Naturally Savvy

While there is a time and place for stringent detoxes, Dr. Holly Lucille explains there are also simple ways you can perform daily detox activities.Toxic exposure is at an all-time high. In fact, recent research uncovered that blood from current babies' umbilical cords has been found to contain more than 300 chemicals. While there is a time and place for stringent detoxes, Holly Lucille, ND (aka: Dr. Holly), explains there are also simple ways you can perform daily detox activities.  Dry skin brushing. Supports your lymph system, which essentially removes all the "junk" from your body. Brush towards the heart for five minutes with a natural bristle brush; aim for twice a day (but at the very least, a few times a week). Epsom salt bath. Easy, cost effective, relaxing. Two cups of salt and try for 20 minutes.  Oil pulling. Not only effective for decreasing plaque and other bacterial organisms, but it can also help whiten teeth safely and naturally. Journal for a few minutes each day. Emotionally and mentally cleansing.  Warm water with fresh lemon juice in the morning. Helps you stay hydrated and stimulates digestion. Dehydration can manifest as both hunger and fatigue.  Reduce exposure to toxins. Try to eat organic, local and seasonal as much as possible. The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) is a great resource.  Use healthy spices and herbs.  Increase fiber intake. Fiber binds to toxins and helps to eliminate them.  Cleanses can be effective at times, but make sure you're doing it in a healthy way. You might want to enlist the help of a healthcare practitioner who is skilled in detoxification to guide you and help personalize the approach. Dr. Holly also discusses her podcast, Mindful Medicine (also on RadioMD). 

Hot off Natural Products Expo West, 2017, Ashley Koff, RD, returns to discuss what she saw as the top trends, as well as her "9 Commandments of Better Nutrition." Hot off Natural Products Expo West, 2017, Ashley Koff, RD, returns to Naturally Savvy to share what she saw as the top trends. 1) Gummy supplements. More companies are doing these, and doing them right. 2) SIBO (slow intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and FODMAP diets and products. 3) Adaptogens. Class of herbs (leaf, berry, root) that have survived and thrived under extreme stress (i.e. Siberian ginseng, turmeric, Maca, reishi). They help your body adapt better to certain types of stress. A natural alternative to OTC solutions, or even stimulants like caffeine. Adaptogens can be found in powders, supplements, teas, bars, etc. Ashley also discusses her "9 Commandments of Better Nutrition," which include the following: better nutrition better be delicious better nutrition is better (not perfect) choices more often better nutrition better be doable in your life today better nutrition better be based on where you're at better nutrition better fit in your budget better nutrition means better quality better nutrition means better quantity better nutrition means better nutrient balance better nutrition means better frequency

The traditional approach to easing chronic pain is a failing solution. Medical marijuana is proving to be a viable alternative.During Dr. Rachna Patel's time spent in the ER, she frequently ran into two medication-based issues: patients who had overdosed on pain (opioid) medications, and drug seekers who were looking for those same medications.  Her goal, as a doctor, was to help people... not put them in a position where they could harm themselves. Unfortunately, the traditional approach to easing chronic pain is a failing solution. That is when Dr. Patel began her research on medical marijuana as an option and subsequently opened up her practice. Now, she is helping patients suffering from chronic pain of all sorts (fibromyalgia, back pain, arthritis, migraines, MS). Other conditions marijuana has been effective in treating include: Epilepsy. Reduces duration and frequency of seizures. Autism. Addresses anxiety. PTSD and panic attacks, particularly in veterans. These individuals no longer have to be hyper-vigilant but may still feel that way (especially in large crowds). Insomnia. Individuals fall asleep easier and stay asleep (or fall back asleep quickly). They wake up feeling refreshed and with no "hangover," which is often linked with OTC or prescription sleep aids. Methods of Treatment Dr. Patel's goal is to provide relief without patients having to smoke marijuana, suffer negative side effects, or become addicted to it. The avenues of treatment she offers include: Vaporization. Heats instead of burns, avoiding a combustion reaction.  Tincture. Drops under the tongue. Edibles. Gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan options. Topical formulations. Salve, ointment.  Vaginal and rectal formulations. Used for very specific purposes. The key is to create the appropriate balance of THC and CBD, avoiding a "toxic range" in which one would experience adverse side effects. With children, Dr. Patel teaches parents how to dose, as well as indicators of side effects (dizziness, heart racing, paranoia, anxiety, grogginess/fatigue). Legal Considerations In the few states where recreational use is approved, individuals are free to purchase marijuana, just as they would any other tobacco product (as long as of age). In states that approve use based on medicinal purposes, individuals need to be seen by a physician and receive a prescription. It varies from state-to-state as to how quickly you'll be approved.  Is Addiction a Concern? Whether or not there is a chance for addiction often depends on your tendencies. Do you have an addictive personality to begin with? Your likelihood might increase. If used for medical reasons, patients typically only use once a day or once every few days, which reduces the risk. Marijuana Munchies One of the most common questions Dr. Patel receives is "will I gain weight?" If you overdo THC, you're more likely to experience the stimulation in appetite (aka "the munchies"). However, this effect can be advantageous in patients who have a loss of appetite, such as those going through chemotherapy. Listen in as Dr. Patel joins host Andrea Donsky to explain the myriad of ways medical marijuana is helping people overcome health struggles in a safe, healthy manner.

