Halloween is tomorrow and the ghosts and ghouls will not end after October! One of the scariest treats that follows you through the holidays is candy. Candy is chock full of sugar and can have some spooky effects on your body if you’re not careful.

The American Heart Association (AHA) found that the average American consumes 22.2 teaspoons of sugar a day! That is three times more of the amount a single person should consume in a day.

The biggest contributor to excess sugar is hidden sugar. This is the sugar found in your cereal, bread, juices, soda and pasta sauces; it is not the obvious sugars like in candy and cake.

During the holiday months, we are overwhelmed with spooky treats and pay little attention to the effects of the excess sugar in our bodies, writing it off as a holiday treat. But this season, let’s pay close attention to those labels and help ourselves to more than just another serving.

Scary Side-Effects of Your Holiday Candy

Over indulging in candy this season and sweet holiday treats can have many consequences including:

  1. “Sugar High” – a short increase in energy and then a hard dive in your blood sugar level, leaving your body tired, unable to focus and anxious.
  2. Weight Gain – an increase in sugar intake can lead to a “muffin top”, excess fat in the wrong places on the body and is one of the leading causes in childhood obesity.
  3. Bacterial and Yeast Overgrowth – Ingesting sugar can cause intestinal dysbiosis or microbial overgrowth which can lead to inflammation, allergies, leaky gut and even autoimmune issues. On the other hand, decreasing your sugar intake can help you feel more energy and restore a healthy gut flora quickly.
  4. Type 2 Diabetes – By 2020, most likely half of the American population will be pre-diabetic or have diabetes. Eating too much sugar over a long period of time will cause insulin insensitivity issues which can even be life threatening.
  5. Tooth Decay and Cavities – We have all heard the horror stories of the effects of candy on our teeth but tooth decay is a serious issue among children and can be considerably reduced by limiting the amount of your sugar intake and good oral hygiene habits.
  6. Sleep Apnea – an increase of sugar in the body can cause nasal congestion and a swollen tongue, which can cause you to stop breathing for short amounts of time while you sleep. It reduces the amount of oxygen in your body, cause terrible fatigue and may have serious effects.

If you have any of these issues, reduce all types of sugars such as candy, bread and pastries, ice cream and desserts, “white food” such as white rice, potato, and flour, and alcohol, and start replacing it with whole foods with a low glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL).

Low GI/GL foods typically include fresh organic greens and vegetables, healthy oils, seeds and nuts, free range/hormone free beef, lamb, chicken and turkey, wild salmon, quinoa, sweet potato and avocados. Try working these low sugar, healthful foods into your holiday meals this season. Always double check labels and be sure to buy the freshest produce for your holiday meals by shopping at your local farmer’s market and organic grocery store!

Ask a hundred random people about deadly things we encounter in modern life and they might respond with answers such as violent crime, accidents involving guns, automobile crashes and heart attacks (among many other possible answers.) Most people probably would never think about the deadly killer that is all around us in virtually every part of the United States and every other developed nation. Toxic metals are found in the food we consume, pesticides and herbicides, kitchenware and accessories, building materials and even paint. We have been filling our environment and our bodies with deadly toxins for centuries yet little attention has been paid to these dangerous substances.

The biggest threats come from a relatively small number of toxic metals. There are six, in fact. These metals are

  • Mercury
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Nickel
  • Aluminum

As you probably know, many of these metals have been used in common items such as batteries to cooking pots and household appliances. Now for the scary part- many people all over the world are exposed to these toxic metals from seemingly innocent places like the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Here are some symptoms to look out for:

  • Numbness in the mouth, tongue and throat
  • Vomiting or severe nausea
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Difficulty breathing and/or irregular heart beat
  • Impaired motor, language or cognitive skills
  • Migraine type headaches

These symptoms indicate an acute exposure to toxic metals and should be addressed by your health care provider immediately.  Many of my patients find relief by using products such as Uber Greens, which you can find more information about here.

