Dr. Taz MD Living Healthy, Naturally Issue 16

From an integrative perspective, I recommend my patients use probiotics, evening primrose oil, borage oil, and the chinese herbal fire fighter. I also find that diet is very important to those suffering from excema. My patients see great results when they combine the above regimen and remove dairy completely from their diet, add healthy fats like coconut and olive oil and fermented foods.

Integrative Approach 

• Increase your healthy fats $0
• Remove Dairy & add fermented foods $0
• Probitics $30
• Chinese Herb Fire Fighter $25
• Borage Oil $10
• Evening Primrose Oil $8

Beauty Buzz
Dr. Taz’s Natural Exfoliant

Are you still seeing winter’s effect on your skin in the mirror? Wishing for that healthy looking glow from head to toe? Then it’s time to slough off that dead layer of cells and exfoliate! Each night as you sleep your skin cells turnover so I always say a great time to scrub is in the morning – to help shed those cells and brighten for the day ahead. Make sure you don’t over exfoliate as that can lead to skin irritation, especially for those with acne-prone or dry skin. Try my gentle, yet effective exfoliant that I make using items from my kitchen. It’s perfect for this time of year and even helps combat sun damage.

So grab a bowl, and stir these items together! You’ll be glad you did!

Dr. Taz’s Revive & Look Alive Exfoliant

• 1 Tbsp chick pea flour
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp yogurt (lactic acide, vitamin C)

*Use once a week, in the morning.  Leave on 5 minutes & rinse with cool water

Ask Dr. Taz MD

Q: Dear Dr. Taz,
I have been following your allergy information. My 11-year -old has terrible environmental allergies (no food allergies). He is hard to manage because he has no external symptoms. Just allergy shiners under his eyes and a fluid build-up in his ears with some post nasal drip and a sore throat. He has taken all Rx and OTC allergy medications, but none seem to work over a long period of time. I would like to get him off of the Zyrtec and Flonase and go natural for him, but not sure what to use that will help him since his symptoms are never mentioned in anything I read. He has been taking meds year round since we live in Florida and there is always something blooming. Would love your help! Thanks for your time!

A: Your son may benefit from liver support and regular juicing with dark greens to help his immune system. I would have him checked for candida overgrowth, a nd lower both sugar and dairy in his diet. Also, I would add 1 tsp -2 tsp of black seed oil daily. I would give this regimen at least 3 weeks before you try taking him off any medications. Good Luck!

Click here to Ask Dr. Taz MD your questions!

Living Healthy Tip
Fermented Foods for Your Health!

Did you know that the majority of disease begins in the gut? If that fact surprises or scares you, I’ve got great news and another fact for you. . . the majority of our immune system comes from our gut too! So having a healthy gut paves the way for fighting off disease. Although there are many ways to help keep your digestive system in top notch condition, I want to take a moment and talk about the important of eating fermented foods! Mixed pickled vegetables in glass jar Fermented foods are foods that have been through the process of lactofermentation. These foods are sealed without exposure to air and left to steep until the sugar inside of them turns to healthy bacteria! Fermented foods are classically recognized for their pungent and sour-like pickled flavor. They are packed full of healthy probiotics, which aid in balancing your gut with the right type of flora or good bacteria. A bonus to having a gut with balanced flora means you are able to digest food more fully and absorb more of the nutrients the food you eat offers. I recommend, when possible, that people try making their own homemade fermented foods. Several reasons include are it’s much easier than you might think, fermented foods keep quite some time due to the natural bacteria they contain and it helps to keep your costs down.

Keep Your Little Athlete Safe!

Encouraging kids to participate in their favorite sports is a great way to set healthy exercise habits for years to come – even if it’s just a game of tag or kickball in the backyard! But sports injuries and dehydration are a serious matter. If you really want to “CHEER” them on, be in the know and prevent dehydration and sports injuries!

C – oncussions
H – ydration
E – ating after
E – xercise
R – otation

(Though this post is geared toward kids you can apply the advice to your own exercise routine!).

1. Concussion – Prevent, Recognize, Seek Treatment. Children are more likely than adults to get a concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury) because of their higher head-body size ratio and weaker neck muscles. You can reduce the risk of concussion by making sure your child is properly secured when riding in the car and uses appropriate protective equipment during sports and activities. Signs that a bump on the head may require medical attention:
   • Headache
   • Temporary loss of consciousness
   • Appearing or feeling dazed
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Slurred speech or delayed response to questions
   • Fatique

   Second impact syndromeis a serious complication that occurs when someone experiences a second head injury before they have fully recovered from a previous (often unrecognized) concussion. This can lead to severe brain swelling and even death.

   Concussion Protocol: The American Academyof Pediatrics recommends that you get the advice of your doctor when your child experiences anything more than a light bump on the head.If you suspect that the injury could be severe, keep your child awake and call 911 at once.

2. Hydration – Be sure to keep children well hydrated during the warmer months, especially when they are involved in sports or intense play. Offer water throughout the day to ensure they are not losing more fluid than they are taking in.
   Here are some ways to make H20 more appealing:
   • Buy a stainless steel bottle with a fun design.
   • Drop small chunks of fresh or frozen fruit into their water.
   • To make your own electrolyte drink, mix water with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and/or other citrus fruits, raw honey* and a pinch of sea salt. (A small amount of salt taken with fluids can enhance hydration.)

   *Remember honey should not been given to children under the age of 2 unless cleared by the child’s pediatrician.

3. Eating After Exercise – Physical activity raises the body’s acidity. After a game, provide light alkaline foods such as orange slices, carrots & cucumbers or the electrolyte drink mentioned above. When looking at children’s overall diet, make sure they are getting enough protein. Quality protein replenishes amino acid stores and repairs muscle tissue. Chicken, grass-fed beef, quinoa, nuts and nut butter are all good choices.
4. Rotate the Sport – Children are becoming increasingly susceptible to overuse injuries such as baseball shoulder, gymnast wrist and runner’s knee. This type of injury occurs gradually when a group of muscles is over-trained (often when a child is involved in a year-round sport).

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Goal of Dr. Taz MD’s Living Healthy, Naturally

With gratitude, 
Dr. Taz Bhatia MD