Switched - NRT Appt. 4/28

In my last update, I mentioned that due to belly-aches, the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing suggested I discontinue all supplements (I was taking 12 pills a day plus a liquid that I added to my water bottle) until I saw her again. This morning I saw her. First, I had a heart test. The same test I had the very first time I went to the Natural Health Improvement Center. The woman who conducted the test placed a strap around the lower part of my rib cage, and attached a wire to me also. I had to lie on the table, relaxed, without talking, for four minutes. I then had to stand facing the wall, also not talking, for an additional four minutes. She then printed some papers out, and I was off to see the CN. She did a number of tests in the fashion of NRT (holding various viles and bottles of stuff and pressing on my outstretched arm and so forth.) She explained to me, while showing me one of the print-outs, that I am "switched." She said that this means that my body is "doing the opposite of what it should." (???) She informed me that I would be starting another new supplement. This one is called "Antronex." She told me to take this one three times a day, starting today. She said to take only the Antronex today, and to begin the other supplements tomorrow. She reduced the Lact-Enz (probiotic) from 3 a day to 2 a day, and said that this is do to my positive dietary changes. (Funny, I had sort of a poor diet week this past week.....) I am to restart the chemicals in my water (which I am sure caused the belly-ache issues, but what do I know) and restart the stuff I take on my own. (vitamins, calcium, Vit D...) I had to get clarification, because I have trouble making sense of it. She claims that the Antronex is going to "take care of the other stuff" gesturing to a list of the other supplements. ??

I left baffled. But of course I'll read about it all online. As usual, she was not able to explain things very well to me, but I can get the info. on my own. It all seems goofy. But my skin DOES seem to be doing ok. It's not better exactly, but I'm still not using steroid cream (which is amazing and awesome) and it's not THAT inflamed. So that's all good. So...... I continue on....

NRT - Blocking and Switching

I am waiting for some information on blocking and switching from the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing. After getting belly aches several times over the last week or so, she told me to discontinue taking all supplements. She claims that my belly issues may be due to "blocking and switching." I went ahead and did a google search. This website seems to explain it pretty well. It actually explains a few things the CN has done with me that has otherwise not been explained. Like the red light for scars thing. Hm.

Interesting Update On NRT/Natural Health Stuff

For those following my trials with the Natural Health Improvement Center, you might find this interesting. A few days ago I had a belly-ache. I didn't think to much about it. Then yesterday I got another one. Being fairly unusual for me to get stomach-related issues, I was now wondering what was going on. I had recently starting adding Detoxosode chemicals to my water bottle each day, as directed by the Clinical Nutritionist I'm seeing. I thought that perhaps this was causing my issues. If you've read my past posts on all this stuff, you'll remember that when I first started taking the probiotic supplements my CN suggested for me, I was also taking one on my own, and the two of them together caused some gut upheaval for me. I emailed the CN, and let her know what was happening. She wrote back instructing me to discontinue the chemicals for the weekend (I emailed her Thursday afternoon.) I immediately rinsed out my water bottle and having been drinking plain water ever since. Some time this morning I realized I had forgotten to take my morning supplements. This is the first time I've forgotten the morning pills. Even after giving myself a mental reminder to take them when I got home form taking DD to school, I forgot again. I'm sure this is my brain telling me that something I'm taking is causing my issues. Anyhow, despite all this, this afternoon my belly started acting up again. I figured that maybe it takes a day or two to get the chemical stuff out of me, but either way, I again emailed the CN to give her an update. (As she had requested) She emailed back telling me to stop the supplements. I emailed for clarification, as there are a few things I take on my own: vitamins, vitamin D, calcium and fish oil. She confirmed that I am to stop taking everything. She claims that I am either "blocked" or "switched." She says she will send me information tomorrow regarding what all of this means. So I'll discontinue it all. It isn't without some reservation, because I know the vitamin D and the other stuff is important. But as I keep saying, if this is going to have any chance of working, I have to follow the program. So, that's the deal. My belly mellowed out in the evening, and I feel fine now. I have had no problem eating, or had any related issues, just a belly that feels unhappy with what's in it. So we'll see. I will update as things transpire.

12 Pills

I realized the other day that I take 12 pills a day. Twelve pills every day! How did I get to this point? Well....

Vitamins - I take them, as many do, to supplement what I eat, for good health.

Calcium - I read, more than a decade ago, about how taking calcium supplements can help women reduce bone loss as they age. Many women suffer from osteoporosis and related issues after menopause due to bone loss/reduced calcium absorption. I've been taking it ever since. I used to take one tablet a day until my dear midwives suggested I increase it to two per day. I did so about six years ago.

Vitamin D - At a recent visit with my midwife (for general woman care) she suggested I increase my intake of vitamin D. I take one a day.

Fish oil - I have thought for some time that I should take fish oil for the coveted omega-3 fatty acids. I don't eat fish (tuna once in a while...) so I started to take these recently. When I found out that most fish oil supplements contain PCBs, I stopped. I found some the other day at Whole Foods which claim to be PCB-free, so I got them. The bottle suggests two capsules a day, so that is what I take.