Chronic illness due to toxic metals is more difficult to diagnose because everyday millions of people deal with the exact same symptoms such as fatigue, foggy brain, joint pain, acid reflux, bloating, constipation insomnia, anxiety and depression. Ask your doctor to order blood, urine and/or hair analysis tests to further evaluate your body for possible exposure to toxic metals.

In my book The 7-Day Allergy Makeover, I go into detail about the dangers of toxic metals and how to avoid these poisons to prevent allergies and disease.

Here are some of the needle movers I recommend you to implement today:

  • Replace aluminum and stainless steel pots and pans with glass, enamel or ceramic cookware. Stainless steel pots and pans are made with nickel, which can cause a great deal of digestive and skin issues.
  • Use glass water bottles instead of steel canteens
  • Use porcelain, bamboo, or wooden utensils
  • Always use the recirculating air button while driving to prevent breathing in exhaust fumes and toxic metals such as mercury and lead.
  • Avoid aluminum based cosmetics and antiperspirants (increase risk of Alzheimer’s.)
  • Avoid flu shots and thimersol (mercury) based vaccines.
  • Check for lead based paint in your home and office.
  • Avoid and remove all silver dental fillings made of mercury
  • Use natural pesticides and insecticides such as rosemary and mint oil, instead of conventional chemical based pesticides, which are formulated with heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury.
  • Stop smoking and avoid second hand cigarette smoke- you are sucking down cadmium bombs!
  • Avoid eating “wide-mouthed” fish such as tuna, swordfish, bass, mahi mahi and shark and instead eat small wild caught fish such as sardines, anchovies, sable fish, sockeye salmon.
  • Organic is the best policy! Avoid conventionally grown produce, poultry and food. Chicken fed non-organic feed is contaminated with arsenic.
  • Drink purified water instead of tap water and avoid natural-spring water coming from granite rich land such as the Rocky and Sierra Mountains. Arsenic levels are high in granite rock.

We all need to be concerned about the toxic substances that are building up in our environment and potentially harming our children and our health. The toxic metals described above such as arsenic and mercury disrupt our energy output and nervous system, impair our senses, affect our children’s development and can even lead to cancer. We all need to work together to eliminate the use of these toxic materials but in the meantime we must make a strong effort to reduce our exposure to arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxic metals. We owe it to our children and ourselves!

 

Organic Green powderThis powerful green drink during allergy season can help your runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy eyes!

Shake Ingredients:

  • One Scoop of Organic Green powder
  • ½ teaspoon of Wellness For Life Nutraceuticals Vitamin C +
  • ½ teaspoon of Probiotics powder
  • ½ teaspoon of Organic Acai powder
  • 1 capsule of Wellness For Life Quercetin +
  • 12 oz of purified water

In a blender or magic bullet, pour in water, and all powder ingredients. Open up the capsule of Quercetin + into the mix. Blend well and drink on an empty stomach. Drink twice a day or as needed!

To order any of the ingredients, please stop by the office or call Frank, at 310-315-1514. All shake ingredients are 20% off through May 31st.

dll-collageSpring is here and it is time to start thinking about “Spring Cleaning” of our bodies and mind so that we can shed the toxins we accumulated in Winter and become our most brilliant and healthy self. That is why I am so excited to share with you my upcoming ALL-INCLUSIVE 3-day, 2 night weekend “Spring Cleaning” retreat happening at the Deer Lake Lodge on April 26th – 28th.  This very special 3-day retreat was designed with my clinic patients and online community in mind will be an exceptional opportunity to jump start your brilliance.

During this special “you” weekend, you will learn to tap into your inner strength and be brilliant so you can achieve your life goals and passions by improving your nutrition and lifestyle. My goal for the weekend is to provide specific, practical and easy-to-apply suggestions, which can improve your ability to reach your optimal potential in physical and mental health.

