Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2025 i What Doctors Don't Tell You Australia/NZ

In my mid-30s, I got ill with a range of multiplying symptoms: a bad gut, hormones causing havoc, eczema and hives, cystitis and constant infections, and allergies, it seemed, to everything in the world. As I worked to heal my gut and much more with a pioneering integrative doctor, many of these symptoms disappeared and my skin improved overnight when I made a single change: I stopped eating wheat. As it turned out, I wasn ’t celiac—I could eat oats, rye and barley, and even small amounts of wheat in gravy—but my penance for a slice of bread was a bad gut for days. For all these years, I assumed that I was wheat intolerant, especially after our eldest daughter discovered she was wheat intolerant, as did, to some extent,…

You need to chill— quite literally Lowering your body temperature could ease bouts of depression, new research suggests. People with depression tend to have a higher temperature, and one that doesn’t self-regulate and cool down, say researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. They analyzed data from more than 20,000 participants in 106 countries who wore a device that measured their temperature and reported daily on any depression symptoms. As the severity of their depressive symptoms rose, so too did their temperature. One remedy for depression could be to sit in a hot tub or sauna and force the body to sweat, thus lowering its temperature. “Ironically, heating people up can lead to rebound body temperature lowering that lasts longer than simply cooling people down directly, as through an…

SPECIAL REPORT It’s strange how the practice of medicine sometimes changes-how items once considered so essential that they were in every doctor’s black bag and every household medicine cabinet are suddenly forgotten, jettisoned for the promises of new pharmaceuticals. Toss the old mainstay out the door, however, and it finds its way into the window, suddenly becoming popular again. But on its return, the modern purveyors of pills demonize it, labeling it dangerous. That’s the story of ancient castor oil, derived from the castor plant and sometimes called the “palm of Christ” for its ability to heal wounds and cure ailments. One of the first cultivated crops in human history, the nontoxic oil of the castor bean has been around for thousands of years. It’s used in Ayurvedic medicine and…

If consuming certain foods leads to health issues or bodily irritation, should we just stop eating them? While foods like gluten and dairy are difficult to digest, our digestive systems are meant to be up to the job. “Wheat is really a canary in the coal mine,” says John Douillard, the creator of LifeSpa.com. “The real problem is that we have a broken-down digestive system and now we’ve started bubble-wrapping our diet.” By bubble-wrapping, he means avoiding foods, following health advice like “Don’t eat wheat, don’t eat dairy, don’t eat nuts, don’t eat beans, don’t eat lectins, don’t eat nightshades, don’t eat goitrogens, don’t eat oxalates, don’t eat, don’t eat, don’t eat.” Of course, people with true celiac disease should never eat wheat or gluten, Douillard clarifies. And if eating…

When Caitlin came to see me, she was frustrated. Almost every day she dealt with gas, bloating, pain and cramping in her abdominal region. She never knew whether she would wake up dealing with diarrhea or be completely unable to have a bowel movement. “It’s not just the pain, ” she told me. “It’s the roller coaster. ” She described how on certain days she felt fine—but that made waking up the next day with painful constipation almost more upsetting. Caitlin had spoken with her physician several times about these uncomfortable symptoms and the way they seemed to be ruling her life. Her doctor had done a number of tests to rule out serious health conditions, and when they came up empty, he had finally diagnosed her with irritable bowel…

For those who don’t want to crack out the kitchen scale, count calories or chop veggies, Dr Longo has developed a five-day FMD meal package called the Prolon 5-Day (US: prolonlife.com; UK: prolon.co.uk). For $195 (£189), you get a box containing freeze-dried soups, nut bars, fruit-flavored drinks, teas and supplements—all precisely measured for calories and proper proportions of protein, carbs and fat. However, if you want to maximize nutrition during the fast, it’s hard to beat fresh organic vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruits from the farmer’s market. Follow Dr Longo’s recommended caloric guidelines for fats, carbs and protein. Here are some sample recipes: • Lentils with green beans, onions and spices cooked in olive oil • Vegetable stir fry with leeks, broccoli, onion and mushrooms sauteed in spices and olive…

