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Arriving at the Crossroad Many people have health problems which are identified with isms and itises that occur when the body systems are not functioning optimally. Eventually these health problems interfere with work, lifestyle, and happiness. Many people reach a crossroad in their life because they are not aware of needs of the body's functional systems and have made bad choices in lifestyle, diet and nutrition, or need for exercise. In order for person to return to health or reach a higher level of generalized health, they must have an understanding of how the body's functional systems contribute to these conditions. At the crossroad you can make the choice of which way to turn. It is my purpose to guide you with a map rather than act as a traffic cop, directing you on a detour. The journey has been successfully taken by others before you. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. Many people who seek health care advice have common findings that are identified first with a diagnosis and then classified into a score of conditions and severity. Once the condition is understood and the source of the problem is identified, therapies that work with the body’s own recuperative powers, instead of against them, can be employed. The following are conditions that are commonly observed by health care providers: Allergies and Sensitivities Arthritis and Bone Disorders Asthma and Respiratory Conditions Behavioral and Learning Disorders Cancer and It's Prevention Candida Yeast, Mold and Parasites Cardiovascular Disease and Circulation Chemical and Drug Toxicity Childhood Illnesses Chronic Fatigue Chronic Pain Colitis, Diverticulits and Crohn's Disease Malabsorption Problems Multiple Sclerosis Obesity Psychological Disorders Skin conditions ALLERGIES and SENSITIVITIES Foods, pesticides, herbicides, dust, mold, fungus, yeast, trees, grass, weeds, fabrics, cosmetics, laundry detergents, insects, mites, pets, parasites, engine exhaust, paint, solvents, furniture, amalgam fillings, tooth paste, hair spray, hair coloring, artificial lighting and even high voltage electro-magnetic radiation have been linked to immune reactions, sensitivities and intolerance. The book on allergies has not been written which explains all of the ways, which the human immune-nervous-digestive-respiratory-circulatory-hormonal-skeletal-urinary elimination systems respond to substances from outside the body. At least one half of all degenerative conditions involve foreign substance reactions - foods and food derived chemicals being the most common. Identification is done through taking a history, examination, and testing how and which substance might be associated with your health concern. Everyone is different. An allergy is not merle hives or nasal drip, the immune system must be addressed to eliminate reactions. Sometimes this is by unloading the body of inflammatory triggers through avoidance, detoxification, cleansing, home hygiene, etc. to raise the threshold of reaction to substances that can not be avoided. ARTHRITIS and BONE DISORDERS The most common arthritis is a condition involving inadequate nutrition to the tissues that are elements of the joint. This is not only the bone itself, but the cartilage, supportive ligaments and the muscle that move and support the joint. This most often involves protein and calcium malnutrition or malabsorption. Although this is often observed in elderly people, and therefore thought to be an aging process it is in fact more about mileage rather than the age. Most degenerative arthritis is post joint injury. Vascular changes can occur to bone and joint tissue which interfere with the delivery of nutrient to the damaged tissue. To prevent this it is important to have therapeutic support to injured joints. This should not only be modality support to relax the pain reactions in the tissue that interfere with circulation, but elimination of food sensitivities that cause interference with circulation and delivery of nutrients and especially oxygen to the damaged tissue. Mobilization and motion therapy is important to prevent stasis of cellar metabolites which aggravate scar tissue formation. Although scar tissue is considered part of healing it in fact can interfere with tissue regeneration. Arthritis is seen in all individuals, even in young children who suffer repetitive injuries playing sports. There are no two individuals that have the same complaints. Evaluating a person metabolically will often disclose the underlying cause of the condition. A special case of bone degeneration is osteoporosis. The natural shortening of the human posture is a symptom of this condition that can eventually be crippling or result in spontaneous fractures. People over the age of 60 can testify that they have lost anywhere from one-half to three inches in their overall height since their twenty-first birthday. This is due to a reduction in the length of the spine and often the discs, or pads, that separate the spinal vertebral segments. Optimum nutrition, determined by examination, history and laboratory testing, in most cases, can help reduce pain, strengthen bone and for some individuals, an improvement in height. Even an inflammatory auto-immune arthritis such as Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have inflammatory triggers caused by food sensitivities. These can be easily identified by a simple blood test at a specialized laboratory and then eliminated by making dietary changes. ASTHMA and Pulmonary Inflammatory Disease Breathing and pulmonary disorders are the fourth leading cause of adult death after heart disease, cancer and accidents. Pulmonary function studies can be analyzed by a spirometer to measure improvements in breathing while undergoing treatments. There are several forms of asthma. There may be associated deep chronic systemic infection. There may reaction to chemicals in foods or environmental pollutants. Food triggers can also precipitate a reaction. Being the most important nutrient for health, oxygen is often ignored until a crises develops. Often asthma sufferers have hidden allergies or chemical or food sensitivities that are revealed by laboratory examination. A careful analysis of a person's lifestyle, stresses, nutrition and exercise requirements assist us in determining the best course of action. Laboratory studies are necessary and prudent to make sure something as simple as dietary food choices do not contribute to this common problem. Follow-up pulmonary function studies and specific laboratory tests help measure improvement. BEHAVIORAL and LEARNING DISORDERS The human nervous system malfunctions during malnutrition or poor nutritional choices. This is one reason why certain fad diets and fasting is dangerous to the body. Advances in brain science have led to new insights into mental illness. Many disorders are now recognized to be caused by aberrations in the infinitely complex interactions of brain chemicals. Our approach is to examine the nutritional and metabolic needs of the individual to achieve neurotransmitter balance. Psychological, physical and biochemical examinations often reveal the underlying cause of the condition. Such conditions as attention deficit disorder, depression, manic-depressive disorder, hyperactivity, autism, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's begin to display a commonality when effective treatments with adequate dosages of naturally occurring nutrients, either alone or in combination, are found to provide relief. CANCER AND ITS PREVENTION Cancer affects one out of three Americans. It is the most dreaded illness of all time. Many people seek our help with nutrition and even start a preventive program while they are undergoing their standard treatments. We evaluate the function of the body and make recommendations appropriate to fortify the body's immune system. Metabolic Therapy does not replace the orthodox medical care that a cancer patient may require. It augments the standard medical approach to facilitate the inherent healing potential of the body. Some people turn to nutritional therapy after other therapies have failed and they are told there is no hope. For these people, our approach can reduce suffering and improve the quality of their life. Often, patients who have been diagnosed as having cancer are referred to us for specific diet and