Lact-Enz - A probiotic recommended for me by the Clinical Nutritionist I see at the Natural Health Improvement Center. I take 3 a day.

Dermatrophin - Another supplement recently added by the Clinical Nutritionist at the NHIC. She told me that this one is to repair my skin (I see her for eczema/skin issues) I take two a day.

Wheat Germ Oil - Also recommended by the CN at the NHIC, this one gets squirted into my belly button. I know, I know, I think it's weird, too!! I do this once a day.

Yeah, it's crazy. Cave people did not do this. And every time I do any research on foods and health I get another person or group's opinion as to how to eat to treat yourself the best way you can, and they all disagree with each other. So is the best thing to do to eat everything in moderation? To cut out sugar? Fat? Carbs? What? I have no idea. But I'm giving the NHIC a chance to prove, or disprove, their take on things. But it is sort of funny. Hubby jokes that with all of these pills, I shouldn't need to eat!

NRT - The Appointment

Sean and I went for our initial visit at the Natural Health Improvement Center today. I turned in paperwork for each of us, which reported our basic reasons for seeking their help. I had to list what we had eaten over the last 2 days. And anything we take every day-vitamins and the like. We were taken into a room, and a strap was attached around my rib cage, and some wire clipped to my shirt. I was told to lie on the table without talking. I had to "relax" for four minutes. Then I stood facing the wall for four minutes. After the test was complete, something printed out of the printer in the room. We were then ushered into another room. A different woman (who seemed a little unsettled at having a 2-year-old in the room) told me that she was going to quickly explain what she would be doing (with a sideward glance to DS) and explained that there is an energy flow between the systems of the body, and the energy flow can be broken when part of the body is weak. She asked me to hold a small glass bottle that contained wheat-something capsules. I held my other arm out. She placed her hand on my head, and the other pressed down on my arm. She asked me to resist. She said that when the body system is healthy, the energy flow is good, and the arm resists. When the energy flow is broken, the arm can be pushed down. To show me how this works, she placed the backs of her fingers on my head, and pushed my arm down. She then proceeded touch various areas, and said she was checking my organs. (fine) She asked if I had any scars, as from a c-section, episiotomy, ear piercings. She had me touch scar areas while she pushed on my arm. She touched areas of my skin that are currently broken out with eczema, and pushed my arm. When it was Sean's turn, he sat on my lap, I continued to hold the wheat bottle, and still held out my arm. She would touch various areas on him (organs, rashy areas) and push MY arm. His test was very quick. She then handed me a folder of info, asked me to keep a record of everything we eat, and asked us to come back on Wednesday (today is Monday.) She said that diet is definitely related to my issues. She also told me she would be emailing me some more information to read prior to our next visit. Something had not printed out yet...

The paperwork I was given to take home includes a food log for each of us, some information entitled "Scar Tissue and Disturbance/Interference Fields", a form called "Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins", some bio information on the practitioners, a "What Our Clients Are Saying" form, a "Good Foods" list, and three pamphlets: one for the center, one on NRT, and one called "Designed Clinical Nutrition." Should make for interesting reading.

Oh, and this appointment, for the two of us, cost TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS.

Probiotics

I am constantly reading, on the Holistic Moms loops and other places, that people take probiotic supplements for health and immunity. In my efforts to become healthier and more natural in my approach, I shopped for and bought some probiotic capsules. They are not inexpensive (!) but the ones I found at my local natural food store were much less expensive than those I've looked at online. As there were many to choose from and I don't know one from the next, I asked the advice from a man who worked in the store. This is what I've come home with:

What does it do? Well..... it is a blend of bacteria, each of which does its own thing. In a nutshell, the idea is that the bacteria will help the gut keep healthy. It claims to be able to possibly help people who have trouble digesting lactose, for example. Probiotics supposedly help children who have eaten foods too early in life and have developed "leaky gut." (ew) That just means that things go through the weak stomach lining that aren't supposed to. And it can help adult bellies heal, too. They claim to be helpful with irritable bowel syndrome. One strain "has been clinically proven to stimulate immune response..." and so forth. Anyhow, I got them, and I will try them out. I have convinced my husband to try them, also. (What a good sport!) I'll keep you posted if there's anything to follow up with. I plan to start with a half-capsule, because someone on HMN reported getting stomach cramps when starting probiotics, and another said her system had to get used to it. I think I'll try to avoid that problem if possible..... Isn't that the opposite of helping the gut??

Am I nuts? Maybe.

Someone just told me that probiotics may be able to help with eczema.... that would be good news, indeed.

The following information came from HERE:

"Studies suggest that babies at high risk for allergic disorders such as eczema have different types and numbers of bacteria in their digestive tracts than other babies, and that probiotic supplements taken by pregnant women and children may reduce the occurrence eczema in children."


It said also that it may help kids who already have eczema. What about mommies? 


Well, it's March 4th, and I just took my first probiotic. I also took my first fish oil capsule. I don't feel any different. lol. =)