Transformation Story

Fungi geneticist and mycologist Dr. Joan Bennett used to dismiss any connection between mold and ill health. Her views changed, however, when her New Orleans home became mold-ridden following Hurricane Katrina.

Two years ago Dr. Bennett went public with her transformation, as reported in this MedPage article from October 2008:

It was the smell of her Hurricane Katrina-damaged home that transformed fungi geneticist Joan Bennett, Ph.D., from a sick building syndrome skeptic into a believer.

Dr. Bennett, who had spent years studying the genetics of fungi, was so cynical about claims of sick buildings that she had even testified as an expert witness for insurance companies, heaping scorn on homeowners' claims about pathological mold and fungi.

But when Dr. Bennett stepped into her New Orleans home after the hurricane-driven floodwaters had receded from the brick and plaster structure, her dubious shell began to crack.

"The overwhelming obnoxiousness of the odor and of the enveloping air made me start to believe in something I never had before -- sick building syndrome," she said at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, held jointly with the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting.

Dr. Bennett's confession came during a press conference before a symposium on the links between human disease and molds.

Absent actual infection, such as athlete's foot, Dr. Bennett had thought fungi could not cause illness, especially the seemingly disparate sick buildings afflictions -- impotence, headaches, and hemorrhages.

Then came Katrina.

The hurricane left her home uninhabitable and many of her possessions had to be destroyed -- victims of the way fungi "eat."

"Fungi have a strange way of gaining nutrition," Dr. Bennett said. "They put enzymes and acids into the environment, they turn everything out there to slime, then they reabsorb it. They literally live in their food and in their waste."

That process, she now thinks, may release volatile organic compounds that can have an effect on human health.

"Perhaps what we're dealing with was not spores associated with fungi, but some volatile compound," suggested Dr. Bennett, who left Tulane University in New Orleans after the hurricane to work at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers.

Dr. Bennett is in the early stages of analyzing the fungi in New Orleans homes and then testing the biological effects of fungus-generated volatiles on worms.

In the long run, she hopes to understand -- with the help of animal models -- how fungi might affect the health of humans.

There are more than 3,000 volatile compounds produced by each individual fungus, making it difficult for researchers to pinpoint which fungus produces which volatile compound and what effect it might have on human health, said David Denning, M.D., of North Manchester General Hospital in Manchester, England.

"You've got multiple different fungi, multiple different chemicals, and different susceptibilities and symptoms to work there," Dr. Denning said. "It's quite a complex area."

Dr. Denning's own work, presented here, concerned a randomized clinical trial in which 60 severe asthma patients were treated with the antifungal medication itraconazole or given placebo.

He said the patients given the itraconazole had a "very significant benefit in quality of life," among 60% of the patients. They also relied on fewer steroids and inhalers to manage their asthma.

The reason for the success of the treatment, he suggested, is that some people are "hypersensitive" to fungi.

"These individuals are sensitized so we can detect an abnormal immune response, and those fungi seem to aggravate their asthma," he said.

This article can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

Top 10 Christmas Gifts for the Health-Conscious Cook

One thing I've learned this year is the value of good tools for culinary success. Thus, I've compiled a list of my favorite kitchen appliances/tools for healthy eating.

(All links are to Amazon.com for simplicity. Better prices may be found elsewhere.)

1. Food Dehydrator (approx. $190)

If I had to choose one appliance, it would be the food dehydrator. From beef jerky to herb drying, from fruit leathers to flax crackers, the versatility of the dehydrator is immeasurable. We dehydrate sprouted seeds, make kale chips, and use it to make yogurt. We even resurrected a moisture-ridden iPod with our dehydrator!

The Excalibur brand consistently has positive reviews. We have the 9-tray model, which works well for yogurt making, allowing plenty of room for tall mason jars. The ParaFlexx non-stick drying sheets are great to have as well.