nutritional counseling and individualized therapies. Each person must be evaluated carefully on an individual basis to determine what is best for each specific situation. Although nutrition cannot reverse an advanced cancer where organs and tissues have been destroyed, more evidence is being produced all the time showing that early detection followed by specific nutritional treatment affords the greatest advantage for the individual no matter what therapies are undertaken afterward. In most recent cancer investigations, nutrition has been the component that has been omitted. Our approach is the restoration of normal health and recovery from such debilitating problems using substances common to food. CANDIDA Yeast infections have become more common as antibiotic-laden foods find their way to our table. Steroid medications, a high sugar diet and stress play a role in upsetting the delicate balance among friendly as well as unfriendly ones. While all of us have some yeast present in our bowel, bladder, throat and even brain, a healthy immune system can keep these parasitic plants in check. Populations of yeast, mold and fungus begin to rise in the body when internal as well as external factors weaken our reserves. Overgrowth of yeast is usually caused by antibiotic therapies which destroy the balance of good organisms that live in the gut and provide necessary micro-nutrients to our body. This is usually accomplished with probiotics. An individual's condition will usually determine which probiotics to administer and is usually determined by the laboratories. Many times an individual with a Candida overgrowth suffers with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because Candida consumes and competes for the body's carbohydrates. One of the classic signs of a Candida issue is having a sugar craving. Proper diet and nutritional support is key to controlling this condition CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE and CIRCULATION The modern approach to treating heart attacks with drugs is considered "conservative" by surgeons; but it is in fact extreme, and usually leads to by-pass or open-heart surgery. While the surgical approach may indeed relieve the symptoms for a period of time, if nothing is done to address the underlying cause of the heart disease, the problem is certain to return. Surgery is sometimes necessary to save a life, once a person with heart disease is medically stable, we can adopt a "more conservative" approach. Almost all medical doctors agree that lifestyle and diet are the keys to preventing cardiovascular problems. It has also been shown that exercise, diet, stress reduction and nutritional therapy can arrest and often reverse cardiovascular impairment and high blood pressure. By taking a careful health history, detailed nutritional physical exam and appropriate laboratory examination, the best program can be developed for the individual. CHEMICAL and DRUG TOXICITY The use of drugs and alcohol is not only increasing but is occurring at an earlier age than ever before. While tobacco usage is dropping among older age groups the only group actually showing an increase is among those between 10 and 14 years of age. Young girls are twice as likely to take up smoking and use alcohol as boys. Such early usage of addictive substances sets a stage for harder drugs later in life. A fully integrated approach to family lifestyle counseling as well as determining the best metabolic plan for each individual is our method. CHILDHOOD DISEASES Hyperactivity, learning disabilities, scoliosis, eating disorders, chronic infections, attention deficit and behavioral problems are conditions that need nutritional support. Our treatment is very individualized, because these conditions can be caused by many different factors. After discovering the underlying causes, we tailor the treatment to each family and patient's individual situation. CHRONIC FATIGUE Lack of adequate rest or exercise is a common modern cause of reduced energy. Malnutrition is also a known cause of ongoing fatigue. Any one of 102 essential nutrients, when lacking in the diet, can produce fatigue. One condition often overlooked as a cause of chronic and progressive fatigue is post viral syndrome. Some germs such as the Epstein-Barr virus have a nasty habit of damaging the body's ability to convert food into energy. Slow growing viruses can live in liver, brain and nervous systems to smolder for years evading the immune system before a true disease can be identified. Latest scientific studies on sub-virus sized entities called prions threaten to further weaken the health of humans. Viral infections put an exceptional load on the body's immune system and may require other than the normal maintenance alimentary pathway to keep up with the demand for nourishment. IV Therapy is sometime necessary to help the body shed a virus down to the level were nutritional maintenance programs can work. We attempt to determine the cause of the chronic fatigue and develop a program of detoxification, virus control, and restoration specifically tailored to the individual needs. CHRONIC PAIN Old injuries, inflammation, internal disorders and stress often give rise to unrelenting pain. Muscles, joints, bones and internal organs such as gall bladder or stomach can give rise to pain reflexes emerging at a spinal level or some other surface. Pain cannot be measured in a physical or biochemical examination. However, its cause can often be found and modulated by physical and nutritional means. One condition known as Fibromyalgia (pain in muscles and fibrotic tissues) is rising to epidemic levels. Proper exercise accompanied with optimum nutrition is often found to be the answer. Many practitioners feel toxic metals, as well as food sensitivities drive or contribute to this very painful inflammatory problem. Laboratory testing can determine if this is a contributing factor. Diet is a key component to controlling this condition. COLITIS, DIVERTICULITIS and CROHN'S DISEASE Colitis, diverticulitis and Crohn's disease are all a result of modern lifestyles. These diseases are characterized by an inflammation and irritation of the large intestine. In Crohn's disease, the most serious of the three, an auto-immune reaction in the large intestine may ultimately atrophy and obstruct the bowel. Ulcerative colitis has its roots in bowel ecology and arises from improper balance of friendly bacteria. Diverticulitis is predisposed by constipation and poor bowel elimination. These diseases are products of stress or are often caused by allergies, individual vitamin deficiencies, and a diet deficient in roughage and containing too much sugar and refined carbohydrates. It is very important to understand the individual person's biochemical makeup so that the proper approach to treating these diseases can be determined. The treatment of bowel diseases varies considerably from person to person. It is also necessary to begin nutritionally treating these diseases as early as possible to avoid the possibility of rectal cancer or the surgical loss of the bowel. MALABSORPTION Nervous bowel, allergies, repeated bouts with antibiotics or chemical sensitivity could upset the delicate microorganism flora within the bowel. When this takes place, digestion and absorption are reduced. Opportunistic organisms such as yeast, mold, fungus or pathological bacteria can ferment foods before they can be carried into body tissues causing what is known as a “leaky gut.” Maximizing digestion and controlling populations of foreign microbes is often the best assurance of good absorption. Malabsorption of nutrients can ultimately lead to malnutrition even when eating healthy foods and taking nutritional supplements. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Multiple Sclerosis (MS) primarily affects people of Scandinavian or Western European descent. It afflicts individuals from northern climates and people who have lived on high amounts of animal products. While some investigators have identified exposure to heavy metal toxicity in individuals with MS, there are important direct links between diet and nutrition to this crippling and chronic degenerative disease. Often we find grossly altered digestion, absorption and elimination in the MS patient as well as overlooked food sensitivity that drive inflammation in the body. Heavy metal toxicity and food sensitivities should be identified and eliminated. The reduction in fats, the maximizing of oxygen tension and the optimization of all nutrients is essential when treating this problem. Can MS can be prevented. Immediate relatives of MS patients are encouraged to get a preventive screening and early preventive health advice. Links indicating viral damage to nerve myelin are also appearing and it is important to improve and maintain the health of the immune system. OBESITY How many times have you been told that if you just counted calories and ate less, then you would lose weight? This is not necessarily true. Obesity is the most obvious visible sign of chronic degenerative disease. An early sign of malnutrition is the swelling of tissue and the high rate of carbohydrate absorption with rapid conversion into fat for storage. The National Geographic photos of starving people in Africa show the large pendulous abdomens and skinny muscle deficient arms typical of children in impoverished countries. This is also common in our own country, but it is hidden by excessive adipose tissue (fat). The greatest energy crisis that exists is in human energy and productivity. When weight control is approached in a scientific and individual manner, you can achieve lasting success. Treatment incorporates food, exercise and behavior modification techniques. Some food craving are the result of a nutrient deficiency brought about by poor dietary choices. After determining your body's individual needs and metabolism, we customize our dietary program to your specific requirements. A simple daily log we provide assists us in managing your needs. Often, an initial detoxification program is recommended to assure that metabolic pathways are functioning appropriately. Some individuals enter this program after other more serious health problems are corrected such as kidney disorders, heart disorders, allergies and circulation problems. PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS Some of the psychological disorders we treat are neurosis, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. We accept these patients only when they are referred to us by psychologists or psychiatrists who are treating the patients. It is a common misconception that psychological disorders arise spontaneously in the mind. In fact, modern research has shown that they are often caused by biochemical imbalances in the brain. Metabolic Therapy can often help correct the disorder by restoring the biochemical balance. SKIN CONDITIONS Human skin receives the harshest treatment of any structure of the body. Different skin types are prone to different kinds of skin disorders. While eczema and dermatitis reactions to toxic chemicals is common, immune reactions to foods, additives, fabrics and dyes, water pollutants and neurological adaptations produce many similarly upsetting conditions. Parasites, insect or spider bites and contagious viruses create multiple rashes, itches, pain and discomfort within the skin. Many skin conditions are caused by introduction of organisms due to scratching the itch. Often, microscopic examination of hair roots, skin scrapings or body fluids, provide clues for proper treatment. Cultures can often help identify the specific organism. The orthodoxy is to stop the itch with application of an anti-inflammatory or steroid cream. If transient skin conditions return after using topical steroid creams, there should be further investigation in other factors such as food sensitivities. These can easily be tested and eliminated. We apply basic practice fundamentals to indentify functional elements that will assist the patient's healing and wellness. Basic questions must be addressed: Is the condition caused by nutritional deficiency? (e.g. magnesium, electrolyte, Bvitamin or essential fatty acid deficiency) Is the condition caused by something he/she needs to avoid (what is making it worse)? (e.g. wheat or milk allergy, processed carbohydrates, caffeine, etc.) Is the condition caused by internal toxicity? (e.g. cadmium or lead intoxication) Is there an underlying infection? (dental abscess, parasites, chronic viral infection) Is the condition caused by emotional or psychological issues or a core belief that impedes recovery? (e.g. excessive worry or stress, to the point it is detrimental. Knowingly eating the wrong foods even when you feel poorly afterwards, poor self esteem can cause a person to believe they are not worthy of wellness or success). Is there an interference field in the body's nervous, circulatory, or lymphatic systems which could be scars (emotional or physical), joint or tissue displacement from trauma, or geopathic items that are preventing healing/restoration, ? (e.g. a scar from an infection, trauma, burn, surgery or emotional event that has been imprinted into the autonomic nervous system, joint subluxation, fault lines, power lines, underground water streams. The initial patient assessment guides the application of these practice fundamentals. Certainly not every patient needs to emphasize every aspect of each of these practice fundamentals but the health practitioner must consider all of them if there is to be an optimal outcome. We encourage our patients to be open and truthful about their lives even if some component of their life may not seem to be relative or significant to their complaints or findings. Application of practice fundamentals requires: Avoidance Nourishment Remove interference Reduce joint or tissue displacement. Neutralize or remove geopathic items such as electric motors (don't place furniture for sitting next to electric motors, computer monitors or television sets that use CRT (cathode ray tube). Remove allergens such as mold form home or work environment. Internal detoxification. Remove toxins from home or work environment (e.g. lead paint, exterior paint containing mercury from interior surfaces, removal of dental amalgams. Reduce toxic scar formation. These fundamentals require an evaluation of the body's functional components and application of a treatment plan to solve the underlying cause of the problem. Toxicity Evaluation: If there are toxic metals in your body, they can interfere with fundamental function of the body's systems. Many metals like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and others are very important nutrients for normal and healthy bodily function. They provide structural components for cells and tissues such as calcium and magnesium create part of the cell wall, copper creates part of collagen structure, iron creates part of the structure of hemoglobin, zinc creates a part of DNA binding proteins. Each of these metals also play very important roles in chemical reactions such as the manufacture of ATP, the fundamental energy currency of most living organisms; the recycling of antioxidants to prevent cellular damage by free radical materials, the manufacture and activation of enzymes, the activation of ion channels in cell membranes and many others. Unfortunately, if in excess these metals can also become toxic and actually inhibit the processes they are supposed to support. They can also inhibit or block other metals from doing their job. Excess iron blocking copper and manganese, calcium blocking potassium are typical examples. Balance is the key for all nutrient metals. On the other hand, there are metals that do not generally play any nutritive role in our health or bodily function. These are usually considered toxic metals and include lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, uranium, antimony, nickel on occasion, as do titanium and tin. The major toxic metals are lead, arsenic, cadmium mercury and aluminum. These toxic metals play no known nutritive role in human and animal health, but they play significant roles in human and animal dis-ease. These metals directly damage biochemical reactions, displace nutritive metals, inhibit enzyme function, injure tissue and create havoc in living processes. Toxic metals are an everyday part of life with the widespread dissemination of toxic metals by government and industry in the environment, by mining operations, war debrix, wild fires, and natural disasters. The CDC does set threshold standards(supposed “safe” or “no action is needed” levels) for various metals leaving the impression that until the toxic metal level gets to that threshold level, no toxicity problems or adverse effects will be