We live in such a fast-paced, results-oriented society, that we easily forget how every other living thing on the planet slows way down during this time of year.  Winter is a time of stasis - movement slows and plants submerge their energy down into their roots. When we take our cues from nature and observe just how low the level of activity is, winter becomes a natural time to rest more and resource for our more active times of year - spring and summer.

In the five element theory of Chinese medicine, winter is the expression of the water element, corresponding to the kidney.  The kidney consolidates and stores our life force for use in times of growth, transition or crisis.  The kidney is our well of vitality and endurance.  When this vital essence is strong, we resist illness, adapt to change smoothly, and are mentally sharp.  By fighting our natural tendency to strengthen these forces during the winter, we leave ourselves ill-prepared for the entire year.

The depths of winter is the best time to strengthen our kidney. Leave more space in your schedule, and allow yourself more time to complete big projects.  Forcing yourself into productivity strains the kidney and can make you grow weary, achy and even depressed.  Establishing a routine and nourishing yourself with warm nutrient rich foods will stabilize and fuel you for the energetically demanding change of seasons.

Beneath the snow, within the moist earth is hidden activity of gestation and germination that will bring forth renewal in the spring.  Before seeds germinate, they require a winter spell of inactivity. In order to have a fruitful spring, we must root ourselves firmly.  The more we can ground, rest and resource ourselves this winter, the more we can fully express our seeds of intention when the days grow longer.

Introducing Juice Plus

When I recently expressed the difficulties of finding a high quality,  well-absorbed multivitamin that didn’t require a mountain of capsules, a colleague introduced me to Juice Plus.

Juice Plus is not a multivitamin, but rather a whole foods based product made from juiced fruits and vegetables.  It’s been around for over 30 years and has over 20 research studies demonstrating its efficacy.  It has been shown to boost antioxidant and status, reduce cardiovascular risk, increase immunity, and protect DNA.

Most people don’t come close to eating the daily recommended 7-13 fruits and vegetables.  Four caps of Juice Plus is equivalent to 17 fruits grains and veggies  - a great way to supplement your current intake. For more information check out: www.drmarierodriguezjuiceplus.com

Treat yourself to The New Year’s Empowerment Package - a self-renewal package that includes 4 visits with an empowerment team. You will receive 2 visits with Dr. Marie Rodriguez, and 2 supportive visits with either Carolyn Butcher, RYT, ACC or 2 visits with Nicole Mires, LAc. The purpose of the package is to support YOU in achieving your desired wellness goals such as: renewed energy, reduced stress, improved mental clarity, etc Package cost is $350 (value is $675).

In the first treatment you will discuss your wellness goals with Dr. Rodriguez and receive a craniosacral treatment. Dr. Rodriguez will facilitate your inner transformation with a customized treatment plan and make recommendations for follow-up: restorative yoga and coaching with Carolyn or acupuncture with Nicole - depending upon your needs.

Take charge of you and take advantage of this discount for a limited time only. As wellness providers we know the value of continued self-care therapies. What a better time than the New Year to step into the new you!

**call 202.386.9701 to schedule your visits - offer ends Jan 31, 2010**

Dr. Marie Rodriguez is a licensed naturopathic physician who treats the whole person. Dr. Rodriguez skillfully weaves the best of evidenced based medical diagnosis with an eclectic ‘medicine bag’. She uses nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, hoemopathy, and energy medicine to compassionately facilitate individuals in reaching their fullest potential.

Carolyn Butcher is a certified and credentialed coach and yoga instructor who creates a confidential and supportive space for you to explore, discover, and give voice to career hopes an dlife dreams. Carolyn supports you in your quest to see clearly, live fully, and breathe deeply through the power of connection, question, and conversation. Carolyn views coaching and yoga as complementary practices for strengthening the witness to what fulfills and keeps us balanced, centered, and open to what life has to offer us.

Nicole Mires is a nationally certified and licensed acupuncturist, and has extensive experience using the body’s energy systems in order to help balance and restore the body’s natural flow of Qi. She incorporates energy work and massage into her sessions to bring additional peace and tranquility during your treatments.

Infection is mild

So far the reported cases of the swine flu are symptomatically mild, with those suffering the most side effects being diabetic, obese, having heart disease or a weak immune system. There is no evidence that the virus has mutated in any part of the world.  For people with a healthy lifestyle, the risk of serious long-term complications of this flu are virtually non-existent.