2. Vitamix ($398-$498)

We use ours every day and have not even begun to explore the versatility of this appliance. It's a food processor, smoothie maker, flour grinder, and much more. We've used it to make nut butters, puree soups, and blend coconut milk. You can make a green juice by blending the greens and then straining through a nut milk bag. That may make Vitamix a better choice if you have to choose between a juicer and this product. Vitamix is extremely durable and easy to clean. Blendtec offers a similar product. The website Perfect Smoothie offers an interesting comparison of the two.

3. Juicer ($260-$480)

We began our juicing journey with a simple $40 juicer and had great success with it. When juicing became a regular habit we invested in the Green Star Juicer. This juicer has surpassed my expectations. There is very little waste with the Green Star, thanks to the twin gear technology. The twin gears make it safe to use and easy to reassemble. The Omega J8005 Juicer is more affordable ($260 as opposed to $480) and also gets great reviews.

4. Food Processor ($45-$170)

We use our food processor multiple times a day. A food processor cannot be beat for chopping vegetables. I can't imagine life without one! According to the website Consumer Search, the best budget food processor is the Hamilton Beach Chef Prep for less than $45. The best overall processor, according to reviewers, is the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus for approximately $170.

5. Immersion Blender ($30)

Our family uses this tool 20-30 times per day. It's great for pureeing individual portions of soup. I use it to dissolve yogurt starter into warm milk as well as mixing eggs for egg dishes. I can't imagine our kitchen without it.

6. Coffee Grinder ($18)

This tool is useful for grinding spices, seeds, nuts, and herbs. We have tried a variety of models. They seem to break easily. So far, this is our favorite.

7. Shovel ($8)

This is a great tool for scooping up chopped vegetables and transporting them from the cutting board to the pot. It can also be used for clearing up food debris.

8. Funnel ($8)

Mason jars abound in our kitchen, and this funnel makes the transfer of liquids a breeze. This is a must-have for making soup broths, transferring oils between containers, pouring kefirs, and more. Add a mesh strainer and you can filter as you transfer.

9. Knife  ($50-$300)

A dependable knife is critical. A chef's knife and paring knife make a good pair. Global is an outstanding brand. Other recommended brands include Wusthof and J.A. Henckels.

10. Fermentation Jar or Crock

Proper equipment is essential for fermentation. Consider the Harsch Crock, or a jar with an airlock for fermented vegetables. Pickl-It has an excellent selection of jar sizes. Fido jars work well for fruit chutneys, condiments, as well as cultured vegetables.



I took a risk last year and took a break from all our supplements. With the lack of insurance coverage and uncertainty that our compromised digestive systems were absorbing the nutrients, it made sense to try to get our nutritional boost from live, fresh foods. With the money we saved on supplements, I slowly bought each of these tools. I was intimidated with each new one. Most of them sat unopened for weeks.

Slowly I ventured into the new foods.

It's been a year of trial and error, but the experiment has more than paid for itself. We're slowly improving and enjoying more stable lives, thanks to nourishing foods.

As for me and Christmas, I'm hoping for the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Maker to make kefir ice cream. Either that or a week in Hawaii. With my dehydrator, of course.

Thanksgiving Musings

"O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." ~William Shakespeare

"Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart." ~Seneca

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." ~Izaak Walton

Thanksgiving Menu

The following are some highlights from our grain-free/sugar-free/fruit-free Thanksgiving dinner menu. If there's one thing I've learned in the last six months, it's that there are wonderful substitutions for our favorite foods.

Turkey Prepared with Cheesecloth
Soak a double layer of cheesecloth (enough to cover the turkey) in ghee or butter. Expeller-pressed coconut oil can also be used. (Expeller-pressed is a great cooking oil because of its neutral flavor. It truly doesn't taste like coconut!) Drape the cheesecloth over the bird. Baste occasionally and remove the cheesecloth one hour before taking the bird out of the oven.

Dressing
I'm using a recipe provided by pecanbread.com, which includes:

4 cups coarsely chopped peeled yellow onion
4 cups de-strung, coarsely chopped celery
2 cups almond flour
2 jumbo eggs
4-6 tablespoons poultry seasoning blend
2 teaspoons baking soda

Green Beans
Stir-fried in expeller-pressed coconut oil with garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and seasonings.