Everyone experiences trauma at some point in their lives, but it doesn't have to hold you back from living your best life.Everyone experiences trauma at some point in their lives. Trauma doesn't have to be something severe; it can result from being fired from your job, infidelity, abuse, or just a loss of purpose... anything that happens to you that causes a chronic negative emotional experience and which keeps you from achieving your best self. Fortunately, there is hope for you to contribute, be more productive, and live a better life. Most of what holds you back is not circumstance, but rather a block that you may not even know you have.  Therapy is a fantastic model, but it's not efficient for immediate realizations of invisible blocks. Mastin Kipp, author, speaker and life interventionist, uses a model based on how the human being is wired and pattern recognition. Every pattern as a correlating belief/emotion. Mastin is able to drill down to the root cause rather quickly and shift the pattern. It's also important that you avoid passing down patterns and traumatic fallout to your children. To achieve this, Mastin suggests living their purpose, as well as your own. Focus on what lights them up, and amplify that on a daily basis. Grace is unearned. No matter how much "karma" you've built up, grace is your YES in your life. It's often not realized in the moment and can manifest in the form of a loss. But, looking back, that point of your life may have been a major shift. Listen in as Mastin joins host Andrea Donsky to explain his approach to helping individuals overcome trauma and live a life of purpose.

Learn how you can use "good vibes" to manifest the life you came here to live.Your mind can be a treacherous place. Wherever thought goes, energy follows. Once you're stuck in a negative vibration and have gone down the rabbit hole, all that rumination takes over... disallowing you from moving forward and creating positive progress. The problem is compounded by the constant stimuli and access to information in our current society. How can you stop negative thoughts in their tracks?  Shaman Isabella Stoloff suggests starting with this question: "Is this thought serving me?" The answer is usually no. Being aware can spur you to shift your thoughts to a place of productivity. Essentially, you leave yourself alone and get out of your own way. Isabella's Good Vibes Positive Affirmation Cards, which she co-created with her daughter Victoria Craven, help you find those good vibes daily. Each inspiring card is interwoven with high vibrational energy quotes and step-by-step instructions to assist you in manifesting the life you came here to live. When you release old stories, you create space in your mind to attract your deepest desires. Listen in as Isabella joins Andrea to discuss the detriment of negative thoughts, as well as how you can shift that which is heavy and unpleasant into positive energy.

In order for your body to properly digest wheat or gluten from other grains, you need to repair your digestive system.Many individuals experience negative effects from eating foods that contain wheat (gluten) or dairy, including digestive distress, rashes or hives, and brain fog. Why would you eat something that makes you feel bad? While you may temporarily solve those issues by removing the suspected problem food, you haven't really addressed the root cause.  Dr. John Douillard, author of Eat Wheat: A Scientific and Clinically-Proven Approach to Safely Bringing Wheat and Dairy Back Into Your Diet, explains that a breakdown in digestion has damaged the intestinal wall and leaked undigested foods and environmental toxins (i.e. pesticides, herbicides) into the body’s lymphatic system, causing “grain brain” symptoms and food allergies. In order for your body to properly digest wheat or gluten from other grains, you need to repair your digestive system.  Dr. Douillard suggests the following approaches: Liver and gallbladder: improve your bile flow by eating red beets, artichokes, leafy greens, turmeric and fenugreek.  Upper digestion. The five spices of ginger, cumin, coriander, fennel and cardamom. The key is to eat whole wheat in its natural state, as opposed to refined wheat products, which do cause negative health effects. Remember, any food in a processed version is a poison. Listen in as Dr. Douillard joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to explain why wheat is not the enemy, as well as provide tips for restoring the health of your gut and allowing for healthy consumption of gluten and other typically problematic foods.