encountered. The standard practice procedure for evaluating metals is testing blood levels of various toxic metals, lead for example, noting whether or not the metal, lead in this case, is above threshold level, >10 microgram/deciliter in the case of lead. If it is not, the doctor does nothing and “believes” that none of the symptoms which the patient might be experiencing are related to lead. If the test value is above 10ug/dl the doctor deems this elevated and suggests lifestyle modifications and queries the patient to determine if this is acute exposure. The doctor makes this assumption largely because obvious, specific, smoking gun, acute learning disabilities in children are thought to not occur until 40 ug/dl. Little understanding is given to the fact that metal toxicity, lead in this case, is not an all or nothing problem. Lead exerts adverse effects on the nervous system in the parts per billion concentrations or 0.233 ug/dl BLLs. The CDC states that IQ scored are affected at 7ug/dl BLL or less. The best test to determine potential heavy metal burden is a stimulated metal test meaning that the patient takes an oral or IV chelating agent and then collects their urine for 8 to 24 hours sending it into the lab for evaluation of metal content. Interestingly enough, the December 1995 issue of Pediatric Annals in an article on pesticides in children, states that unprovoked heavy metal evaluation are of little or no value, yet, unprovoked tests (typical blood lead test) are the norm. The CDC states that venous blood levels of lead are the preferred test for recent or ongoing lead exposure, but not for past exposures. In fact, the CDC states that BLLs often under-represent the total body burden because most lead is stored in the bone and may have “normal” levels isn the blood. It is possible that patients with a high body burden under physiological stressful circumstances may show elevated BLLs from the release of lead stored in the bones. CDC stats show that the average child BLL ages 1-5 was 1.9 ug/dl in 2002, down from 15.0 ug/dl in 19761980 (before leaded gasoline was banned) The average adult 18-74 years of age BLL was 14.2 ug/dl from 1976-1980 dropping to 3.0 ug/dl in 1988-1991, again a reflection of leaded v. nonleaded gasoline emissions. Yet, the CDC states that if an adults BLL is 20ug/dl or more, “unusual exposure is likely occurring and should be interrupted, if possible, expecially for fertile and pregnant females.” Unfortunately, most doctors take this information and recommendations from CDC as absolutes and do nothing to address the subclinical and subtle clinical manifestations of toxic metal poisoning. Common symptoms of acute lead poisoning are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, constipation, difficulty in sleeping, fatigue, moodiness, headache, joint or muscle aches, anemia and decreased sexual drive. More severe symptoms include damage to the nervous system, including wrist or foot drop, tremors, and convulsions or seizures. Chronic lead poisoning may result after leas ha accumulated over time. Long after exposure has ceased, some physiological event such as illness, pregnancy, stress may release this stored lead from the bone and produce adverse effects such as impaired hemoglobin synthesis, central and peripheral nervous system function, hypertension, reproductive problems and damage to the developing fetus. (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/grants/Florida/LSGuide4-01%5B1%5D.pdf Landrigan, 1989) Consider for a moment a dripping faucet in your house. If you watch it you see a drip, drip, drip and think that it is not much water so I don’t need to fix the faucet. Over the course of several months, you notice that your electric and water bills have increased. The accumulation of drops of water add up to a significant amount of water over time. This is the same with toxic metals in our bodies. Think for a moment the blood levels of lead noted by CDC for people during the period when we used leaded gasoline in all automobiles. For some people this equated to decades of lead accumulation by the drip, drip, drip method. Now that these people are in their senior years experiencing fatigue, memory loss, coordination problems, decreased libido and other symptoms, they are told just mean they are getting older. Though they are getting older, these symptoms are not necessarily due to aging, in fact should not be. We must consider the resurfacing of the stored lead or other metals. People living in the Great Lakes region are breathing mercury with every breath of air they take in. This accumulates over time and resurfaces as kidney, liver, heart and nervous system problems just like the lead can. Some people have both lead and mercury accumulation in the body. It is the same consideration regarding arsenic , cadmium, aluminum or other toxic metal. Key to this discussion is the reality that research suggests that there is really no “safe” level of toxic metals. Any amount of toxic metal affects the body. It simply depends upon how much each individual can tolerate before they have functional consequence. This varies with other metal stressors, nutrition, diet, lifestyle and medications. These toxic metals in and of themselves stress the body, especially the immune system and nervous system. Toxic metals are a component or consideration in every new patient evaluation we do. It may not be the primary issue causing the patient’s primary complaint, but it frequently is a contributing factor in the patient’s recovery from the primary complaint. METABOLIC EVALUATION We use sophisticated state-of-the-art testing in evaluating your condition so we can understand your metabolic requirements. Metabolism is the sum of all biochemical process occurring in the body. some processes are building new tissue while other processes are eliminating old tissue. Some individuals have higher efficiency while others are not as efficient. Investigation is to determine whether the functional needs of your body are being met - particularly the immune system. We must determine the quality of you diet, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination as well as a physical examination. A healthy metabolism requires a correct quantity and quality of nutrients in the diet as well as digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination: Diet Our metabolic evaluation begins with analysis or your diet. We need to determine total calories, grams of protein, total fats, polyunsaturated fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin A, thiamine (Vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and copper. The diet analysis also shows the number of servings of foods from the various food groups and the number of teaspoons of "hidden" sugar contained in the food you have eaten. Diet is the first step in the metabolic evaluation because it is something we have control of. We are all on a “diet” because we all “choose” foods to eat from the many thousands of foods that are available to us. We, alone, are responsible for our diet and nutrition. Information and education makes healthier diets possible. Nourishment differs from nutrition because there is the not only implication of effectiveness of the nutrient but also the subtle bioenergetics component that nourishment provides even when nutrition may not. Nutrients need to be in a bio-available form. Ions or molecules need to be able to be transported into the cells transport channels. Very subtle and often neglected factors by many nutritional product manufacturers can make the difference in healthful nourishment and merely nutritional components that are poorly utilized or have to be converted by the body to provide life support. Nutrients are the names given to minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, fats, proteins and carbohydrates for purposes of identifying and discussing them. Nutrients are items needed by every living organism for nourishment necessary for growth and development, detoxification, immune function, healing and reproduction. Standard dietetics classifies nutrients as fats, proteins and carbohydrates and assesses diets for “nutritional value” based upon these three categories. Nutrients, however, do not necessarily constitute nourishment. Nourishment assumes the progressive gain in desired function of the organism from the nutrients given. In other words, if