Fatality rate is much lower than portrayed

Neurologist Dr. Russel Blaylock has extensively researched the swine flu infection, hospitalization and death rates from this year’s swine flu - so far 43, 711 have gotten the flu, 5,011 have been hospitalized and 302 have died.  This is a death rate of 0.6%.  Because of poor reporting, the CDC estimates that actually 1 million have become infected with this illness, which lowers the death rate to 0.3%.  This means 99.7% of people will not die of the swine flu this year.  In addition, the number of deaths in children from this flu is lower than the past 2 years’ seasonal flus. Children who have died from the swine flu have been those suffering from serious neurological conditions such as epilepsy, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.  The CDC has recently found a link between these deaths and vitamin D deficiency.

The vaccine will contains a dangerous immune adjuvant*

The H1N1 vaccine will contain MF59  a powerful oil-based immune adjuvant - squalene.  Adjuvants are added to vaccines ‘turbo charge’ them - they are molecules that incite more powerful immune responses and enable smaller doses of vaccine antigens to go a longer way. Squalene is a molecule normally found in the human nervous system and brain, but when it gets injected, it triggers an immune response not only against the squalene in the vaccine, but against all squalene throughout the body.   A high proportion of soldiers suffering from the devastating immune disease Gulf War Syndrome were exposed to squalene in the Anthrax vaccine.

*Thus far, squalene has not been approved by the FDA for inclusion in the US’s H1N1 vaccine. It is being used in Europe.  Please stay tuned for more information as this could potentially change at any moment.

The vaccine will most likely be contaminated

This is a ‘fast tracked’ vaccine, meaning that many of the usual safety precautions to prevent contamination  are being overlooked.  According to a number of studies, vaccine contamination is widespread, with vaccines containing viral fragments, bacterial components, and mycoplasma - all of which can produce chronic systemic disorders, cancer and long-term  brain degeneration.  Ironically, of the few safety studies that the government is conducting, none are using vaccines that contain the fore-mentioned squalene.

Long-term consequences likely

Those recommended to get this vaccine - children, pregnant women and the immune compromised are at a much higher risk for dangerous vaccine side effects than they are from a mild influenza virus.  Neurological disorders have exploded in the past 2 decades.  The undeveloped fetal nervous system is particularly vulnerable to the dangerous immune-provoking vaccine contaminants.  1976 was the last time a swine flu vaccine was created, and in that year 300 people died from the vaccine and over 500 people were paralyzed with Guillian Barre syndrome.  Interestingly the studies done that year were also conducted on a different vaccine than the one which was administered.

IF you are forced to take the vaccine, or insist upon taking it, please read below for some preventative measures.  I have also included tips on how to stay well during the upcoming cold and flu season.

How to Minimize vaccine side effects:

• Do NOT get this vaccine if you are already sick or on antibiotics - wait until you are well.

• Put a cold compress over the site of the injection immediately afterward to reduce inflammation. Continuing application for 2 days after vaccination to reduce risk of evoking the brain’s immune response.

• Do not take tylenol, ibuprofen or any other fever-reducing medications - fever is your body’s natural defense mechanism, and these medications can hamper the body’s natural detox process and up-regulate inflammatory mediators that contribute to neurological complications.
• Take fish oil, and vitamin D3 (2,000 IU in children and 5-10,000 IU in adults) to strengthen immunity before, during and after vaccination.
• Homeopathic thuja 6C and ledum 6C 3-5 pellets 3x on the day of vaccination to minimize side effects.
• Dr. Rodriguez will soon have access to a homeopathic version of the H1N1 vaccine which can be taken to prevent the flu and help counter vaccine side effects.

Natural Swine Flu Prevention

• Stay well-hydrated
• This flu is being spread by physical contact rather than being coughed on by infected individuals.  Use a hand sanitizer and cleanse commonly used surfaces - counters, door knobs, keyboards, shopping carts, etc.
• Rest! Get 8 hours of sleep and go to bed before midnight to prevent the immune suppression that accompanies exhaustion.
• Eliminate sugar because it suppresses the immune system.
• Take vitamin D3 - it balances the immune response and increases anti-microbial peptides that kill viruses bacteria and fungi.  2,000 IU daily for children, and 5-10,000 IU for adults depending upon serum status.
• Dr. Rodriguez will soon have access to a homeopathic version of the H1N1 vaccine which can be taken to prevent the flu and help counter vaccine side effects.

Numerous articles have been published regarding the danger of skin care products and the lack of regulation of the $20 billion-a-year beauty products industry.  The FDA does not require beauty products industries to test their products for safety, nor report all of the ingredients on their labels.  Essentially, any product can go to market.