The ancient practice of Kundalini yoga opens up an entryway to longevity, holistic balance, and emotional and mental clarity.At it's very core, the practice of yoga works with the human body's operating system. Guru Jagat, deemed the modern face of Kundalini yoga, teaches Kundalini as a technology and tool to work with that operating system, particularly by stimulating the endocrine system. Her technique opens up an entryway to longevity, holistic balance, and emotional and mental clarity.  In her book, Invincible Living: The Power of Yoga, The Energy of Breath, and Other Tools for a Radiant Life, explains how Kundalini forgoes complex poses for energy-boosting, breath-driven exercises, quick meditations, and simple poses (most of which you can do at your desk) and how it can reset your life and well-being, regardless of your age or background. From beauty and self-care to work and relationships, Invincible Living tackles: 1) the mind, from mood elevation and stress reduction to renewed mental clarity. 2) the body, from anti-aging, and increased metabolism to amped up energy. Listen in as Jagat joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about her approach to Kundalini yoga, as well as tips from her book.

Learn how the low-FODMAP diet works and why it can be beneficial for your child or teen.Your gut health is integral to overall health.  Unfortunately, many adults have lost the core concepts of how to be nutritionally sound, and they're also unable to teach their children healthy eating habits. Because of lapses in nutrition and other evolving factors surrounding certain foods (i.e. wheat), the instances of IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive distress have risen in the child and teen populations. Rachel Meltzer Warren, MS, RD, believes that's why it's important to give teens the proper foundation now, so they can switch this trend for the future. Rachel's new book, A Teen's Guide to Gut Health, utilizes the Low-FODMAP diet, which isn't really a "diet" in the traditional sense (nor a fad). Rather, this diet is an elimination and reintroduction plan of certain foods containing short-chain carbohydrates which many individuals find hard to digest. The low-FODMAP diet is not meant to be a lifetime plan; instead, it's a way to identify which foods are causing digestive issues. How does it work? For 2-6 weeks, cut back on all of the classes of foods that contain these short-chain carbohydrates. Then, one by one, reintroduce classes to test out how your body tolerates them. Some individuals can tolerate one class but not another; sometimes it depends on the amount. Essentially, low-FODMAP is a tool for finding out what your body tolerance is and discovering which classes of carbs are problematic.  The tricky part is that the foods are not overly obvious. A new app has a frequently updated database of foods, which include onions, garlic, apples, avocados, beans, and wheat. During the 2-6 week test period, find some go-to meals without those staples that you can rotate through. Once you've identified the foods that bother you, you can continue with the diet in a modified fashion; learning to live with what you've discovered along the way. Listen in as Rachel joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to discuss the low-FODMAP diet, as well as why legitimizing kids' and teens' digestive health problems is so important, especially in the school environment.

While there are many collagen supplements on the market in pill form, other types of consumable options are available as well.Supplementing with collagen can provide head-to-toe benefits, not just beauty. Your bone, joint, cardiovascular and digestive health all benefit, because you're rebuilding ALL tissues from the inside out.  Studies have shown that collagen helps reduce blood pressure and decreases risk of heart disease by improving the health of veins, arteries and the heart muscle. Also, collagen helps mitigate the bone-destroying effects of Americans' increasingly acidic diets by improving bone density and flexibility.  While there are many collagen supplements on the market in pill form, other types of consumable options are available as well. Powdered collagen can be added to things like salad dressings, sauces, soups, even mac-n-cheese. The powder is unflavored and can survive boiling temperatures. It's a great way to boost the nutritional value of your favorite foods. Listen in as Tim Mount, National Educator for NeoCell, joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about collagen's benefits for the whole body, as well as the varying ways you can get more collagen into your daily regimen.

