Winter Weather, Morphine, Milk, and Bread

A recent snow flurry brought joking comments about those who will empty the grocery store shelves of bread and milk.  It is one of those things that people in the South say when it snows.  It never fails that any threat of winter weather produces casein and gluten shoppers.  Of course it is rare that any winter weather stays more than a day or two.

Some consider such behavior as odd.  After all, is it really that important since the roads will be clear tomorrow? Perhaps there is more to the compulsion to shop at the very hint of weather restricted access. It only makes sense if you look at it as a real food addiction. 

As it turns out, the protein casein (link)found in dairy products and the gluten found in wheat can actually turn into weak morphine like proteins. These react with opiate receptors in the brain.  The conversion of these type of proteins will vary from one person to the next. 

In my experience, the most common visual symptom of a gluten or wheat intolerance is fluid retention and inflammation.  The most common symptom of a dairy allergy is chronic sinus congestion.  Both of these can be accompanied by poor sleep.  An "O" blood type can have both allergies.  An "A" blood type is more prone to dairy intolerance. 

Individuals with a gluten or dairy allergy will consume their addictive food on a daily basis.  They also consume that type of food disproportionately compared with the other foods in their diet.  The most common response to the suggestion that one eliminates gluten from their diet along with the deer in the headlights look is:  "What else can I eat?"  It truly escapes them that fruits, vegetables, and meat are possibilities. 

If you suspect a food allergy try a modified elimination diet.  Stop eating that food (wheat or dairy) for 21 days.  On day 22, eat all you wish and stop again.  Notice any symptoms from day 22 to 24.  You may experience anything from a mild runny nose to full blown gastrointestinal upset. 

A food allergy has far reaching effects that include indigestion, inflammation, and hormone imbalance.  Hormone imbalance includes adrenal problems that impacts energy and sleep.  Thyroid hormone can be suppressed increasing weight.  Sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone can also be suppressed.  Identifying your food allergy can be the most powerful wellness change you can make.

Stay Well!

 

Coke, Cocaine, Acid and Addiction

John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist at Jacobs’ Pharmacy created Coca-Cola in 1886.  That was a time when pharmacies dispensed cocaine, heroin and other currently illegal drugs at will.  Such medicines were thought to be helpful and harmless.  What a great way to have repeated sales for a fountain drink.  And what a bargain at just five cents a glass!

As a child the small 6-ounce green bottle was an occasional treat.  We would always look at the bottom to see where the bottle was made.  Collecting the bottles for the one cent deposit (nothing new about recycling) at the local filling station was the order of the day.  This practice eventually shifted to the no deposit no return concept for our modern convenience. 

“Soft” drinks have evolved from the occasional treat to a way of life.  The new addiction was not cocaine but sugar and artificial sweeteners.  Did I say addiction?  Just ask a long time user of diet drinks to stop and notice the blank stare on their face.  That information did not register.  For some these drinks completely replaced water.  After all, there is water in it…..right?

Smart Americans have becoming more health conscious to the point that even Coca Cola has noticed.  They realize they must change their marketing toward promoting their product as healthy.  So, we should drink our Coke and go to the gym?  After all it is really too much sugar that is the problem?

There is no doubt that the empty calories in sugar are not healthy and contributes to just about every known disease including cancer.  There are, however, many other considerations.  Normal body pH (the potential of hydrogen) of urine or saliva is a generally little acidic at 6.5 to 6.7.  Body pH is relative as the stomach pH is about 2 and the small intestine is 7.4.  Cellular pH is more acidic in the nucleus than in the cytoplasm.  We are actually like a battery with positive and negative charged areas.

Soft drinks can have a pH of around 3 depending on the drink.  In order to remain normal, your body will have to buffer this back up to 6.5.  Calcium is the most abundant buffer in the body.  The more you consume the more calcium you loose.  At some point your body may not be able to keep up resulting in a more acidic overall pH.  This can make you more susceptible to diseases of all types including cancer. 

Water is the recommended fluid of choice.  The most common water recommendation is weight divided by two equals the number of ounces per day.  This can vary due to weather and overall exertion.  Make sure you consume water without chlorine or fluoride.  There are water filters that will remove these harmful chemicals.  Water can be enhanced by adding lemon or lime.  Other options include Nitro Powder for electrolytes.  Hydrate I or Hydrate II can enhance the body’s ability to utilize water.

Stay Well!

Natural Addiction

It had been just 14 hours since the last one.  As he drove home the thought emerged and grew as a compulsion.  The route changed toward the closest store.  Even as he pulled into the parking lot, he thought, “I can’t do this”, but he was soon back in the car and lit one up.  The relief was immediate, and the guilt short-lived.

Addiction in an amazing thing, for no matter the cost, the addiction is king.  You can lose your health, money, friends, family, and life all for the temporary stimulus that supports the neurotransmitters of the brain.  The definition of an addiction is simply something that you cannot stop.  Most think of addiction in terms of substance such as cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, coffee, or food.  It could also include a risk-taking behavior, sex, gambling, a job, religion, or even the emotions we create.  Emotions could include anger, self-pity, or continuous drama.  Rarely would one think of such emotions as addictive, but in reality, the brain activity is the same.  As it happens, you are doing what the brain is telling you to do which begs the question, “Who is in charge?”  The brain is screaming, “Give me my fix!

Your brain is hard wired for the brain chemistry that you experience.  This means that the more you experience something, the more normal it becomes, and the more you have to have that thing to feel normal.  Some substances are so potent, they can immediately change the brain chemistry to “require” that particular substance.  Cigarettes are designed to be addictive.  Some will say, “It helps me relax.”  What is missed here is the cigarette creates withdrawal and anxiety that must be satisfied by smoking another.  Of course it helps you relax, but the addiction created the need. 

There is a hereditary aspect to addictions.  In foods, such as wheat and dairy, the body changes the proteins to opiate like compounds.  Individuals that are asked to eliminate one of these may actually ask, “What can I eat?”  They cannot conceive eating anything else.  In other hereditary aspects, the dopamine receptor in the brain can have a defect that allows individuals to be susceptible to some substance.  The use of amphetamine type, Attention Deficit drugs can contribute to this problem. 

When you consider making a change, eliminate all addictive substances to avoid substance transfer.  If you stop the smoking, but drink coffee, you may increase coffee consumption.  If you quit drinking alcohol, you can transfer the addictive process to cigarettes and coffee.  (Of course, for the serious alcoholic, coffee and cigarettes is better than the alcohol.)  Any use of any addictive substance will keep the addictive process alive.

So, how can you quit a substance?

1. Reach the decision point for change.
2. Pick a date.
3. Pray.  All well recognized addiction programs suggest praying to God for help, as recognition that you can not do it alone.
4. If the substance is cigarettes try Natural Creations Tobacco Snuffer Spray
5. For other addictions, try Addiction Formula
6. Increase the body’s detoxification by drinking water, exercise, and sweating.
7. Activated Charcoal can adsorb drug toxins in the body.

Support systems can be helpful depending on your perspective.  I do prefer programs that are positive.  Programs that are negative may suggest that you can never be anything else.  Change your mind.  Change your body.

Stay Well!

This information is not intended for a serious dysfunctional drug substance abuse problem that may require substance abuse counseling or inpatient care.