Will Acne Ever Rule the World?

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Author: Dr. Paul Kwik D.C.

Chiropractor, Functional Health Doctor, EMF Remediation Specialist
📩 [Contact for personalized health plans]

I'm sure it feels that way for some kids. I had my share of mild acne when I was younger and I have divots on my head to prove it.  Experience with my patients and children tells me that you can beat acne, as long as they do what I tell them to do. 

What is the cause of acne?  That's the million-dollar question. 
I believe there are  multiple reasons for this. Stress and Diet are pieces of the puzzle not to mention all the additional chemicals and toxic exposure in our environment that is more unprecedented today than ever before.

Action steps to take with Acne:

• Keep skin clean with safe and healthy skincare products free of hormone-disrupting ingredients and pore-clogging petroleum

• Change pillowcases often to avoid ongoing exposure to dirt and excess oils

• Try to limit hand to face contact to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs; carry Silvercillin spray to disinfect hands and surfaces

• Decrease flare-ups by countering stress with adequate sleep and relaxation

• Encourage elimination of toxins through sweating by exercising or using a far infrared sauna

Dietary Tips and Caveats:

• Limit or avoid dairy products, white flour, and sugar-laden foods and beverages

• Eat healthy high quality proteins including dairy-free protein shakes, such as PurePaleo Chocolate or Vanilla protein made from bone broth and delicious.

• Drink plenty of water to facilitate elimination of wastes.  1 quart per 50 lb body weight.  Pure Berkey filtered water or Reverse Osmosis water.

• Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, ground flax seeds, chia seeds and raw nuts

• Eat a phytonutrient-rich diet of unprocessed whole foods, abundant in vegetables and fruits (preferably organic) that contain antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E

• Support blood sugar balance by avoiding foods that spike blood sugar such as high-sugar snacks and beverages (includes sodas and fruit juices); refined carbohydrates, and high fructose corn syrup; avoid excess sugar to prevent accumulation of the toxic by-product, acetaldehyde

Supplement Recommendations:  Strongly recommend blood work to test for dosing below and other Nutrients that may be needed. 

AcnutrolTM capsules 6 capsules per day

Hylands ClearAc as directed on label

Probiotic SynergyTM Probiospheres 1 sphere per day with breakfast

OmegAvailTM Synergy 2 softgels per day with meals

Optional, if needed: Hi-Po Emulsi-D3 liquid 1 drop per day or 1 ADK per day.   Strongly recommend blood work to test for Vitamin D dosing.  

Disclaimer:  THE DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PRODUCTS OFFERED BY DESIGNS FOR HEALTH ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CONSUMERS AS A MEANS TO CURE, TREAT, PREVENT, DIAGNOSE, OR MITIGATE ANY DISEASE OR OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION.

Why is there a Prop 65 Warning Label on this product?

Author: Dr. Paul Kwik D.C.

Chiropractor, Functional Health Doctor, EMF Remediation Specialist
📩 [Contact for personalized health plans]

This is a frivolous warning label from California Proposition 65.  My family and I take products with this label because its safe.  Please read below.

1. Proposition 65 is a California law that requires a warning on any products containing qualifying
levels of over 800 substances, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and even Vitamin A at certain
levels.
2. The reason some of our products contain this warning is due to the presence of lead above .5 mcg
per recommended daily dose or per serving. This affects less than 15% of our products.
NOTE: The highest per serving lead level found in any Designs for Health product is less than
you might find in a 4 oz. serving of lettuce.
3. We use the purest ingredients available, but lead is everywhere in our environment and is
impossible to avoid in many natural, plant-based ingredients. That’s because lead is found in the
soil where the plants are grown and, therefore, it is present in virtually all plant-based foods.

Examples of lead content of common foods as reported by U.S. FDA
(These foods would require a Prop 65 warning if they were dietary supplements)
Median Highest found
Food mcg/serving mcg/serving
Lettuce, leaf, raw 0.57 1.59 4 oz. serving
Spinach, fresh/frozen, boiled 1.47 7.03 4 oz. serving
Bread, cracked wheat 0.68 2.38 6 oz. serving
Sweet potatoes, fresh, baked 1.59 7.26 4 oz. serving
Fruit juice blend (100% juice) 0.85 2.38 6 oz. serving
Data from US Food & Drug Administration
Total Diet Study - Market Baskets 2006-1 through 2008-4; Market Baskets 1991-3 through 2005-4
The fact is – most foods found in the produce section of the grocery store, along with many other
healthy foods such as nuts, fish, wine, and many others – would require a Prop 65 warning label if the
law was uniformly enforced.