In her book, Not Just a Pretty Face, Stacy Malkan uncovers the dirty secrets of the beauty industry.  She is co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - an organization launched after the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published ‘Not Too Pretty’, a study of 72 over-the-counter beauty products.  The results of the study are shocking - phthlates were found in over 70% of the products.  Phthalates are industrial chemicals linked to permanent birth defects in the male reproductive system and the plummeting of sperm counts.  Two of the most toxic phthalates, DEHP, and DBP, are banned in the EU but remain unregulated in the US.

This past fall, EWG tested 20 adolescent females for chemical exposures via urine and blood samples and detected 16 different chemicals in all 20 young women.  The contaminants found range from hormone disruptors to neurotoxins and chemicals that are linked to cancer.  Still other studies found carcinogens in baby bath products and lead in a majority of lipsticks.

What can you do about it? Simplify your beauty routine, and assess the safety of your skin and hair care products by consulting the safe cosmetics database.  Try not to put anything on your body that you don’t think would be safe to eat.  Use essential oils instead of toxic perfumes an 100% natural oils such as almond, hemp, or coconut oil instead of paraben-laden moisturizers.  Seek out companies and organizations that promote green self-care and sustainable, holistic living.  Refer to the resources list below for some ideas.

It’s no secret that we are living in extremely toxic times - it is estimated that the body is burdened by more than 250 chemicals.  Perchlorate has been found in breast milk and pesticides in the blood of newborns.  The rise in the rates of chronic disease and cancer are directly correlated with the polluting of our planet.  Your health, the health of children, and most importantly the health of our planet depends on us consuming consciously and living lives that promote sustainability.  All of this can start with the part of the the body the world sees first - our skin.

Resources

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Environmental Working Group

Eco-Coach: Advice for businesses and individuals on ‘going green’

Healthy Child Healthy World: Inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals

Holeco Wellness Medi Spa: Green and toxin-free skin and body care, and holistic living

Skin Deep: Check the safety of your skin care products

Vitale Natural: Organic skin care online

In 1980, an unprecedented study hypothesized Vitamin D’s role in cancer. Two researchers from the Moore Cancer Research Center (USD San Diego) studied colorectal and breast cancer rates in 15 countries across the globe. They incorporated measurements of serum vitamin D3 levels and satellite measurements of cloud cover and sunlight into the study. The results clearly showed an inverse correlation between sunlight exposure and incidence of cancer. Countries like Europe and North America where solar radiation is less intense had a 4-6 times higher incidence of cancer.

Since then, the amount of evidence supporting Vitamin D’s anti-cancer properties continues to mount. Recently, Lappe et al reported the first double-blind, randomized, interventional trial of vitamin D. Women over the age of 55 who took a 1,100 IU/day vitamin D supplement were shown to have a 75% reduction in breast cancer compared to placebo (Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 85: 1568-1591).

Vitamin D isn’t really a vitamin, but rather a hormone made by the skin under direct exposure to the sun’s UVB rays. Vitamin D targets over 200 genes in a wide variety of tissues. It inhibits cancer by: destroying aberrant cells before they become cancerous, by promoting cell differentiation, and by reigning in of out of control cell growth.

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic throughout the world, and it is thought that up to 70% of North Americans could be deficient. The current RDA values for vitamin D supplementation are based upon levels needed to prevent bone diseases - but not cancer, cardiovascular disease, MS, or influenza. Very little vitamin D is present in our food except for oily fish - salmon, mackerel, sardines, and cod liver oil. Blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are the barometer for assessing deficiency. Experts are considering optimal levels to run in the range of 50-99 ng/ml, levels below 20 ng/ml are considered deficient.

There are 3 ways to treat vitamin D deficiency: sunlight, safe artificial UVB radiation, and appropriate supplementation with vitamin D3. Regular, short intervals of sun exposure in which a large portion of your skin is exposed (over 40% of your body) is the most effective method for raising vitamin D levels. In caucasian skin, it takes about 20 min to reach the maximum production of vitamin D. Caution should of course be taken to avoid burning by gradually increasing exposure time. Pigmented skin will require significantly longer sun exposure for producing vitamin D - an estimated 3-6 times longer. Supplementing with vitamin D3 should be done according to blood levels, and the amounts required to treat deficiency may very well be doses that make many physicians uncomfortable.

So, for prevention’s sake, if you haven’t gotten your vitamin D levels checked yet, consider getting an end of winter baseline to learn just how much supplementation your body requires.

Detox is Spring Cleaning!