The Deer Lake Lodge is a unique wellness resort which specializes in cleanses and detoxification in a natural, sustainable setting. Their holistic approach addresses your mind, body and spirit. The Deer Lake Lodge is simply amazing in all that they offer their guests in complimentary classes, products, use of their equipment and so much more! Here is only a partial list of the many amenities that you will receive during your stay: daily cleanse program, organic robe and slippers, himalayan rock salt, organic juices, specialty teas for cleanses, supplements, yoga classes, nutrition and raw food classes.

dll-swimmingpoolDuring this 3 day, all about you weekend, you will learn:

  • About food allergies and how they contribute to inflammation; disease, and obesity;
  • Why sleep can be your best medicine and how to get more!;
  • How to recalibrate your “Bio-Rhythms of Life” to increase energy, vitality, lose weight and increase lifespan;
  • 7 foods to eat for energy, mental clarity and weight management;
  • How to prevent the three most common physical complaints of America- fatigue, indigestion, headache;
  • Why time management is key to your health and success.

And much more!

This amazing three day experience will help you revitalize your energy, stimulate your mind, bring out your brilliance and set you on a path for optimal health and personal success.

Click here to find out more now and to reserve your space. If you register before March 31st, you will save $500. Also, if you choose to come in early you can do so for just $200.

I would love to see you there!  Step into your brilliance and sign up today for a weekend all about you that will cleanse your mind, body and spirit so that you can be your most brilliant self.

Helping people live well and natural is my core focus. When I treat my patients I am sure to include every facet of their life into my treatment. I consult my patients to work out new recipes, when to rest and even new places to eat and vacation with the family. Living with allergies, aches and pains should not keep you from doing the things that you love for yourself and family.

I am happy to announce that I have just been mentioned in an article in Woman’s World magazine. The article is about helping women find time for themselves and using simple, at home remedies to detox the body through bathing and get into better health.

I am always willing to talk to new people to discuss ways for enhancing their life. Whether you have extreme allergies, an upset stomach, indigestion or just trouble sleeping I can find natural ways to improve your body and mind. If you have any comments, you can reach me through my website, facebook or twitter. Love to hear from you!

Learn proven methods on how you can break free from allergies and restore you and your family’s health. Asthma, migraines, arthritis, ulcers and obesity have all been linked to allergy. Fatigue, irritability, body aching, digestive problems, and other vague ailments are typical of allergy.

Join me Wednesday, September 19th,  2012 @ 8:00pm Eastern (NY) time. (5:00pm Pacific, 6:00pm Mountain, 7:00pm Central).

Registration is FREE Reserve your space right here: http://www.healthlady.com/tele-class/dr-susanne-bennett

Find Out:

  • How allergies relates to environmental factors, food additives, diet, digestion, body chemistry, addiction, yeast, molds, parasites and childhood illnesses-
  • Simple, effective day-by-day guides with specific “action items” so you know exactly what to do to eliminate your allergies.
  • How to change your diet and eliminate the worst allergy culprits.
  • Turning your home into a breathe-easy space

latex-powder-free-gloves

When you hear about a latex allergy, you might think it means a person is simply allergic to rubber. Common enough, right? However, if you have a latex allergy, it can also mean you are allergic to certain types of foods handled by rubber gloves, along with instruments used in a medical facility.  A reaction can occur even if you are not coming in direct contact with the rubber itself!

Latex is a natural rubber that comes from a tree in Brazil.  A latex allergy concerns the proteins found in the rubber that comes from the tree.  The protein found in the latex may cross-react with some foods, meaning if you have a latex allergy, there is a good chance you may also be sensitive to avocados, chestnuts, bananas, wheat, mangos, potatoes and tomatoes. Like most allergies, side effects include itchy eyes, a runny nose hives, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis shock.

The most common items that contain latex are balloons, rubber gloves, rubber bands, and erasers, some of which are everyday items. It is important to familiarize yourself with common latex products if you are latex allergy-prone and carefully read the labels before you bring items like this into your home.