For thousands of years, many Asian cultures have believed that the secret to health and healing lies in balancing the body’s internal systems. This belief is reflected in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which views the body as a holistic entity and makes no clear distinction between food and medicine. In fact, yi chi tong yuan is a Chinese saying that states that food and medicine are from the same source. This perspective has led to a deep respect for the healing properties of food, which is woven into the fabric of everyday Asian cuisine. While some medicinal herbs and ingredients are particularly potent and are used only for severe illnesses, many are as common in Asian cooking as ketchup and mustard are in America. Most traditional Asian recipes use a…

Probiotics Suggested dosage: Follow the label instructions Grapefruit seed extract Suggested dosage: 400 mg once daily for the first week, twice daily for the second week and three times daily thereafter Vitamin D Suggested dosage: 4,000 IU/day (but it’s best to test blood levels first) Vitamin C Suggested dosage: Start with 500 mg twice a day and increase by 500 mg daily until you find your maximum tolerated dose-the dosage level below the one that gives you loose stools…

Dried herbs and tinctures are widely available online, but you can also collect your own herbs, even if you live in a city. Most common herbs can be found within waste ground, in city gardens and parks, in the commons and marshlands, beside canals and rivers, and in the gardens of deserted houses and buildings. One of the best patches of lady’s mantle I have found in London, where I live, is in the flower beds of the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park. Collect flowers and leaves in the summer months. Any plant is at its most powerful when the flowers are just about to open. Collect roots in November, when the sap has descended for the winter, or in March, just before it rises again. Choose your…

Several years ago, I had a slight irritation at the back of my throat. After much testing, I discovered it was squamous cell carcinoma. I don’t have empirical proof, but I strongly suspect that the cancer was triggered by mold toxicity. My family and I lived in a house inundated with mold in the TV room and bedroom. We all have cancer cells in our bodies, but it was the mold in this house that, I believe, knocked down my immune system so the cancer could run wild and multiply. While living in that house, my entire family had constant coughing, respiratory illnesses and colds. After my diagnosis, my wife and I began researching cancer treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation. I saw integrative and traditional doctors, including a couple…

Dr Damien Downing, a specialist in allergy, environment and nutrition, is current president of the British Society for Ecological Medicine, on the editorial board of Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, Chief Medical Advisor of cancer charity Yes to Life (www.yestolife.org.uk), and author of numerous books including The Vitamin Cure for Allergies. Dr Michel Odent, a French-trained surgeon and obstetrician, is a pioneer of the natural birth movement, emphasizing home and water birth. Founder of the Primal Health Research Centre in the UK, he has written some 50 scientific papers and 11 books. Dr Sarah Myhill has worked in the UK National Health Service and in private practice since 1981. Honorary Secretary of the British Society for Ecological Medicine for 17 years, she is a frequent lecturer and author of Sustainable Medicine…

Like an uncomfortable echo of Marie Antoinette’s ill-starred “Let them eat cake” dietary advisory to France’s starving, Kellogg’s chief executive Gary Pilnick recently suggested that families struggling with their household budgets could eat a bowl of Frosties for dinner. Plundering a rich seam of management speak, Pilnick told the business news channel CNBC that “the cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a great destination when consumers are under pressure.” In other words, let them eat flakes. Far from retreating from his clunky advice, Pilnick carried on digging. Kellogg’s has discovered that 25 percent of cereal consumption is outside breakfast, he explained, so a lot of people are eating cereal for dinner already. “Cereal for dinner is something that is probably more on trend now…

SPECIAL REPORT From her earliest childhood memories, Sara Valentine can recall being afflicted by gut pain, headaches and dizziness. When she was 11 years old, her parents took her to the emergency room after she had been constipated for nearly two weeks, and she was referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist, who put her on daily laxatives that he said she would need to take for the rest of her life. “In high school, I was late to school almost every day, it seemed. I could not get out of bed,” the 27-year-old dental student from Starkville, Mississippi, says. “I was always exhausted. I was bloated, I had these dark circles under my eyes and I dealt with anxiety.” In college, studying dentistry, playing soccer and holding down three part-time jobs,…