Does a Prop 65 warning mean the product is unsafe?

1. No. As the State of California’s own Proposition 65 website states, “A Proposition 65 warning
does not necessarily mean a product is in violation of any product-safety standards or
requirements.”
2. The FDA’s Recommended Safe and Tolerable Daily Diet Lead Intake for adults is 75 mcg. 
• This is 150 times the amount that requires a Prop 65 warning, and yet is considered safe by
the U.S. FDA
3. The FDA has established 750 mcg as the amount of lead that is known to cause health problems.
• This is 1,500 times the amount that requires a Prop 65 warning
An Industry-Wide Issue
This issue affects all companies that make nutritional supplements. The fact that some companies
selling in California are not adding warning labels to their products does not mean their products are
free of lead. Some companies may not be aware of the law; some have apparently chosen not to
comply; still others have been sued or are currently in litigation with the state of California regarding
their failure to comply with the law. 
Since consumers have the right to be informed, and even practitioners are subject to the law and
subject to fines for failure to comply, DFH has chosen to add warning labels to any affected products, 
thereby informing consumers and protecting all parties involved. 

980    South    St.    Suffield,    CT    06078    n Phone    (800)    847-8302    n Fax    (860)    627-0661    www.designsforhealth.com

Great healthy french fry recipe

Celery Root French Fries - Super Bowl Recipe

Serves one person

1 celery root, cut French fry style
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. smoked paprika
½ tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. grape seed oil
½ tsp. sea salt
 
Preheat oven at 450F, place the fries on a baking sheet and sprinkle seasonings on top, mix well. Place in oven for approximately 30 minutes in the oven, turning half way through. Once the fries are well cooked, drizzle with oil.

Ready to serve!

Quick, impromptu Salad Dressing a Winner!

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Author: Dr. Paul Kwik D.C.

Chiropractor, Functional Health Doctor, EMF Remediation Specialist
📩 [Contact for personalized health plans]

We had our third Daniel Plan/biblical foundations for health workshop and we made a healthy shake and dressing. I forgot the lemon so I just made it up.   

I put it on organic spinach and let everybody try it. YUMMY! One person said, "I'm going to make that one tonight when I get home". It was already after 9 pm. I just barely taste tested it and after everybody ate it, there was no more, so I had some at home as well.

Personally, I don't like vegetables by themselves, especially raw cruciferous veggies like broccoli. I sometimes force myself to eat it because its so healthy. On the other hand, I have learned to almost make any veggie taste awesome, or for that matter, almost any food. Recipes down below!

Secret tips:

I was sharing with a patient how to make a winning salad dressing.  She worked at the white house for years as the head chef.  She said that they got to hang out for several times with a world renowned chef.   Because it is not kosher to ask for the recipe, she just observed. After I told her my recipe,  her discoveries with this chef revealed a similar dressing.  See below for recipe.

My kids lick this off their plate because it's so good.  

Here is the foundational ingredients that you can build world class dressing with:

1 tsp dijon mustard smooth or grainy 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp mixed efas (from my office) or expeller expressed flax oil. This is the base recipe. I replaced the raw wine vinegar with the apple cider vinegar. I triple the amounts so I can have enough for family of 5 to last longer. Add herbs, garlic or anything else to your hearts desire. Enjoy!

Here is the one I made in the Daniel Class:

Serves 10 people plus.

1. 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin Olive oil.   Click here for good brands.

2. 1/2 cup Mixed efa (Biotics brand carried at my office),  More info.

3. 1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar

4. 3 cloves minced garlic cloves

5. 2-3 tsp Premier Pink Sea Salt

6. 1 tbl Dijon Mustard

7. Enjoy!!!!

Here are materials to make dressing easier:  Immersion blender and Lemon extractor, both inexpensive to buy.

Here are convenient healthy foods we get a Costco that require less prep time.  Just add to smoothie or make a salad with it.  

Yes I put coconut oil directly in my smoothies!   Great for taste, anti-infection & even weight loss! 1 to 3 tbl per day per adult person.