Mashed Cauliflower
Our oldest daughter has achieved a recipe that honestly tastes just like mashed potatoes!

Ingredients:
- At least 2 heads cauliflower, steamed until very soft
- Chicken broth
- Boiled chicken (can't have too much)
- Basil (dried is fine)
- A few garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- Salt and pepper

Steam cauliflower, then transfer into some chicken broth. Add garlic. Add boiled chicken and puree (we love our stick blender for this). Add basil and salt and pepper to taste.

Try to serve right away, but can keep in the oven to warm. Does not do well for leftovers.

Crustless, Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie
2 eggs
2 c. fresh cooked pumpkin or 1 can pumpkin
1/4 c. stevia or sweetener of choice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 2/3 c. coconut milk
1/4 c. sprouted almond flour or coconut flour

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Beat eggs slightly; beat in remaining ingredients. Place pie plate on oven rack; pour in filling. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake until knife comes out clean, approx. 45 minutes.

Pumpkin Muffins
12 eggs
1/2 c. coconut oil or ghee, melted
1 c. pumpkin puree or other squash puree
Stevia or other sweetener
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. coconut flour

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Beat eggs and add other wet ingredients. Combine and whisk until lumps are gone. Scoop into muffin tins and bake 15-20 minutes.

Homemade Peppermint Patties
Back by popular demand, our peppermint patty recipe from Halloween. We use carob, cacao, and stevia.

The Health Benefits of Bone Broth

With the holidays and flu season upon us, it's a great time to think about making homemade broth. The turkey carcass makes a great base for a healthy, rejuvenating stock. What are the health benefits of chicken/turkey/meat broth? According to the article The Benefits of Bone Broth found at the Nourished Kitchen website:

As the bones cook in water – especially if that water has been made slightly acidic by the inclusion of cider vinegar – minerals and other nutrients leach from the bones into the water. Homemade broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other trace minerals. The minerals in broth are easily absorbed by the body. Bone broth even contains glucosamine and chondroitin – which are thought to help mitigate the deleterious effects of arthritis and joint pain.

The key to nutritious meat stock is in the gelatin. In her book Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon writes:

Gelatin acts first and foremost as an aid to digestion and has been used successfully in the treatment of many intestinal disorders, including hyperacidity, colitis and Crohn's disease. Although gelatin is by no means a complete protein, containing only the amino acids arginine and glycine in large amounts, it acts as a protein sparer, allowing the body to more fully utilize the complete proteins that are taken in. Thus, gelatin-rich broths are a must for those who cannot afford large amounts of meat in their diets. Gelatin also seems to be of use in the treatment of many chronic disorders, including anemia and other diseases of the blood, diabetes, muscular dystrophy and even cancer.

Getting the broth to gel can be easier said than done. In my experience, beef stock made from knuckle and marrow bones gels easily. Chicken stock can be tricky. Stock made with chicken feet consistently offers a gelatin-rich broth. It is relatively simple provided you can buy the feet; I get mine from a local poultry farmer or Blackwing Quality Meats.

The following 10-minute video demonstrates the stock-making process (including the use of chicken feet).

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Recipe for Chicken Stock (excerpts from Nourishing Traditions)

1 whole free-range chicken or 2-3 pounds bony chicken parts
(Turkey carcass/bones can be easily substituted.)

Gizzards and/or feet (optional)

4 quarts cold filtered water
2 tbls vinegar
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 carrots peeled and coarsely chopped
2 celery sticks, coarsely chopped
1 bunch parsley

Place chicken or chicken pieces in a large stainless steel pot with water, vinegar and all vegetables except parsley. Let stand 30-60 minutes. Bring to a boil and remove scum that rises to the top. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 6-24 hours. About 10 minutes before finishing the stock, add parsley. Strain and refrigerate broth.

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Bone stock provides the foundation for the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet, which we have been following for the last six months. Drs. Brasco and Rubin offer a broth recipe in their book Restoring Your Digestive Health which includes chicken feet, coconut oil, ginger, and garlic. The Brasco broth recipe can be found here.