“The moment that grains are milled into flour, their flavor components begin to deteriorate,” says food scientist Sue Becker. Not only do flavor components decompose but so do essential nutrients. Freshly ground flour can begin going rancid as soon as two to 14 days after milling. A study in rats, published by a German scientist, illustrated how important it is to consume the fresh nutrients in whole grains for survival. The animals were fed diets consisting of 50 percent rat food and 50 percent flour or bread. They were divided into five groups as follows based on their flour or bread consumption: 1. Fresh stoneground flour 2. Bread made with fresh stoneground flour 3. Fresh stoneground flour after 15 days of storage 4. Bread made with 15-day-old flour 5. White…

Sweet potato starch noodles, also known as Korean glass noodles or dangmyeon, are a traditional Korean food made from sweet potato starch. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and potassium. These noodles are gluten-free, which makes them a great option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. They also have prebiotic properties, which means they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and can lead to better digestion, improved immune function and other health benefits. Sweet potato starch noodles are often served with kimchi, but they can also be used in a variety of dishes, such as japchae (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat; see recipe, left) and hot and spicy soup.…

Medicinal plants can be used to treat all sorts of women’s health problems, from infertility and heavy periods to cystitis and hot flashes. Here are seven of my go-to herbs for women along with some DIY recipes you can use for herbal healing at home. Lady's mantle Alchemilla vulgaris Harvest time: June and July Parts used: Flowers and leaves Medicinal uses: For gynecological conditions and obstetrics The principal herb used for gynecological conditions, lady’s mantle is the herb of choice for all problems and imbalances affecting the womb and ovaries. With painful periods, it clears up cramps after one to two months’ use. I have had wonderful results using this herb in women over the age of 35 who are trying to conceive for the first time. It’s usually effective…

Bunches of herbs are best dried hanging up or spread out on trays lined with paper. The plants need plenty of circulating air to dry thoroughly and to prevent them from going moldy. I tie the herbs in small bunches and then attach them to coat hangers; this way, many plants can be hung from the same hanger. Dry them in a sheltered place away from direct sunlight—a dry cupboard, attic or garden shed will do. Do not hang the herbs in the kitchen as fats from cooking will stick to them as they dry, making an unpleasant concoction. Be sure to label everything clearly. Herbs usually take six to eight weeks to dry thoroughly. To test their dryness, break a stem of an herb in half. If it breaks…

1 Nutrition Central to ReCODE is KetoFLEX 12/3—a heavily plant-based, nutrient-rich, whole-foods diet that focuses on local, organic and seasonal non-starchy vegetables combined with adequate protein and generous amounts of healthy fat. In 12/3, the 12 refers to the 12 hours between your last meal at the end of one day and your first snack or meal the next day, and the 3 refers to the three hours you should maintain between your last meal and going to bed. For example, if you go to bed at 10:00 p.m., don’t eat after 7:00 p.m., and hold off on breakfast until at least 7:00 a.m. the next day. 2 Exercise Aerobic exercise, strength training and mind-body practices such as yoga and tai chi are all essential parts of the protocol. 3…

Robust is an adjective that was once reserved for stout hiking boots but has recently been weaponized by middlebrow bureaucrats as a cudgel to beat down alternative thinking. As a dog returneth to its own vomit, bureaucrats spout the word in their demands that evidence is robust, while the mainstream media looks for robust research, as do those who patrol the outer perimeters of conventional medicine to protect it from incursive forces. When it comes to medical science (an oxymoron, I accept), nobody has actually defined the word. Is a medical procedure robust if it’s been supported by one trial? Or three perhaps? And that new drug—how many people need to have taken it before we’re happy its effectiveness and safety have been robustly ensured? Although nobody has a clue,…

Feed your brain if you have PCOS As if they didn’t have enough to worry about, women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)—a hormonal disorder that causes irregular periods—should be looking for ways to bolster their cognitive health. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have found a link between PCOS and cognitive decline, which includes memory and thinking problems that may start in middle age. PCOS may not cause cognitive decline, but women who have it are at higher risk, they say. Sufferers should look to improve their brain health by eating a healthier diet, engaging the brain in solving puzzles and doing cardiovascular exercises. The researchers tracked the health of 907 women aged 18–30 for 30 years, and 66 of the women had PCOS. They frequently checked the…