a person takes calcium, a nutrient, the nourishment value of that product is determined by the chemical complex of the calcium, how appropriate it is for that individual and most importantly the “calcium” result in the body from taking that particular calcium supplement. Further, if a person takes a food product or supplement to supply them with a specific nutrient, for example lycopene, the nourishing value of that lycopene is determined by the biochemistry of the lycopene and the biological compounds in which the lycopene may be found. In other words, is the lycopene usable by the body. Presence of lycopene in a food or supplement does not guarantee fulfillment of lycopene benefits. A specific example may help explain the importance of this issue. Let’s say a person is deficient is vitamin B6, so they take 150mg capsule of pyridoxine HCL per day. This is the standard over the counter B6 supplement. This person may have elevated homocysteine, may be anemic perhaps from primary sideroblastic anemia caused possibly by lead, alcohol or zinc poisoning, drugs such as isoniazid for TB. This person may have sickle cell anemia or have been taking chloramphenicol antibiotic, suffering from copper deficiency or simply B6 deficiency from a deficient diet. Since B6 is needed to complete heme, anemia occurs when B6 is compromised. This person may be suffering from PMS symptoms (B6 is needed to make neurotransmitters) or kidney problems from aminoglycoside antibiotic (neomycin, streptomycin, etc). Typically people with B6 deficiency will exhibit a seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption, atrophic glossitis (pain, redness, inflammation of the tongue) with ulceration, inflammation of the angle of the mouth and lips, conjunctivitis (inflammation of eye lids), inflammation/irritation of any skin folds, and neurologic symptoms of somnolence, confusion, and neuropathy. Seizures could also be a symptom of B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 is a co-factor for glutamic acid decarboxylase, an enzyme that converts Glutamate to GABA. Therefore, the concurrent increase in the excitatory neurotransmitter, Glutamate, and decrease in inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, due to B6 deficiency could result in seizures. In another example differentiating nutrient from nourishment, Labadarios, et al found that where there was impaired liver function, only 33 percent of patients showed improved blood levels of P-5-P (pyrodoxyl-5-phosphate, the active, usable form of B6 in the body) when given pyridoxine HCL (standard B6) supplementation while 100 percent of patients showed improved blood levels when given P-5-P. (Labadarios D, Rossouw JE, McConnell JB, et al. Vitamin B6 deficiency in chronic liver disease – evidence for increased degradation of pyridoxal-5phosphate. Gut 1977;18:23-27.) In other words, even though our patient in question is taking 150 mg of supplemental “B6” they may not be getting much benefit toward resolving their actual B6 deficiency. P-5-P is the bioactive form of B6 and the only form used by the body for nitrogen, amino acid and protein metabolism and heme manufacturing. The same applies to a number of nutrients taken as supplements. They must be converted by the body into active forms. B12 given as cyanocobalamin must be converted to hydroxy or methylcobalamin, beta carotene must be converted to vitamin A, etc. Many nutrients are taken into the body in a form that is absolutely worthless, even toxic to the body. When vitamins are manufactured in the lab, they form the bioactive form, usually the lform and the non-bioactive form, usually the d- form in solution. Better companies only count the bioactive form in their claim of potency or actually remove the non-bioactive form, while other companies claim both or actually sell products solely with non-bioactive forms at bargain basement prices leading the public to believe they are getting a given potency of nutrient for a great price. They may be getting nutrient, but not nourishment. Living systems, our bodies included, are very particular about the biochemistry, structural integrity and subsequent bioelectrical (bioenergy) characteristics of nutrients taken into the body. Ultimately, nourishment is about cellular communications and the transference of information and energy around the cell and between cells. Without this there is life force decline and cellular death. When the body takes in nutrients such as pyrodixine HCL, it must first convert this to pyridoxyl5-5phosphate before its benefit is had by the body. This conversion requires several other additional nutrients and energy. In some cases, the body in not equipped to convert nonbioactive nutrients to bio-active forms. This is the case with trans-fats. The body needs the correct fats to make cell membranes, fat soluble vitamins, steroid hormones and nerve cells. There is no conversion system in our body though that will convert trans-fats to omega 3, 6, 9 usable fats. Consequently, the body takes these trans-fats, if nothing else is available and puts them into slots that would normally require the appropriate omega fats. This results in leaky cell membranes and aberrant biochemical functions. A recent study regarding regeneration of brain cells was done with laboratory mice where it was observed if mice with damaged brain cells generated stem cells that became neurons if the mice remained in a stress free environment for 21 days. If trans fats were introduced into the diet during this period of time the stem where destroyed. Another example of nutrients not providing nourishment is in the case of genetically engineered crops. The most common today are corn and soybeans in the American food chain. Though our body can digest and utilize the nutrient components from standard corn and soybeans, genetically engineered versions have foreign protein sequences that, like fingerprints, don’t match what our digestive and metabolic systems recognize as nourishment. Every animal and human study has shown significant inflammatory responses to genetically manipulated crops. The immune system’s recognition of “foreign” materials is at the bioelectrical level of recognition, perhaps analogous to a voice print, more crudely a fingerprint. In the case of such “foods”, nutrient value does not correspond to nourishment. Nutrient measurement is mostly about raw chemistry corresponding to quantity of generic fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. There is no consideration for the integrity of the sources of such nutrients, the bioactivity of said nutrients and certainly no consideration for the bioelectrical integrity of said nutrients. Nourishment implies there is a healthy outcome from the addition of nutrients. If it is positive, rebuilding, regenerative, rejuvenating and healing, then it is the process we seek for our patients. We are particular about the nutrients we recommend, the sources from which they come, the context in which they are given. We seek results, not just arbitrary protocols of the cheapest nutrients money can buy. Food quality is an important factor in the nourishment value of food and the foundation in any healing and maintenance program. Comprehensive nourishment for healing cannot be entirely achieved with supplementation alone. Quality, nourishing food must be included in the plan. Most people think of food quality in the context of “locally grown”, “fresh”, “organic” or “blemish free” when these are merely procedural labeling. Food quality is really about nourishment value. Nourishment value is linked directly to balanced nutrient density of the food reflected in the brix value of the food (refractometer reading measuring total dissolved solids and sugars), the ORAC value (antioxidant density) and the mineral content. As these three categories improve, the nourishing value of the food improve. An added benefit is that as these nourishing parameters increase in the food crop, the residue of pesticides, heavy metals, pathogens and undesirables declines, not because of “organic procedure” rather because of appropriate biochemistry. Healthy plants are not susceptible to disease organism nor the accumulation of toxins just as a healthy person is not susceptible to these things. Think for a moment: does every person exposed to the flu get the flu? Does every person exposed to lead or mercury, accumulate that