With its easy absorbability, great taste, and rich concentration of nutrients, meat stock makes a great medicine.

Mercury / Alzheimer's Link

On the heels of the ban on mercury fillings in Costa Mesa, California (see previous post) comes this news from The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

According to Business Wire:

Mercury likely plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a review of relevant scientific literature published this month in The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Joachim Mutter of Germany, Dr. Richard Deth of the United States, and other esteemed researchers collaborated on the groundbreaking article Does Inorganic Mercury Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Disease? A Systematic Review and an Integrated Molecular Mechanism, which clarifies the need for continuing research to understand the cause of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The authors of the review use numerous peer-reviewed studies to suggest that a genetic predisposition and exposure to a neurotoxin such as mercury have to co-exist for Alzheimer’s disease to manifest itself. Dr. Richard Deth, co-author and professor of neuro-pharmacology at Northeastern University in Boston, explains: "Since the brain is more vulnerable to oxidative stress than any other organ, it is not surprising that mercury, which promotes oxidative stress, is an important risk factor for brain disorders." Dr. Deth’s motto: “Mercury is bad for the brain.”

The research of the former chair of the University of Kentucky’s Chemistry Department, Dr. Boyd Haley, is congruent with Drs. Deth and Mutter’s findings. Dr. Haley, who has done research on the relationship between mercury and Alzheimer’s disease for more than twenty years, states: “Earlier research on the biochemical abnormalities of the Alzheimer’s Diseased (AD) brain showed that mercury, and only mercury, at very low levels induced the same biochemical abnormalities when added to normal human brain homogenates or in the brains of rats exposed to mercury vapor.”

Insofar as the genetic component, Haley contends: “The structure of the genetic risk protein for Alzheimer’s disease, called APO-E4, shows it has lost the ability to bind and remove mercury from the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that bathes the brain, when compared to the other forms of APO-E protein.”

Mercury has been the subject of controversy in various public health issues over the years, including its use in vaccines and dental amalgam fillings.

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark officially banned the use of mercury in dental fillings based on the Precautionary Principal, a protective doctrine requiring proof of safety -- a doctrine rejected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Prior to these bans, the World Health Organization reported in 1991 that mercury fillings, routinely described as silver fillings to the public, are by far the greatest contribution to mercury in the human body.

This December, the FDA is expected to review scientific literature pertaining to the harmful effects of placing mercury fillings into the body. Scientists and experts in the field will present testimony regarding the relationship between mercury toxicity and neurological diseases, with a special focus on vulnerable populations including children and the unborn. Dr. Haley will be among the scientists presenting.

Lamenting that Alzheimer’s has reached epidemic proportions, California’s first lady Maria Shriver, in a recent interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, vehemently expressed the need to find the cause of AD, expressing concern that AD “will bankrupt every family in this country.” The Alzheimer's Association estimates 172 billion dollars in annual costs to maintain AD patients, which makes it imperative for the cause of AD to be found.

Mutter and Deth’s research sheds strong light on the possible root of the sixth leading cause of death in America.

Dr. Matt Young, President of International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), an academy of dental, medical, and research professionals dedicated to safety in health care, which has held a continued focus on mercury’s effects, said, "Mercury must seriously be considered as a causal agent of Alzheimer's. It is imperative that the National Institute of Health fund realistic research regarding the mercury Alzheimer's connection, which heretofore has for the most part been ignored.

This article can be found by clicking here.

An All-Natural Crown

I colored my hair for the first time on my 40th birthday. I only had a few strands of gray, but it was a fun home experiment. I loved the new look and stayed with it for the next 10 years. My world began to crumble soon after my 50th birthday. So did my hair coloring habit.

One influential factor was the book Going Gray by Anne Kreamer. In it she documents her transformation from treated hair to all-natural. I was inspired by her story but resisted the idea. I told myself I couldn't do it, at least not at that point. Besides, my poor first grader couldn't be the only child in his class with a gray-haired mother.