 I use these mason jars for storage of all liquid items, like the above salad dressing and use it for my daily power drink.   Its a 32 oz size.  Get a bunch at any Walmart, etc.

I use this Grass fed butter because its healthy and tastes great!  Put over  vegies with Premier Pink Salt above. Yummy!

Tip:   Grass fed butter has tons better fats for you!  More info.

Carbs, Carbs, Carbs!    The woe of modern man.  Here are some healthy carbs at Costco, assuming you are not crazy gluten sensitive.  No gluten but still may inflame you if you are freaked by gluten.  Otherwise, its ok.  

Tip: Make sure that grains or starches are no more than 25% of your plate!

Yummy Paleo Recipe

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Author: Dr. Paul Kwik D.C.

Chiropractor, Functional Health Doctor, EMF Remediation Specialist
📩 [Contact for personalized health plans]

If you're like me we don't have time to make good meals. I love healthy meals that are quick and easy! In the morning I start with a healthy vitamix shake that takes me 15 minutes for my whole family. For lunch this was an easy, fast paleo organic salad with yummy dressing and fermented foods for a healthy happy Flora population in your digestive system! I have found that gut health from proper bacterial an yeast colonies are critical to our health and happiness! I am happy and satisfied from this scrumptious meal.

Recipe:

4 cups organic mixed greens from taylor farms
2 tbl mediterranean garlic sauce. Click here for Recipe.
1 cup fermented foods including green peppers, fish, mushrooms. Thanks mom from Korea that help make these foods!
1 cup cucumbers

If you don't feel like eating sometimes or your tummy is not happy, Click here to see if you are toxic.

What's up with aging?

Author: Dr. Paul Kwik D.C.

Chiropractor, Functional Health Doctor, EMF Remediation Specialist
📩 [Contact for personalized health plans]

What's up with aging?

It's not Botox my friends!

You're not 30 anymore, and what you took for granted in your younger years has been replaced by various aspects of change that you either see or feel as your physiology changes.

More importantly, is the need to ward off disease. No you are not exempt from this group, but you can take measures to enhance your health and provide your body with protective actions based upon your lifestyle behaviors and the science of an integrative approach to health care.

What should you be most concerned with?

While I could pick from an arsenal of tests based upon ones family history, current lifestyle habits and your individual complaints, there are some fundamental markers that must be examined in all of us, and these markers, known in medical science are termed biomarkers as they reflect our biology and what state they are in.

When you have your blood taken, each one of the tests prescribed represents a given biomarker. Of course it is the collective gathering of various biomarkers that allows us as doctors to understand the "bodies story", and what clinical actions to take to help you improve the quality of your health. But herein lies a critical issue. How your doctor was trained, thinks, and if he or she practices conventional medicine alone, or incorporates the emerging science of functional medicine, clinical nutrition and the role that epigenetic's plays in our lives can make all the difference.

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine can be defined as both the way a doctor thinks (causation and mechanism based as opposed to symptom suppression or formulary based in many cases). Utilizes unique laboratory testing, as well as standard testing to help define your health issues; along with the use of natural medicines when applicable. Who said a pharmaceutical drug is the only way to treat an illness? Seriously think about this statement for a moment.

What is Epigenetic's?

Epigenetic's can be defined as all the things you bathe your cells in every day, (what surrounds our genes), such as your stress levels, what you eat, your weight, how much you exercise, the chemicals you are exposed to over time, etc.

One of the two most important biomarkers to keep a tight rein on, are your sugars, and inflammation.

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A standard chemistry reports our glucose levels, but if we rely on this alone, it is not enough to tell the story. We must have a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and a fasting insulin level, as the HbA1c reflects where your sugars have averaged over 3 months.

Why is this so important?

In America currently 79 million people are pre diabetic, and 26 million are diabetic. Collectively this represents 105 million people with a sugar disorder, and we have approximately 300 million people in our country.  The profundity of this fact, and the fall out of high sugars in the blood stream are directly related to significant increased rates of cardiovascular disease (Still the # 1 killer), cancers, Alzheimer's disease and other vascular disorders that cost you either the loss of life or the quality of it, that you were born to maintain.

The real truth is while we have all been taught to watch our cholesterol levels, and everyone has bought into this as the end all do all to prevent disease of our cardiovascular system, it is our sugars and inflammation that take center stage, not cholesterol that we need to put our focus on.

