water pollution, parasites, chemicals from foods, medicines, surgery, or dental work to an emotional toxic buildup from stress. When you consider that we are only the 2nd or 3rd generation of humankind to ever live in a world of clogged air, chemicals, and electromagnetic frequencies, to walk on concrete rather than dirt, and to sit all day indoors, it is amazing that we aren't worse off than we are.

What does a Detox involve?

There are numerous Detox Programs on the market, and most are decent. The one I use in my practice is called the 21 Day Ultimate Detox Program through Standard Process. It addresses Detoxing the liver, kidneys, the lymph system, the GI tract...pretty much the entire body. I believe it is the most encompassing, intense yet gentle, and still effective one out there.

You will receive a booklet with details about what to eat and what not to eat. The first week is all fruits and vegetables, preferably raw, with smoothies for protein. This is called the Optimum Program. After week one, you can either stay on the program, or change to the Moderate Program. At that time, you will be eating lots of organic fruits and raw, steamed or grilled vegetables, fish, and a little antibiotic free, hormone free turkey. The idea is to avoid any possible allergens, so wheat, dairy, nuts, seeds, chicken, caffeine, alcohol, and soy are avoided, as are all processed foods, sugars, and junk food. (Remember, it's only 3 weeks!). If you're worried about your sweet tooth, you'll have fruit smoothies that are sweet and yummy. There are even legal recipes for chocolate shakes!

The Detox Class starts in January if you are interested in joining us!

ZERO Holiday Burn out!

As we approach Christmas in full force this year, don't let stress get the best of you. Between gift shopping, family obligations, holiday parties, and of course, the elephant in the room, the economy, we still have so much to be thankful for this holiday season and our health is top on that list! We must avoid BURN OUT!! So, keep your mental health and do not allow stress and depression to ruin your holidays! Now is not the time to neglect your Health!

21 Stress Busters

1. Laugh out loud, start with a giggle and work your way into a roar. You can't help but release the "feel good" endorphins while laughing!
2. Play with a pet
3. Remove obvious stressors
4. Get enough sleep
5. Go dancing
6. Forgive. If you are holding a grudge or are angry with someone, set up a time to meet with them and explain your feelings or find a way to release them yourself.
7. Take the stairs instead of the elevator
8. Do Yoga
9. Sing out loud
10. If you feel like crying, cry. It's cleansing to your spirit.
11. In a crisis, ask your self "will this matter to you in a year from now?"
12. Go for a 30 minute walk or hike
13. Stand still and be still for 2 minutes, shhh no talking.
14. Get a stress ball and SQUEEZE!
15. Meditate on the word love, this word holds the highest frequency known.
16. Take a bath.
17. Clean out a closet
18. Learn to say no.
19. Make a list of what you need to get done that day. There, now you can stop going over and over it in your head.
20. Call someone you care about.
21. Breath