By my 51st birthday our world was turned upside down. It was the year of our major exposure and most of that year was spent in doctors' offices, emergency rooms, and hospitals. My interest in maintaining my coloring habit waned.

I talked with my hair stylist about changing my color gradually. We agreed to do some lighter highlights to make the transition.

Two months after this decision we vacated our house. My world collapsed. My children were sick. I could find no medical help and I began to realize that I, too, was ill. I stopped seeing my stylist and let my hair go.

We moved to Arizona that winter, and after three months of house- and hotel-hopping we settled in a tiny three-bedroom house. Brushing my hair became a luxury; highlighting was out of the question. As reality set in and I understood that we were just beginning a very long recovery process, I cut my hair as short as possible. All the highlights were finally gone and only natural hair color remained.

I didn't like the new look, mostly because of the shortness of the cut. But the gray wasn't as unsettling as I thought it would be. My family was supportive.

I did love the new feeling of freedom. No more counting the days till the roots appeared again!

I bought a box of Henna, a natural, chemical-free hair color alternative, but decided to keep my new "carefree" life.

It's been two and half years since I took the plunge. Time enough to reflect on my goals.

Looking younger than my age is no longer one of them.

Not that I'm totally comfortable with the aging process. Nor have I conquered all of my appearance issues. But I am learning, ever so slowly and painfully, what really counts in life.

And it's not keeping my hair dark.

It's not possessions, either. Or wealth.

I like the perspective the book of Proverbs offers,

"Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31)

        Before                                             After

Historic Ban on Dental Amalgams

History was made in Costa Mesa, California recently when the City Council banned the use of mercury dental fillings. The resolution was sponsored by former Mayor and City Councilman Gary Monahan, who spoke adamantly against the use of mercury in amalgams, saying,

"We have an autistic child, and we believe it's a major cause of autism. There are so many alternatives and I can't understand why we're putting this in our mouth. It's just very dangerous for anybody to have these fillings."

The resolution:

(1) calls on federal and state agencies to eliminate amalgam,

(2) asks dentists in Costa Mesa to cease using mercury and switch to non-toxic alternatives, and

(3) requests that the other 33 cities in Orange County join Costa Mesa in opposing dental mercury.

Californians for Green Dentistry made the presentation, contending, “The mercury implanted into the teeth of unsuspecting patients ultimately ends up back in our environment: (1) in our water via dental clinic releases and household toilets; (2) in our air via cremation, sludge incineration, dental clinic emissions, and human respiration; and (3) in our land via landfills, burials, and fertilizer.”

Also among the speakers were Dr. James Rota and Dr. Chester Yokoyama, DDS, a former California Dental Examiners Board member. When asked by the mayor of Costa Mesa why dentists are hesitant to switch to non-mercury fillings, Dr. Rota responded, “Dentists were taught in school that when you mix silver, tin, zinc and copper with mercury, you have an inert, stable mass. However, new technology now reveals that this isn’t true. But we didn’t know that then.”

Dr. Rota went on to say that the diseases which result from the mercury toxicity are not diagnosed by the dentist. They are diagnosed by the physician. Except in acute toxicity cases, when a patient has a conventional blood or urine test, chronic mercury will not be found, as it is trapped in the tissues and not detected in blood or urine. It wasn’t until chelating agents were developed that physicians were able to measure and release the mercury.

According to the following PRWeb article,

Mercury is a well-known neurotoxin. Once mercury is discharged to the environment, it converts to methylmercury, a very toxic form, and bio-accumulates in fish. The EPA has designated mercury as its Number One hazardous waste. Amalgam is made up of approximately 40% to 50% mercury, 25% silver, and a 25% to 35% mixture of copper, zinc, and tin.

The discussion of the Monahan Resolution resulted in increased awareness by the Council and audience regarding the multiple dangers of using mercury fillings. “I wasn’t familiar with this at all until Councilman Monahan brought it forward... I have mercury fillings. Now I am concerned,” as stated by Council Member Wendy Leece.