The younger you can get your kids interested in addressing daily stressors in a healthy way, the better.Stress, fatigue, depression, sleeping problems, issues with focus and concentration, headaches, and substance abuse are all issues kids and teens are dealing with, especially in today's world. The younger you can get your kids interested in addressing these stressors in a healthy way, the better. You can literally shift the trajectory from obesity and chronic illness to a long, healthy life.  Nada Milosavljevic, JD, MD, author of the book Holistic Health for Adolescents, offers some guidance for using holistic methods for helping your kids through the tough times. Guided meditation, even if your child isn't fully paying attention 100 percent of the time, can be wildly helpful.  Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils derived from plants and can provide calming and relaxing sensations in the body and brain. Find a scent that is pleasurable to you and your child, and make sure you're using fully natural oils of high quality.  Teas such as chamomile and Valerian root are also useful for a calming effect. Yoga can help bring about focus in provide opportunities for "being in the moment." It's essential to find the most effective tools for your kids so they can deal with stressors in the moment. Listen in as Dr. Nada joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about these holistic methods, as well as specific excerpts from her book.

Many people are lackadaisical about exercise, simply because they have not found the right "fit" for fitness.Many people are lackadaisical about exercise, simply because they have not found the right "fit" for fitness. However, research is telling us over and over that being active is non-negotiable. You need to make the time to do something. Kathleen Trotter, personal trainer and author of Finding Your Fit: A Compassionate Trainer’s Guide to Making Fitness a Lifelong Habit, says the key is finding an activity YOU enjoy. Don't feel obligated to participate in activities your friends and family members like. It's also important to find your balance.  For example, running might be your bliss, but it can also be hard on your body. Stretching, yoga, Pilates, swimming, etc. can help create that balance.  Your "fitness recipe" will change throughout life, based on age or certain life situations. As you get older, balance training and flexibility becomes more important. You may still be able to run, but perhaps not as fast or as far. Kathleen offers these other fitness tips: Don't beat yourself up for missing a day. Instead, allow yourself that day and get back on the horse the next.  When you don't want to do something, try it for at least 10 minutes. More often than not, you'll keep going past that 10-minute mark.  Try the color challenge. Pick specific colors that will spur actions. Every time you see blue, stand up taller; red, take a drink of water; green, walk faster for five minutes. Getting fit doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Make use of online videos or even just walk around your neighborhood. Listen in as Kathleen joins Andrea and Lisa to share more advice from her book, as well as simple tips for making fitness fun.

From proper digestion to fighting migraines, magnesium is truly the miracle mineral.Does your body have the resources it need to perform optimally? Magnesium is one of the most essential mineral to ensure your body runs smoothly, particularly in regards to combating inflammatory stress. Unfortunately, 70 percent of American diets don't meet the baseline minimum for magnesium.  From proper digestion to fighting migraines, magnesium is truly the miracle mineral. It also helps stop unhealthy inflammatory responses before they get out of control.  One of the reasons for the deficiency is that processed foods have removed much of the magnesium from our diets. For example, white flour and white sugar is nearly devoid of the mineral. However, it would be almost impossible to meet all your magnesium needs through foods. That's why supplementation becomes essential.   Another issue is that calcium intake has been over-emphasized, while magnesium intake has been under-emphasized. The two work in opposition; calcium tightens and magnesium relaxes. When you're out of balance (too much calcium, not enough magnesium), you might experience certain issues such as constipation or excruciating PMS symptoms. Work closely with your health practitioner to discover if you might need to up your magnesium intake, as well as which supplements might be the best. Listen in as Ashley Koff, RD, joins Andrea and Lisa to explain why magnesium is so crucial for optimal health and what the appropriate dosage is for you.