toxic metal in their tissue? Does every person exposed to a pesticide accumulate that pesticide in their tissue? The answer is no to each of these questions. Further, once accumulated in the tissue, is it possible for the body to rid itself of these toxins? Yes, it is with proper nourishment and subsequent detoxification. The body's ability to rid itself of disease, toxicity, infection and illness depends on not just nutrients but rather nourishment. It cannot be stressed enough that there is no single diet or nutritional agent that fits everyone. Your biochemical individuality must be taken into account. There are many considerations based autonomic nervous system balance, glucose oxidation efficiency, glandular dominance, ethnic heritage, etc. that guide our recommendations for nourishment. DIGESTION Poor digestion is the underlying cause of a multitude of health problems. The ability of the stomach to produce digestive hydrochloric acid can be measured. The pancreatic enzymes can also be analyzed. With this knowledge proper supplementation can be prescribed to aid in digestion. Again the choice is yours take a digestive aid or take Alka Seltzer, Di-Gel, Maalox, Tagamet, etc. Improving digestion is the preferable way to obtain relief from gastric upset. Not only can taking medication for relief cover up symptoms of a more serious problem, but toxic heavy metals are contained in some antacids which contribute to other problems in the body. Some medication cause the stomach to dump it's partially digested contents into the intestine where the proteins putrify and cause colon irritation and a smelly rotten-egg odor to gastric gas. ABSORPTION Absorption is the next step in metabolic evaluation. The many allergies that plague people in modern times are a sign that substances foreign to the body have been absorbed. Dr. Frances Pottinger, Jr. is a noted allergist in San Diego. He states that by the year 2000, every man woman and child will have allergies in this country. What are allergies? What is the mechanism? Food allergies are due to an irritation and activation of mast cells found in the digestive tract during the process of absorption. This is often due to the inability to adequately digest and absorb nutrients before they are acted upon by unfriendly organisms that often accompany food. Malabsorption is the underlying cause for a whole host of allergic symptoms including diarrhea, skin rashes, sneezing, watering eyes, rapid heart rate, headaches, muscle aches and pains, and many other symptoms. Understanding how absorption takes place and minimizing our stress can give us all a greater magnitude of vibrant health. ASSIMILATION Once nutrients are absorbed into the body, individual cells begin their process of making energy, enzymes, hormones and structures needed for optimum health. The intracellular biochemistry of nutrition addresses how genetics, environment and lifestyle complete the assimilation of food components into living and healthy cells, tissues, organs and systems. Proper assimilation guarantees optimum health of the whole organism. Sunnyside recommends factors such as exercise and rest along with proper nutrition to maximize individual assimilation. ELIMINATION The evaluation of elimination provides the next aspect of our metabolic investigation. Proper bowel, kidney, lung and skin function is necessary to excrete toxicity from the body. A person in a hospital will often be allowed to lie in a bed for three to five days without having a bowel movement before the cheerful nurse administers an enema to evacuate the last 12 to 18 inches of the colon. Then the person will be allowed to go another three to five days before the procedure is repeated. When asked what constitutes regular bowel movements, the average physician will say "It is unique to you, once a day or once a week, if you're comfortable, it is adequate." Low-fiber and low-roughage diets has caused a great reduction in the frequency of normal healthy bowel movements. This situation leads to a whole host of auto-toxicity reactions that are now being found to relate to such problems as rheumatoid arthritis, certain forms of cancer and even learning disabilities in children. Bowel elimination in nature occurs after every feeding. Three meals a day should be followed by three healthy bowel movements within one to two hours after the meal. The transit time of food through the digestive tract should be no longer than twelve hours. This is adequate for all digestion and absorption to take place in a healthy digestive tract. We use special questionnaires that have been developed to learn about your habits, lifestyle, food choices, known reactions after eating certain foods, bowel habits and elimination all constitute your own unique fingerprint in assessing health problems. These dietary changes that are individually determined can have interference or resistance by an individual’s family. Some individual have difficulty making dietary changes because a spouse has different needs or is not supportive of change. We can assist with dietary assessment for the whole family to develop a compatible dietary program the whole family can participate in whether it be menu planning, shopping for foods, or food preparation. To assess metabolism an examination must be performed: Metabolic evaluation also requires a physical examination. We need to do more than merle tap on your back, listen to your heart, look in your throat, and rush you out the door. We are concerned how we can assist you with the reason you came to see us. You were not directed to us by your managed care provider. You made an effort and a commitment when you made the decision to come consult our clinic. The examination that is required to do that can take some time to adequately assess nutritional status as well as optimum function of each organ and system by no-invasive techniques. Indicated testing and measurements are made in five areas and then integrated into the examination: History and health habits We evaluate sleep habits, stress and adaptation, exercise level, previous illnesses, previous surgeries, past and current medication, effects of drugs on vitamin and mineral status, etc. Physical Examination Data needs to be collected: height and weight, body temperature, skin, hair, nails, skull and cranial distortion, visual acuity and eye exam, ears, sinuses, nose and throat, teeth and TMJ, neck musculature and glands, percent body fat, blood pressure comparisons (lying down and standing), pulse rate, heart sounds and rhythm, EKG, lung function, and vital capacity, abdominal palpation and digestive sound. Neurological Examination The elements of a neurological exam include: cranial nerves, cerebella function, superficial skin sensation, deep tendon reflexes, muscle strength, hand grip strength. Orthopedic Examination An orthopedic examination includes: postural examination, leg length determination, range of motion assessment, motion palpation of spinal segments, straight leg raising test, spinous process percussion test, inspection and palpation of spinal musculature, as well as indicated correlative differential testing maneuvers. Dietary Patterns Your eating habits, water consumption, bowel habits, and urinary habits can reveal important clues to assist in understanding changes that are necessary. Laboratory analysis provides a window into the body's functional biochemistry. Routine as well as comprehensive blood and urine analyses are coupled with specialized techniques in evaluating mineral levels in hair and body fluids. Many of the test may be done locally but we utilize select laboratories in other states to perform some specialized testing. The level of testing is needed, is indicated by the complaints and information gathered by the examination. Some individuals have come to us because they have learned offer a particular testing procedure. While this is possible, there is a duty and responsibility to the patient that we provide a basic, usual and customary care that prudency dictates to avoid overlooking hidden problems. It has been our experience that a person will usually require at the least a basic prevention laboratory evaluation. Many patients have this done by their primary care provider, through there managed care plan. If it has not been performed, the patient may return to their provider for routine analysis or we will prescribe the testing