Further speaking of dental amalgams, Dr. Rota strongly urges anyone who is considering having the silver mercury filling removed from their teeth to ensure that procedure is performed by a dentist that adheres to the IAOMT protocols. For more information about dental amalgams and mercury toxicity or to find a biological dentist, visit http://www.talkinternational.com/.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Mold Controversy in SSA Office

Black mold is once again in the news. A governmental agency is at the center of the controversy, according to this article released Tuesday on PRNewswire:

The American Federation of Government Employees, the country's largest federal employee union, is demanding the immediate closure of a Social Security Administration claims office in Ironton, Ohio due to a black mold outbreak. The mold outbreak which was first noticed two years ago, has left nine out of 11 workers ill, all of which have filed workers' compensation claims, and poses a threat to the hundreds of people who go in and out of the contaminated office every week.

"I've asked and demanded they close the office," said AFGE Local 3448 President David Sheagley. "The employees are experiencing respiratory problems and headaches among other symptoms because of the repeated exposure to the mold. Around 100 people are in and out of that office every day – retirees, the disabled – and they are being exposed to black mold. This is a dire public safety issue."

A local representative first observed the mold early last summer and it has now since spread under and onto the seams of the vinyl wallpaper in the office. The only thing done so far by building management is covering the mold with clear tape – a precaution certainly not outlined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

"There's no enforceable standard when it comes to mold and air quality," said Sheagley. He does agree that while it is somewhat established, what is defined as a "hazard" is unclear. Sheagley cites Article 9, Section 4 of their 2005 contract as saying that an abatement plan will be made if there is a hazard. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have agreed that the mold is unsafe and unhealthy but the hazard has yet to be confirmed, meaning no abatement plan. Sheagley says that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working with the Federal Occupational Health (FOH) agency to do abatement.

FOH conducted inspections in the office September of last year and this August, but the reports from the September inspection were released this July, and Sheagley says he and other leaders were not informed of either inspections. Reports indicated moisture problems around windows, which have since been worked on but not fixed, issues with the HVAC system, and filters needing to be changed. The employees and the union have not been told whether or not any of the recommended steps by FOH have been taken.

A new office space is currently being built but will not be ready until next summer at the earliest. "Until then, the employees and the SSA claimants coming in to the office deserve to do their business in a safe, mold-free environment," concluded Sheagley."

The full article can be viewed by clicking here.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter

Winter means more time spent indoors. If our indoor air quality is compromised, we increase our chances of illness. How can we prepare our homes for winter given the fact that our indoor air often contains more pollutants than outside air? According to Ted Myatt, ScD, a senior scientist with the consulting firm Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc., "The air in your house contains pollen, mold, and ozone that leach in from the outdoors, as well as pet dander and pollutants from household cleaning products."

The combination of weatherproofing and heated, dry air boosts air pollutants even higher and seals in toxins. "Exposure to indoor pollution is associated with allergies, severe asthma, hospitalizations for cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and even heart attacks," Myatt says.

An article featured on MSN.com offers these tips for decreasing the health risks associated with indoor air.

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Crack a Window
Opening up windows when it's freezing outside sounds, well, cold (and costly). But sealing a house too tightly doesn't allow the entry of new oxygen or the escape of carbon dioxide that you exhale. As a result, your body doesn't get the amount of oxygen it needs, and you end up feeling tired and lethargic, explains Matthew Waletzke, a certified building biology consultant in Long Island, NY. He adds, "Oxygen levels can be especially low in a sealed bedroom after a night's sleep."

Clear the air: Open your bedroom windows for 5 to 10 minutes after you wake up in the morning and again before you climb into bed at night; this is enough time to let carbon dioxide out and oxygen in without chilling the rest of your house.

Clean Up What You Bring Down
Dragging winter blankets out of the attic and lugging decorations up from the basement stirs up dust, triggering allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, wheezing, and congestion, says James Sublett, MD, chief of allergy at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Clear the air: Take boxes outdoors to wipe off the dust, then wipe them down (along with what's inside) before you bring them back in and plop them in the front hall. Wash any blankets or linens in hot water before you use them (same goes for winter clothes that can go in the washing machine). You can also put on an N95 dust respiratory mask (available at drugstores) before you head to the attic or basement, Dr. Sublett says. It'll shield you from 95% of airborne particles that set off sneezing fits, but you'll probably still want to dust off boxes if you plan on taking off the mask.