The science supporting this statement is actually overwhelming, but the pharmaceutical companies choose to continue to push statin drugs over this science because the cash cow it has produced is so amazing that until an equally profitable drug for sugar and inflammation can replace it, it's here to stay. I know this is a painful reality, but you can't look away from the truth!

So how do I know if my inflammation markers are up?

We all know when we have a painful swollen joint. It's red, hot and it hurts.  That's not the inflammation I'm referring to. It is a chronic low grade inflammation that resides in your blood vessels and body that causes all the havoc over time.

There are 2 primary biomarkers we can assess easily on a blood test.

One is called C-reactive protein or CRP, the other is called Cardio CRP or sensitive CRP. 

CRP alone is a general inflammation marker for your whole body; Cardio CRP is specific to inflammation in your blood vessels. If your cardio CRP is elevated, your risk of stroke or a heart attack is greatly increased.

While there are many factors that influence CRP's, a primary driver is insulin resistance or elevated sugars! This biomarker when elevated can actually cause the plaque in your blood vessels to break loose and throw a clot. So when you actually look at the mechanism behind this part of your physiology, you begin to understand its importance.

How do I know if these biomarkers are okay and if I'm healthy?

-One of the best ways to remain healthy is to take an interest and become more proactive about your health.

-Make sure to ask your doctor to run these critical tests I have outlined for you, if he or she has not already done so. 

-If you want a second opinion or interpretation, call me and I will be happy to read these tests for you. 

Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is still and will always be the elephant in the room. No pill, potion or lotion can ever take its place, despite your hopes for science to save you from a fundamental of life.-

If you want a second opinion or interpretation, call me and I will be happy to read these tests for you.  

As we age, without exercise our body composition changes. We lose muscle mass, and its replaced with fatty tissue. This is without weight gain, so if you add weight gain to this equation, your body composition starts taking on a whole new picture, and it's not favorable!  Over time this equates to a dreaded state we observe in many of our aging parents or the elderly, and if we could put one word to best describe it, it could be best stated as frailty. 

Oh it's just fat, and I'm getting older. Isn't that just part of aging?

NO IT IS NOT!

The truth is that, the awareness of your health is your responsibility to yourself.

If you want to reduce your propensity to disease, you need to be mindful of what your body requires to keep your Ferrari a well oiled machine.

The quality, quantity and types of food you eat daily is the fuel you feed that Ferrari.

As the old adage goes- "Garbage in garbage out".

The science on diet, lifestyle and disease prevention is not coming. It's here, and always has been. The food industry is driven by profits, not your health. Keep reading quality information such as the recently published study on the Mediterranean diet.

So successful were the results of this Meta analysis study, proving its cardiovascular health benefits that even the American Heart Association's diet now must acknowledge its recommendations were wrong. (In high probability it will just adopt these new guidelines, but who cares as long as people are taught to eat foods that actually promote health and longevity).

Take fish oils daily, eat nuts seeds and legumes. Consume more lean proteins like fish and increase your use of olive oil.

Increase salads, vegetables and fruits, especially berries and DO NOT EAT A LOW FAT DIET! The theory on low fat diets has unequivocally been proven wrong. It is the types of fat that we consume, that makes all the difference.

Low fat diets promote high carbohydrate intake, and this directly drives insulin resistance and diabetes. The American epidemic of obesity has in part been driven by disseminating the wrong information, despite its good intentions.

I would also urge you to make sure your Vitamin D status is optimal as well, so your doctor needs to run this chemistry every 6 months.

Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with healthy bone density, lowered inflammation, improved immune surveillance and cancer reduction, as well as lowered mortality rates across the board in the elderly.

While the reference range is 30-100, the institute for functional medicine advises a level of 50-80 for optimal wellness, and I concur completely.  Most patients require 2000-4000 iu. Vitamin D3 per day to attain this goal. The institute of medicine in my opinion is way off the mark with its recommendations of 600 iu. of vitamin D a day when the literature clearly favors higher levels for optimal health.

Eat healthy, stay active; maintain a flexible spine and healthy nervous system through chiropractic care and exercise.  Have a great physical every year with a cutting edge doctor, and instead of fearing what your doctor may tell you, based upon lifestyle habits that you know are not conducive to good health- impress your doctor by showing him or her that you took proactive measures in your own hands, and be proud of your personal accomplishments.

​Credit to this article goes to Dr. Loren Marks,  New York, NY.