Dr. Taz MD’s Guide to Living Healthy Naturally Newsletter April, 2014

Hair loss, in integrative medicine, is often the result of nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances and stress. The first goal is to identify which imbalance is taking place and then create the right treatment plan!  A great first step is a diet high in protein (at least 60 grams per day), a good B vitamin supplement (try our Natural Boost) , and the Chinese herb He Shou Wou. 

I think you will find that treating hair loss from an integrative approach will not only help your hair, but your entire body as you discover and work to heal the root cause.

Beauty Buzz
Choose the Right Sunscreen

As the weather warms up and you begin spending more time in the sun, it’s really important to protect yourself from harmful rays. But it’s also important to pick a sunscreen without some of the really harmful chemicals too! Picking the right sunscreen is an integral part of safe sun exposure. Make sure your mineral sunscreen is “non-nano” meaning the particles are large enough to stay on the surface of the skin. Nano (very fine particle) mineral sunscreens absorb through the skin and can accumulate in the body. Avoid sprays. Non-mineral sprays are particularly toxic. Mineral sprays are also unsafe, causing lung damage if inhaled. Brand Recommendations:

• Kiss my face with Hydresia (SPF 40) 
• Badger SPF 30 Cream + SPF 35 Face Stick – this one is great for the kids! It leaves a white residue but receives one of the top EWG ratings.
• Mychelle brand sunscreens are more of a splurge and can be reserved for the face as they don’t leave a white residue.

Even a high quality non-nano mineral-based sunscreen is not perfect, as rated by EWG’s Skin Deep database. I recommend that you wear sunscreen during peak hours and if you are in the sun for a prolonged period of time, but find other ways to protect yourself as well…

Read More Sun Safe Tips Here

Ask Dr. Taz MD

Q: Dear Dr. Taz,
Lately, I have been doing better with my digestion, gaining a little weight, and feeling better in general. I am concerned about things I have heard about the consumption of grains contributing to problems with the brain, such as dementia and altzheimers. Dr. Perlmutter’s book, Grain Brain, in particular talks about these effects on the brain.

Grains are one of the foods that I can have. I eat gluten-free most of the time. If I eliminate grains, I lose one of my main sources for putting weight back on. However, I have been having increased problems with short-term memory, so I am concerned. What is your view about the connection between grains and problems with the brain. What would be your advice in my situation?

A: While we are all questioning the overabundance of grain in the “Standard American Diet,” it’s helpful to keep in mind that each person is unique and individual in their circumstances. If you are losing weight and grain is a source of keeping your caloric intake high, then you should nwheatb.jpgot completely eliminate grain from your diet. You can vary the types of grain and make sure you are not getting too much of one particular type of grain and try to buy organic, non-GMO grain, whenever it is possible. There are many reasons for cognitive decline, so it might be helpful to revisit those issues specifically.

Click here to Ask Dr. Taz MD your questions!

Living Healthy Tip
Ward Off that Dreadful Spring Cold

The sun is shining and your dreams of flip-flops, lemonade and a trip to the beach are finally becoming a reality. Then out of nowhere, a cold knocks you flat. It’s not allergies. . . it’s that dreadful, ill-timed spring cold. If you’ve ever found yourself in this position, you know that a spring cold can be more insidious than its winter counterpart. Not only does it clash terribly with its backdrop of sun & fun, but it is the nature of enteroviruses (a group of viruses commonly linked to warm-weather colds) to hit hard and to last longer.

And don’t forget to keep hydrated with plenty of water, especially as the weather warms and you begin sweating more! Also, load up on vitamin c rich foods like oranges and lemons to keep your immune system charged. And try my Dr. Taz Spring Cold Buster if you feel any cold symptoms coming on or even better, just incorporate the juice blend weekly!

Stock Your Cabinet to Fight ALLERGIES

Grab a notepad and pen and get ready to take some notes! Today we are stocking our allergy medicine cabinet! This will wrap up our current allergy series.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are central to overcoming allergies, including supplements can provide faster relief as well as accelerate long-term healing. During the interim, medication can help to further alleviate symptoms.

Here is a list of my favorite anti-allergy products.

1. Natural D-Hist and D-Hist Jr. (for kids)* This potent therapy combines several powerful ingredients that are clinically proven to calm the allergic response, including:
   • Quercetin – Quercetin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It opens the airways by significantly dilating the bronchial tubes. Quercetin’s absorbability is enhanced when taken with bromelain.
   • Bromelain – Bromelain is a proteolytic (i.e., protein-digesting) enzyme derived from the stems of pineapples that is commanding the attention of the medical community, with over 1,600 peer-reviewed articles to date. Known to reduce swelling in the airways, bromelain has long been used as an antihistamine in Europe and is gaining popularity on this side of the pond.
   • Stinging Nettle – This nutrient-dense weed is prickly to the touch but very therapeutic when consumed. It targets and inhibits several specific pro-inflammatory pathways known to trigger the allergic response.
2. Magnolia Clear* Magnolia clear combines Magnoliae Flos (the magnolia flower bud) with other therapeutic herbs to relieve allergy symptoms. Magnolia has been shown to benefit those with mild to moderate asthma. According to traditional Chinese medicine, magnolia is slightly warming and astringent, dispersing “wind and cold” and promoting drainage and opening of the sinus cavity.
3. Probiotics* Your immune system’s reaction to allergens is often a reflection of your digestive health. Build up your digestion with probiotics (live, beneficial bacteria found in cultured foods and in capsule form). These healthy microorganisms improve the balance of gut flora, boosting the gut’s mucosal immune system. Probiotics also work to physically repair a compromised intestinal wall, thereby protecting the integrity of the systemic immune system.
4. Black seed Oil Black seed oil is receiving more and more attention from the medical community. Its active constituents have been shown to modulate (i.e., restore the “intelligence” of) an out-of-balance immune system. In clinical studies:
   • Black seed oil exhibited a significant reduction in all the markers of allergic inflammation.

Read More Here…

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

With gratitude, 
Dr. Taz Bhatia MD