Use Common (Candle) Sense
Scented candles, especially the industrial strength (and size) that many people light around the holidays, give off more than fragrance—studies show they produce tiny bits of pollution known as particulates that can inflame the respiratory tract and aggravate asthma, Dr. Sublett says. This is especially true if some of the dust you kicked up unearthing Grandma's decorations is still floating around. "Allergens like dust can hitch a ride on particulates, enter deep into your lungs, and make breathing more difficult," he explains.

Clear the air: Stop burning candles, especially the ones inside large jars, which tend to send even more particulates into the air, says Jeffrey May, principal scientist at May Indoor Air Investigations in Tyngsborough, MA, and author of My House Is Killing Me! If the holidays aren't the same for you without that soft, candlelit glow, choose unscented tapered candles, and place them far from vents and other air sources.

Turn Off Ventilation Fans
Exhaust fans work by sending the stale indoor air outside and replacing it with fresh air. However, running powerful fans such as commercial-size kitchen fans, large exhaust fans, or bathroom fans all at once (especially for an extended period of time) can redirect exhaust gases that may include deadly carbon monoxide fumes produced by gas or oil heaters back into the house instead of up and out the flue, explains Max Sherman, PhD, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Clear the air: Turn exhaust fans off as soon as they've done their job, or consider replacing a manual switch with a timer to limit unnecessary use. Install carbon monoxide detectors as well; they're just as important as fire detectors.

Replace Filthy Filters
The upside to winter's drier air is that it makes it difficult for mold to grow. But existing mold from damp basements and lingering spores in air-conditioning systems can become airborne (and stay there) if all the windows are closed, May says. Mold can irritate your eyes, cause congestion, and worsen existing respiratory problems.

Clear the air: Change your heating system filters every 3 months, Dr. Sublett says. Filters act like armed guards, holding hostage pollutants that feed mold—such as human skin cells, pollen, and pet dander—so they can't escape into your indoor air. May recommends a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of at least 8. Check the packaging. And have a professional service your heating system annually. Summer may be the best time—that way you can fix problems before you need the heat.

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To view the article in its entirety, click here.

Endocrine Disruption and Pesticides

The term "endocrine disruption" is quickly becoming a familiar one. Recent news regarding the ill effects of BPA (bisphenol A) brought the subject once again to the forefront. (The mycotoxins associated with toxic mold are linked to endocrine disruption, which makes the issue relevant to those recovering from a mold exposure.)

Pesticides have been implicated in recent years. The organization Beyond Pesticides is dedicated to the eradication of pesticides and now offers a database of pesticide-induced diseases, which facilitates access to epidemiologic and laboratory studies. In the article Wide Range of Diseases Linked to Pesticides, endocrine disruption is described this way:

Endocrine disruptors function by: (i) Mimicking the action of a naturally-produced hormone, such as estrogen or testosterone, thereby setting off similar chemical reactions in the body; (ii) Blocking hormone receptors in cells, thereby preventing the action of normal hormones; or (iii) Affecting the synthesis, transport, metabolism and excretion of hormones, thus altering the concentrations of natural hormones. Endocrine disruptors have been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, early puberty, infertility and other reproductive disorders, and childhood and adult cancers. More than 50 pesticide active ingredients have been identified as endocrine disruptors by the European Union and endocrine disruptor expert Theo Colborn, PhD.

The organization TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) focuses exclusively on the health and environmental problems caused by exposure to these and other chemicals. According to TEDX,

Most people are not aware of the thousands of pesticides and their formulations that are in use today, some of them in huge volumes and on huge acreages worldwide. They comprise acaricides, algicides, antifoulants, avicides, bactericides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, molluscicides, nematicides, piscicides, rodenticides, virucides, and the related plant and insect growth regulators; chemosterilants; bird, mammal and insect repellents, insect pheromones and other attractants. Product formulations may contain more than one active ingredient, as well as synergists, "safeners," and other ingredients formerly known as "inerts."