for you. The reasons for the testing will be explained at the time of the examination. The routine analysis is designed to provide preventive advice to people who have no real health problems, yet want information on proper supplementation for more optimum health and the prevention of disease. Often there is a familial disorder (diabetes, MS, prostate cancer, etc.), which the individual wants to prevent. We make specific nutritional recommendations based upon the individual's age, sex, body type and physical activity. Basic services provided to evaluate this individual include a blood chemistry screening profile, a complete blood count with a differential count, a blood sedimentation rate analysis, a routine urinalysis. A metabolic health survey questionnaire is utilized to evaluate an individual's lifestyle, daily habits, and a symptom frequency and a subclinical symptom questionnaire that assess responses to daily living requirements. Additional tests may be requested at the time of evaluation. Copies of laboratory analysis will be provided to the individual at the following visit which is a consultation to go over the laboratory information, and to answer any questions you have and to start you on your optimum health and wellness program. Some patients have a specific focused or well defined need. The basic assessment is still necessary to make sure there is not a hidden problem that a routine examination would reveal. If you are not under a physicians care we can make that assessment or refer you to a primary care physician. We are not primary care physicians. We do not have hospital privilege nor can we admit you if you have a condition that requires hospitalization. Most people have a managed care plan that directs them to a primary care provider. If your condition does not require medication from a primary care provider and you are seeking diet therapy and want specific supplementation recommendations regarding specific or focused concerns we will provide focused diagnostic procedures and the indicated care to help you attain the level of relief you are seeking. We utilize specialized laboratories that provide functional analysis, specialized immunological testing, toxicology and elemental analysis for environmental testing and mineral assessment, as well as other indicated examinations. The are also very detailed, focused questionnaires used in the process. People who have early or moderate level of degenerative disease require a comprehensive level of analysis. A comprehensive stool analysis, an adrenal stress profile measuring adaptation hormone levels, a blood chemistry screen profile, food sensitivity or allergy testing, complete blood count with a differential count, a blood sedimentation rate and analysis, a routine urinalysis, a trace mineral analysis of the hair, other specific laboratory tests a seven-day diet analysis, a metabolic systems health survey questionnaire and a report on the interpretation of your laboratory results and metabolic system health survey questionnaire. It is necessary to have several consultations to go over these findings and recommendations. If you are under the care of a primary provider and have early or moderate degenerative disease want to supplement their care with alternative and/or complimentary care, we coordinate testing with the patient's primary provider as well as the order the specialized testing that may not be provided or covered under the patient's managed care plan. Since these cost may be higher than routine testing procedure, we have either negotiated reduced laboratory fees for our patients or have passed on our reduced wholesale fee directly to the patient. The law in California does not allow physicians to mark up laboratory cost to a patient. We do not mark up or receive financial compensation in any way from the laboratories we utilize. The financial obligation is between the laboratory and our patient. A more complete metabolic evaluation is required for those people with exceptionally complicated problems of long duration or some diagnosed condition that has not responded to orthodox therapies. It is our that if the condition is potentially life-threatening, we do not accept the responsibility of being the primary treating physician. This is done since we do not admit patients into hospitals to treat persons who are on life support. Our role is to provide biochemical and metabolic guidance to augment treatment by your primary physician. If your case is complex it can require case research of any and all records, adrenal stress profiles including cortisol and DHEA as well as hormonal studies, toxicology and trace mineral analysis, as well as specific functional and metabolic testing. Those persons with difficult or complex cases, or that needing a complete metabolic evaluation usually have need for special therapies and usually schedule one or two extra weeks for these services. It is important to have a discharge consultation to summarize your future needs and to make recommendation for diet, lifestyle changes and dietary supplementation. It is also a time for answering any question you may have regarding your program. A schedule for retesting or future care will be made at that time. It is difficult to classify people with unique individual needs into practice guidelines and costing. Cost of care guidelines can be discussed after the initial evaluation. If you have special financial needs, the time to discuss them is at your first visit. If you have a unique circumstance that require an unusual level of evaluation or care let our staff know so we can work with you at your initial consultation to make joint decisions about what level of care is most appropriate for your present health condition. Each person's condition varies, therefore the cost varies accordingly. We use therapies that work with the body's own recuperative powers instead of working against the body's natural healing process. Therapies that may be necessary depending upon your particular condition include: Avoidance Counseling, Diet and nutritional counseling, Metabolic support, chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, relaxation and exercise counseling, as well as counseling for social and lifestyle stress control. Avoidance There are two types of avoidance in a practical sense. The first is absolute avoidance and the second is relative avoidance. The difference falls into the mechanism by which your reaction occurs. On an immune basis, absolute avoidance is necessary because only a small amount of an allergen or antigen will instigate a reaction. The second is a metabolic effect. If a food cannot go through the normal metabolic pathway or complete the normal pathway intermediate products can be produced that interfere with absorption of vital nutrients or even cause toxic illness by preventing normal elimination of byproducts of metabolism. A small amount of acid-producing food may be tolerated in the presence of adequate buffers. Determining what to avoid can be difficult without doing selected laboratory testing. Your blood type (O, A, B, or AB) may play a role. Your blood type is a genetically determined characteristic of your immune system that affects your response to viruses, bacteria, chemicals, foods, and stress. Persons with blood type "A" carry the "A" component (called an antigen) on their red blood cells just as "B" blood types carry "B" antigen. Persons with blood type "A" have antibodies against "B" blood components while blood type "B" persons have antibodies against "A" blood components. Many foods contain "lectins" similar to the "A" or "B" components/antigens on red blood cells. As a result, certain foods can trigger the anti-A or anti-B effect on the immune system just as when a transfusion of the wrong type of blood occurs. For example, milk has a B-like antigen that, if exposed to the immune system of an "A" blood type person, will cause an anti-B reaction. The word lectin is derived from the Latin verb "to choose." Lectins are defined as molecules of non-immune origin that bind to specific carbohydrate receptors with high affinity. In the laboratory tests, lectins behave very similar to antibodies. In fact, lectins (PHA, Con A, PWM, etc) are used in immunodiagnostic studies to determine cell-mediated competence. Lectins bind to virtually any cell in the body and most enzymes and thereby alter their antigenic