Dr. Taz MD Living Healthy, Naturally Issue 17
Cheaper than Chemo Tip:Â Arthritis
 Â
For my patients who suffer from arthritis, I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet, 2- 3 grams of turmeric and 2 – 3 grams of omega 3 per day.
Beauty Buzz
Dr. Taz’s Sun Secrets
The sun is more intense than ever and you can definitely hear the beach calling! Your cooler and bags might be packed and ready to go, but how about your skin? Have you taken the time to ensure your skin is prepped and fully covered for an afternoon of fun? My patients ask me all of the time what the secret is to anti-aging and good skincare. . . sun protection is key!
So whether you will be working in the garden, heading to the pool for the afternoon or taking a beach trip – try these summer sun tips and your skin will thank you!
Dr. Taz’s Pre-Sun Prep
- 1 Aloe Leaf
- 1/2 Cucumber
Cut open & squeeze fresh aloe from leaf of aloe plant into the palm of your hand. Smooth with upward motions over entire surface of face. Slice half of the cucumber in 1/4 inch slices and gently rub slices over face – covering where you placed the aloe. Do not rinse face immediately. Instead, several hours later, splash face and pat dry prior to your sunscreen application.
*Use once a week, in the morning. Â Leave on 5 minutes & rinse with cool water
Sun Protection
For my Top 5 Sun Safety Tips, check out my blog!
You’ll find out how to choose the right sunscreen and other tips to avoid the burn factor!
Post Sun TLC
After you come inside from your fun in the sun, don’t forget to hydrate! And I’m not just talking about drinking a refreshing glaGreek yogurt in a glass jars with spoons on wooden backgroundss of water. . . treat your skin to an ultra soothing and hydrating mask.
Here is one of my persohnal favorites
Dr. Taz’s Post Sun Facial Mask
- 1/8 cup yogurtÂ
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juiceÂ
- 1/2Â – 1 teaspoon honeyÂ
Mix all ingredients together. Apply to a clean dry face. Recline or tilt your head back, to avoid some of the mess. Let the mask sit on your face for 10 minutes. Wipe away excess mixture, then splash face with cool water.
Ask Dr. Taz MD
Q: Dear Dr. Taz,
I am 52, went through menopause when I was 38-years-old and am still suffering from hot flashes. What can I do?
A:Â The symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes are signs of hormone instability. A South American herb, Maca, has been found to be helpful. Try taking 1 dropper or approximately 500 mg per day. Also, evening primrose oil is helpful at 600 mg 2x per day. Finally, remember your liver and colon also have to work efficiently to help hormone balance.
Click here to Ask Dr. Taz MD your questions!
Living Healthy Tip
5 Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tps for Arthritis Relief
1. Focus on fresh fruits and (non-nightshade) vegetables, beans, omega-3-rich seafood, organic/pastured meats and gluten-free whole grains.
2. Cut back on dairy, wheat and refined carbohydrates(including white sugar). These foods are notorious for causing flare-ups. Try eliminating them for a few weeks and see how you feel. If you decide to put them back into your diet, eat them occasionally – never as a staple. Instead, treat yourself with yourfavorite herbal tea or a natural dessert lightly sweetened with raw honey.
Note:Â If you cut out dairy be sure to include other sources of calcium such as dark leafy greens, broccoli and salmon.
3. Try eliminating nightshade vegetables. Nightshades often exacerbate arthritis symptoms.2To see if you are among those who are sensitive, cut them out for a month and take note of how you feel. Plants in this family include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers (black pepper excluded) and tobacco.
4. Eat turmeric daily. This bright orange-yellow spice is a powerful anti-inflammatory thatgoes well with many foods. Pick up some ground turmeric in the spice aisle and sprinkle it over your salads and soups. Or for a more concentrated dose of curcumin, the active agent in turmeric root, buy it in its raw form (it looks a lot like ginger). You can juice it or try a turmeric lemon tonic (find the recipe at the bottom of this post).
5. Eat a varied diet. At the grocery store, think “which healing food can I try today?” Eating a wide array of foods moves you toward a more favorable balance of gut flora (gut health is key to keeping inflammation down), fewer food sensitivities and a more powerful punch of healing nutrients. It is also a very enjoyable way to eat!
 Check out more tips on my blog!Â
Autism: 8 Foods & Supplements
For an overview of my Autism views and approach, please go back and read this post.
Children and adults on the autism spectrum can benefit greatly from a balanced diet that includes certain therapeutic foods and supplements. In particular, foods and supplements that:
- Reduce inflammation
- Restore the intestinal barrier
- Improve the balance of gut microbiology (” healthy bacteria”)
- Boost immunity
- Are a good source of antioxidants
- Speed detoxification
THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION
Each person is unique in their needs and sensitivities. For instance, one person may benefit greatly from eating garlic to clean up the digestive tract while another may not be able to digest it properly. Fermented foods may be very therapeutic for some while others may have an intolerance to the histamine found naturally in these foods and will have to wait to introduce them when the gut is stronger.
Priorities vary from patient to patient. One person may be dealing with persistent viral and bacterial infections while another may be desperately low on vitamin B stores. The needs and priorities overlap and change so each patient’s plan is highly customized and frequently revisited and revised.
Then there is the issue of picky eating. This is common in those with Autism because they may be (understandably) avoiding foods that cause them stomach pain or they might be avert to certain textures or unwilling to step out of their “comfort zone” and try something new. It takes time. Here are some helpful tips set forth by Autism Speaks.
8 Foods & Supplements to Consider
1. COCONUT OIL
- In general, healthy natural fats such as and avocado, olive & coconut oils and ghee (clarified butter) are nourishing on the digestive tract and necessary for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E & K.
- Coconut oil has been shown to improve antioxidant activity1 which is important for those with autism who are generally prone to oxidative damage (i.e., “rusting” of the cells) due to inadequate antioxidant protection2, 3.
- This healthy saturated fat is a superb immune booster, being antiviral, antimicrobialand antifungal. Studies show that it is remarkably effective at controlling the overgrowth of Candida (pathogenic yeast), common in autism4,5.
2. OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENTATION
- Patients with autism are often deficient in Omega 3’s, particularly DHA (the building block of gray matter -or “thinking part” – of the brain) and EPA. These are found in various amounts in seafood and sea algae.
- Many of my patients notice improvement when supplementing with a quality, mercury-free fish or algae oil.
Goal of Dr. Taz MD’s Living Healthy, Naturally
If you like what you’re reading, I encourage you to send this newsletter to a friend or family member so they too can enjoy living healthy, naturally.
With gratitude,Â
Dr. Taz Bhatia MD