Our particular concern about pesticides is that they have been designed to disrupt biological systems, causing death to target organisms, such as insects or plants. Some actually work by acting on the endocrine systems of insects. The problem is that the biochemistry of most living things is similar enough that humans, wildlife and plants can also be adversely affected by pesticides.

In the past, much of the human and wildlife health-related research on pesticides has dealt with more or less immediate toxicity at relatively high doses, or has been concerned only with the primary mode of action of a single active ingredient in the pesticide product. In recent years, these concerns have broadened to include other possible actions of the ingredients, and testing at exposure levels more relevant to what may be in the environment.

TEDX has a list of endocrine disruption links and resources which is one of the most comprehensive lists I've seen on the issue of environmental health. The list can be viewed by clicking here.

Sugar Cravings

Halloween marked three months since the beginning of our family experiment. All eleven of us went on a modified version of the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet beginning August 1st. We eliminated all fruit/grains/sugars from our home to starve the fungus in our bodies. (See this previous post.)

It has not been an easy three months. Everyone has struggled. Especially our 10-year-old son with type 1 diabetes. It's as if his body demanded sugar in some form. Nighttime has been especially difficult.

One lesson we've learned is that sugar cravings are not simply about willpower. The body's chemistry plays a vital role.

The biggest help for the cravings? Lacto-fermented foods. According to one of my daughters, "Sauerkraut with the apple cider vinegar dressing is NUMBER ONE, for sure. It causes die-off, yes, but it's the only thing that I've found that nips it in the bud pretty much immediately."

The biggest help for Colin, our son with diabetes? Homemade goat yogurt and goat kefir.

Coconut water kefir has helped others.

A mom on the website Pickl-It shares the story of her young son's journey out of "sugarholism":

During one of his food-stuffing suffocating, choking sprees, he’d packed his face, to-the-max, with bread. Digging it out of his mouth, a few wayward crumbs fell onto his clothing and chair. As I bent down to collect them, he let loose with a record-breaking scream, directly into my ear.

Blinded and deafened, lightning bolts of pain searing through my brain, I bowed down over the kitchen table, planting my hands on its hard surface for support. I gradually realized my right hand was grasping strange, bumpy objects. A platter of whole dill pickles! I’d fished them out of a large wooden-barrel, just a few hours earlier, while visiting a local meat market. “Old-fashioned, cured, just like Grandma made,” the sign over the barrel read.

Glancing at my son, I impulsively, grabbed one of the pickles, plugging his gaping mouth a split-second before he let loose with another ear-shattering scream.

Effective!

The tears immediately stopped flowing (so did his). Wide-eyed, he quietly removed the pickle, examined it, then returned it to his mouth, chomping off a large chunk, alligator-style. An angelic expression descended over his face – a sweet face – a face I was seeing for the very first time.

The rest of the family watched, too exhausted to eat, while he happily polished off the pickle – without raging, projectile vomiting, over-stuffing his mouth, gagging or choking.

There is scientific evidence for the power of lacto-fermented foods. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that bitter foods may share the same taste buds as sweet foods. In fact, the bitter foods may help turn off the sugar cravings because of the peptide cholecystokinin (CCK). According to the study,

CCK might excite the bitter taste and at the same time inhibit the sweet taste, so the bitter message gets to the brain.

Lactic acid, which is generated by lactic-acid bacteria during fermentation, creates a "bitter" flavor in the form of peptides.

No wonder the sauerkraut, yogurt, and kefir have helped!

When we began our experiment three months ago, I never dreamed we would contentedly celebrate Halloween with "stevia pop" (made with vanilla cream liquid stevia and mineral water) and homemade peppermint patties, and top off our day with homemade coconut cupcakes!

The best news? Colin's blood sugars stayed in range all day. Whereas Halloween used to require 20-30 units of fast-acting insulin, this year he used a total of six units for all three meals and our special dessert!

Now that's the best treat ever!