composition and thus the immune system's recognition of the cell or protein. It is known that 95% of the food lectins we eat are not absorbed into the body and are either digested as a nourishing food or are excreted. Most lectins are destroyed by cooking, but some such as lectins in wheat, maize, bananas, and carrots not only survive cooking but may be enhance by it. Five percent, however, are absorbed into the blood stream and become attached to cellular receptors, which then become targets for the immune system to attack, just as if the wrong blood serotype is transfused. The resulting autoimmune reaction may involve virtually any organ system in the body. Because lectins bind for very long time and they bind to tissues with very slow turnover they have been used to produce animal models of chronic rheumatoid arthritis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, malabsorption of B12, and acute enteritis. Most of the famous lectins are derived from grains, legumes, and tubers. For example, gluten is a lectin that has been associated with celiac disease. Over 100 common foods have been shown to carry lectins, but the list is growing. According to the work of Peter D'Adamo, in general, type "A" individuals are predisposed to heart disease (Br Heart J 1968;30: 377-82), cancer, diabetes, and tend to have lower stomach acid, and therefore difficulty digesting meat and processed foods. D'Adamo writes that in general, Type A's should minimize meat in their diet, especially fatty meats and processed meats such as cold cuts, ham, bacon, etc. Type "A" blood reacts to the sugar in milk as well as tomatoes, potatoes, yams, mangoes, oranges, papayas, and cauliflower. Type "O" individuals have a higher incidence of stroke compared to blood type "A" individuals. However, a hospital autopsy studies show that the age at death is much later for "O" blood types versus "A" blood types. The foods most problematic for the "O" blood type are wheat, corn, oranges, and oats. The basis for D'Adamo's work has been questioned, but "a try it and see" approach can be very rewarding for some individuals. Avoiding toxic relationships, environments, and chemical agents are also important. We advocate the use of nutrition, avoidance, lifestyle changes and other non-invasive therapies in the treatment of chronic degenerative disease. However if neurological paralysis is apparent during an examination and you have not seen your primary care provider for this condition, we will insist at the very least you have a surgical consultation. If a life threatening condition is discovered you will be returned to your primary care provider or directed to the proper medical specialty. Our mission is to not only to care for your needs that brought you to our office but to teach and inform you so you can make better choices and be more in control of your health care. We have placed many articles on healing and wellness care on our associated websites: Opithealthguide.com Healing and Wellness information about: Diet and Nutrition, Environmental Health, Public Health, Lifestyle, Exercise and Fitness, Hygiene, Technology, Dental Care. Vortextherapeutics.com Subtle energies for healing and wellness. Agrimedical.com Agriculture technology for healing and wellness. Financial Policy Our fee schedule is available upon request. Before inquiring about average cost, first ask yourself are you are an average patient. Everyone is unique with individual concerns. We can provide you with a fee schedule and usually and customary guidelines. Your need may vary from average. As a free service to our patients, we are able to provide a statement containing the information needed by the insurance industry. You can submit this form to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please realize there are three important things regarding our policy regarding insurance: 1. True “health insurance” is prevention. Prepaid “sick-care insurance” seldom pays for everything or covers everything. Many insurance programs consider our treatment as “preventive or experimental,” however other companies see our alternative methods less expensive and often more effective. At the present time, very few companies will pay these bills completely. Some type of copayment or deductible amount must be met. The insurance policy is usually a partial financial help. Our treatments, on the other hand, are usually just a fraction of the cost that you would have paid for orthodox hospital treatment. As a matter of fact, many patients have found that the cost of our treatment is about equal to the part they would have to pay for their surgical or medical therapies over the same period of time. 2. The usual hospital or medical approach to chronic degenerative disease keeps the patient on drugs and therapy to control the symptoms. Usually there is a great loss of productivity and time at work while the patient is undergoing orthodox therapy. In many instances this means considerable loss of income and separation from the details of the patient's job, home life or business. You should remember that our treatments not only decrease time loss in most cases, but there are no disabling side effects like those that characterize most drug treatments. For patients whose employment is in the local area, time loss is very small. Measured in dollars and cents, money can often be saved by our kind of service, even in cases where the average extent of medical and hospital costs would be paid by insurance. 3. A good share of our work is lifestyle correction, nutrition and diet counseling for complications and inadequacies suffered from delay or previous medical care. This fact, of course, points out the inherent dangers in choosing a method of treatment simply because the insurance policies pay for it. Whenever this happens, no money is saved, and suffering and trouble is usually extended. We cannot over-emphasize the fact that for so prized a possession as a person's health, preventive care that is directed to the cause usually incurs the least amount of time lost and the least chance of dangerous complications. Whether the insurance company will or will not pay the bill in whole or in part, should only be of secondary importance when considering a true health care program. Our reputation has been built by treating many patients after orthodox medical methods have failed. Remember, the major overall investment, which you will make in your health, is proper food selection, exercise, rest and nutritional supplementation. If you find an insurance company, which pays for these items, please let us know! Commitment Nutritional and lifestyle therapy is not for everyone. It takes a great deal of discipline to reverse years of poor health habits. If you want to be a passive recipient of a "miracle cure," you should look elsewhere. However, if you are motivated to change and want treatment that encourages and builds the body up rather than covering symptoms and tearing it down, you should know that alternatives are available. We have seen thousands of patients over the years in practice and have come to realize that not everyone is ready or able to accept the responsibility for their own health. It is our goal to help you understand the steps you must take for improved healing and recovery to take place when using a nutritional, metabolic, biochemical functional approach. Most of our patients have proven that health can be rebuilt using natural methods. Some chronic degenerative diseases may require as much as two to even five years to rebuild health. Complex problems do not arrive overnight and these do not resolve over night as well. If you discontinue your program as soon as you feel better, and return to your old bad habits, you will have a difficult time recovering. Location Our office is located off the 55 freeway in Santa Ana, California. We are one block from Western Medical Center and are conveniently with a few blocks of most supportive medical services. We have intersecting freeways that provide easy access in LA International and Orange County Airport. Many patients come for treatment from other states or other countries. The average length of stay is two to three weeks. We are convenient to many hotels. Our website uses Yahoo Maps to give you directions to our office. It is our sincere hope that more people will be able to achieve the degree of vibrant health they are capable of.