When it comes to manufactured food, there’s processed and ultraprocessed, at least according to the NOV A scale created by researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil.1 Not surprisingly, it’s the ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that are especially bad for us, and they include supermarket bread, prepared meals, breakfast cereals, sausages, biscuits, pastries and cakes, chips, colas and fruit juices. UPFs go through a further industrial process: bread that is made from wheat flour, water, salt and yeast is processed, but it becomes a UPF when emulsifiers or colorings are added. Similarly, adding sugar, flavorings or colorings to plain oats also makes them a UPF. UPFs represent around 58 percent of the total diet of the average American and Briton—but what are ultra-processed foods doing to our health? A…

In 2011, when she was working to complete her second degree, Michal Grappe had just finished running her first half-marathon a few weeks earlier when she noticed her legs were numb and she was having trouble moving them. The paralysis gradually spread to her lungs, heart and arms. She was diagnosed with GuillainBarré syndrome, a paralyzing autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. GBS can be fatal, but Michal (pronounced Michael) was released from the hospital to spend a year in a wheelchair and another year in physiotherapy. She asked her doctor what she could take to help her healing, but his answer, “Time and B vitamins,” was just not enough for the young Texan. Searching for nutritional and holistic answers, Michal found Terry Wahls, who had healed her own…

Day 1: 1,100 calories total 11% protein, 46% fat, 43% carbohydrate • Complex carbs: 500 calories • Healthy fats: 500 calories • Plant-based protein: 25 g, mainly from nuts • Herbal teas, unsweetened, up to 4 cups per day • Pure water • One multivitamin and mineral supplement • One omega-3/omega-6 supplement Days 2–5: 800 calories total 9% protein, 44% fat, 47% carbohydrate • Complex carbs: 400 calories • Healthy fats: 400 calories • Plant-based protein: 25 g, mainly from nuts • Herbal teas, unsweetened, up to 4 cups per day • Pure water • One multivitamin and mineral supplement • One omega-3/omega-6 supplement Get your complex carbohydrates from veggies such as broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, pumpkin and mushrooms. Healthy fats should come from nuts, olive oil and avocado.…

Before you decide to do any fast/ cleanse, including the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), it’s vital to determine your fundamental body type, says Dr Iverson. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are two major body types: yin dominant and yang dominant. Everybody embodies both yin and yang qualities—which are often described as feminine (yin) and masculine (yang). However, every person is usually predisposed to exhibit more of one or the other. As well, most people experience an excess or deficiency of one of them. The point of taking this short quiz (which can also be found in Iverson’s book Nature’s Detox, Trilium Health Press, 2017) is to determine how your body is currently expressing yin/ yang energetics so you can tailor your cleanse or fast for the best possible results and…

Jonathan was in his early 40s when he came to see me. It was mid-May in central London. His eyes were red and streaming, and he was deeply fed up. His hay fever was getting worse, he told me, year-on-year. He didn’t want to take antihistamines as they made him feel groggy and he was concerned about longterm risks. Jonathan knew pollen wasn’t the only culprit. He lived and worked in the city, but his parents had recently moved to the countryside, and he spent most weekends there. It was remarkable, he told me, how little he sneezed at their house although it was surrounded by grass, trees and plants of all sorts. Hay fever, despite its name, was rare or unknown before the Industrial Revolution began. In Japan, where…

Mold, mould, it’s everywhere! Anywhere dampness or moisture is present can be a breeding ground for these prevalent and invasive fungi. Mould can live on almost any surface,1 from wood, paper products, cardboard and ceiling tiles to drywall, insulation, paint, wallpaper, fabric, carpet and upholstery. Mold can even grow in dust! Outdoor spores sneak into our homes via open doors and windows, HVAC systems and vents. They can attach to our clothing, shoes and pets, allowing them to take up residence inside. And unfortunately these pervasive microorganisms are wreaking havoc on our health. Mold and your health According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, mould consistently ranks among the top indoor pollutants.2 Leading toxin experts, including Dr Lee Cowden, have stated, “The mycotoxins produced by mold are more toxic and…