Latex allergies can be inherited, so if you have any family members that are allergic, it is important to get your children tested with a skin or a blood test from your doctor. These allergies can also appear later in life due to long term exposure with the product. If you have any concerns about latex or foods that may interact with a latex allergy, check with your doctor or do a bit of your own research online or in the library.  You would be surprised to find how many ways latex can indirectly cause a reaction!

The term ‘bacteria’, does not sound like it would jive with the word ‘good’, but that is where probiotics step in. Probiotics are good bacteria that live in your intestines. They are involved in digestion as they help break down your food and help your body absorb the vitamins it craves. Probiotics are the opposite of antibiotics. They work for your body instead of against it.
Taking probiotics can help replace the good bacteria within your body and help fight against skin and food allergies. Lately allergies have been on the rise, and many researchers speculate that hyper-sterilization is the root cause. Using antibacterial soap, for instance, gel, or other cleaners obsessively, destroys all bacteria, good and bad, from our environment. This does not give the immune system an opportunity to strengthen itself and can become weak over time, especially in small children. Probiotics can help defeat these allergies, along with irregular digestion, plaque buildup, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and the most common skin allergy, eczema.
You can find probiotic supplements at the vitamin store or you can talk to your doctor to find the right bacteria for your body. You can also find probiotics in foods like non-dairy cultured yogurt (coconut, rice, soy), kimchi, miso, tempeh, and sauerkraut. Taking probiotics daily, or at least after taking antibiotics, is an effective way to maintain your health, both physically and mentally.

Many people today are developing allergies far into adulthood. Most people believe you have to be born with allergies, but you can actually develop allergies at any point during your life. It is possible for us to acquire more allergies as we grow with the more we are exposed to. Over exposure of any substance can cause an allergy!

A new finding suggests many people are gaining new allergies due to a lack of sleep. “Researchers claim that sleep shortage can contribute not just to ailments like diabetes or obesity but could also speed the risks of developing allergies and/or infections in the future.” Lack of sleep is caused by a multitude of reasons, stress, anxiety or a busy schedule. But these factors may in fact weaken your immune system, making you more likely to develop an allergy.

It is recommended that you sleep at least 6-8 hours each night. This may seem impossible with a busy schedule, but having enough rest will ensure a healthy body. Sleep contributes to many functions of the body, so not getting enough rest can affect your whole day, disrupting concentration, memory, appetite and of course your immune system. Try creating a good sleep schedule to fit your routine, and be sure to avoid heavy meals a few hours before sleeping , along with caffeinated beverages. We all know how demanding our schedules can often be, but it is important not to let your body suffer because of it!

References:

Many people are allergic to the dander that comes off of cats and dogs and avoid them altogether, but some do not mind a little sickness if they get to keep their furry companions. Most people actually choose to continue to live with their pets even after they find out they are allergic to them because most allergies to dander are non-life threatening and can be treated with over the counter medication.

I know how important animals can be to a family, so I have compiled a list of simple things you can do to make living with a pet easier, even if you are allergic to them. First off, it is important to remember that people with pet allergies are not allergic to the pet hair itself but to the oils and dander on the pet hair. Also that there is no such thing as a non-shedding dog or a breed that people are not allergic to–these are myths!

Pet Tips

▪ Create a pet-free area

▪ Clean your house often; this includes dusting and vacuuming

▪ Bathe your pets at least once a week

▪ Be sure that it is actually your pet that you are allergic to; take an allergy test and be sure that you are not allergic to something that your pet is bringing into your home from outside

▪ Try to keep a hairless pet; like a fish or a turtle

Animals bring in all types of things from outside that can get trapped on their fur and eventually settle into your home. Even if you are not allergic to your pet it is important to maintain a clean environment for you, your family, and your pets to live in. Try using a HEPA air system in your home to remove any air born allergens. I hope these tips help you and your pets live in perfect harmony or at least in a sneeze-free zone!

References:

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html

http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=63