As humans, we enjoy being lost (or perhaps found) in wildness and the grandness of nature.Nature is a powerful, spiritual source.  As humans, we enjoy being lost (or perhaps found) in wildness and the grandness of nature. Julianne Skai Arbor, aka TreeGirl, is a photographer, certified arborist, conservation educator and forest ecotherapist. In her new book, TreeGirl: Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature, she invites her readers into intimate contact with 50 magnificent tree species from her adventures in 13 countries on four continents. Using a remote-control timer and a tripod, she has photographed herself and others in sensual connection with the trees of the world. Listen in as Julianne joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about her adventures with trees, as well as why it's important to reconnect with nature.

Motivation can be hard to come by, especially if you're living a stressed-out, frenzied life.Motivation can be hard to come by, especially if you're living a stressed-out, frenzied life. And, just because you accomplish tasks throughout the day, doesn't mean you have motivation. Joyce Knudsen, PhD, author of the book, Refusing to Quit, joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share her five steps to ramp up your motivation. 1) Think about purpose. Most people don't have one, or aren't focused enough on one. Start by performing deeds that improve the lives of others. You can have more than one purpose, but you have to complete one before moving on to the next. 2) Pretend that you've already reached your goal. Visualize yourself achieving that goal. Focus on the appreciation of success, rather than the obstacles. 3) Talk to a positive and supportive friend. Social media can be a beneficial avenue for syncing up with people who are like-minded and who might be able to share their own experiences. Unfortunately, women are often unsupportive of other women, so seek out a support system that really cares and can lift you up. 4) Read inspiring books that feature success stories. There is an unlimited supply of information out there; find an author who speaks to you.  5) Create positive energy rituals. Start your day with a practice that clears your mind and sets the stage for the day, such as guided meditation.

As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy.As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, shares his top 10 tips for improving your sleep and energy levels this holiday season (and all year round). 1) You can have your cake and eat it too. There are health benefits to pleasure, so enjoy your dessert, but in small quantities, not as the main course. Shocking factoid: 85 percent of the pleasure is experienced in the first few bites. Also, it takes 15 minutes for the brain to experience the satiation response, so wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds. Small dessert servings equal pleasure without guilt! 2) Chocolate is a health food, but it’s rich, so go for quality, not quantity. Enjoy a square of premium chocolate and savor the sensation as it melts in your mouth. Apply a little mindfulness to the holiday food experience and you’ll enjoy the sweetness more deeply and feel satiated and satisfied. In this case, less is better. 3) Russell Stover makes dynamite sugar-free chocolates. Also, high-end Abdullah chocolates (with sugar) are just so good you won’t need much to feel satisfied. They also have an excellent sugar-free line. 4) Stay away from “energy loan sharks” like sugary, caffeinated drinks that provide a temporary boost but end in a crash, and often insomnia. They do give quick energy but then take away twice as much by dropping your blood sugar. 5) An excellent alternative? Find healthy sources of energy that make you feel good throughout the day and improve overall health. I recommend D-ribose (5 mg per day) mixed with the Energy Revitalization System (replaces 35 vitamin pills in a single scoop) to start the day off with a healthy, legitimate energy source that supports you for many hours. Two studies (by Dr Teitelbaum) showed that ribose increased energy a dramatic average of 61 percent. You often can’t get enough energy-making vitamins and minerals from the Standard American Diet (SAD), especially B vitamins and magnesium. Most people are amazed at how much more energy they feel after taking a high potency B vitamin with magnesium as found in the Energy Revitalization System. 6) A quick fix for getting energized is to drink 12 ounces of cold water. Most of us don’t drink enough water and are actually dehydrated. Instead of reaching for a soda, try good old H2O. The cold water also acts like a bracing splash of cold water on your face... only for your whole body. 7) Make time for sleep by entering it in your appointment scheduler. Schedule sleep as a priority and you’re likely to take it more seriously. 8) Cut out things you don’t enjoy; the stuff that doesn’t make you feel good. To that end, consider cutting back on the 24-hour news cycle that rehashes election fallout featuring endless rants by “talking heads.” Just flick the OFF button and you’ll probably feel more relaxed immediately and ready for sleepy-time. 9) Try natural sleep supplements like Revitalizing Sleep and Healthy ZZZs before you go for sleeping pills or antihistamines that knock you out and often leave you feeling groggy the next morning. 10) Avoid “energy vampires” who leave you feeling drained after speaking with them. Don’t be afraid to say “no.”