Detox is an ancient healing practice that can help us maintain our health and vitality even as we age. Come learn about this therapeutic practice and why it should be a cornerstone of well-being in a health talk by Dr. Rodriguez in collaboration with Elements Fitness Center.

Join Dr. Rodriguez for the workshop at Elements Fitness Center in upper Georgetown Saturday April 11th at 1 pm. We will discuss the health benefits of a nutritional detox. Various forms of detox will be discussed and a detox plan will be available. Cost to participate is $25, and for an additional $10 you can take the gyrokinesis class that follows.

]]> http://drmarierodriguez.com/2009/03/19/are-you-d-ficient/feed/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/10/27/avoid-the-flu-and-the-flu-shot-2/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/10/27/avoid-the-flu-and-the-flu-shot-2/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:02:16 +0000 dr. marie rodriguez http://drmarierodriguez.com/?p=70 Have you been offered your annual flu shot yet? It is that time of year when the flu vaccine gets widely marketed and indiscriminately administered to the public. Even though the CDC is now recommending it for all adults (in addition to children, elderly, and the immune-compromised), there are several reasons you should think twice before taking this “preventative measure”.

First of all, the effectiveness of the vaccine itself is questionable. The flu vaccine has been found to be approximately 35% effective if it contains the correct 3 strains of the influenza virus in a given year. Viral strains are chosen by trying to match the previous year’s flu strains, and don’t account for mutations. When the strains do not match the viral strains that are infecting people, the vaccine has been found to be completely ineffective, as was the case in the 1997-1998 flu season (Edwards, Radical Medicine p 698). A recent study published in the October issue of the Lancet Infectious Diseases (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/563393) states that the elderly may receive little to no benefit from the annual influenza vaccine. This is most likely due to their aged immune systems which have poor antibody response to the vaccine.

You might also want to consider what else is being injected, as the the vaccine itself contains more that just the viral strains used to confer immunity. It also contains: chick embryos (used to grow the viral material), thimerosol (mercury containing derivative linked with autism in children and Alzheimer’s in the elderly), formaldehyde, polyethlyene glycol, polyscorbate 80, and possible traces of the antibiotic gentamycin. There is no conclusive evidence about the long terms effects of these materials on your health.

Finally, there are also some serious possible side effects of the vaccine: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, Guillian Barre syndrome (immune mediated muscular paralysis), arthritis, Alzheimer’s and autism.

Immunity from the flu vaccine is short-lived; antibody levels begin to decline within months. Permanent immunity is acquired only by fighting off the illness naturally. In a given winter, the influenza virus is only one of numerous viruses we are exposed to that cause contagious respiratory illnesses. Symptoms of the flu usually improve in 2-3 days in healthy individuals. Doctors typically recommend bed rest, and plenty of fluids, and will often prescribe antibiotics for this viral illness. Alternatively, there are a whole host of natural remedies that have proven effects in treating the flu, and prevention is the best medicine. See below for recommendations on how to avoid the flu this winter season without the vaccine.

Flu Prevention - Natural Strategies

• Avoid sugar which dramatically suppresses the immune system
• Eat immune supportive whole foods and avoid processed foods high in refined carbs
• Proper rest - minimum of 8 hours and going to bed before midnight
• Adequate hydration for flushing toxins
• Vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Of the over the counter nutritional remedies, buffered ascorbic acid is one that you can trust.
• Vitamin A - Powerful anti-viral vitamin which can be taken in large doses at first sign of infection. Consult with your naturopathic doctor about this highly effective treatment.
• Drops of hydrogen peroxide in ears. The flu virus is transmitted via the auditory canal, and peroxide is a powerful anti-viral agent. Allow peroxide to remain in canal for 5 minutes and switch sides, repeat 2-3x.
]]> http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/10/27/avoid-the-flu-and-the-flu-shot-2/feed/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/07/21/sleeping-more-soundly/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/07/21/sleeping-more-soundly/#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:56:07 +0000 dr. marie rodriguez http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/07/21/sleeping-more-soundly/ Insomnia is quite common - sixty five percent of American women surveyed in last year’s National Sleep Foundation poll said they regularly have trouble sleeping. Disturbed sleep is commonly caused by a variety of hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances. Such imbalances result from everyday life in a modern culture that greatly values productivity over a quality night’s rest. Our lifestyles have sped up dramatically over the past several decades while our physiologies haven’t had an ‘upgrade’ to deal with the increased demands on our nervous systems. Our nervous systems spend far more time in the sympathetic (fight or flight) state and far less time in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) state. As a result, we have become hardwired towards activity and unwinding isn’t as simple as it should seem.

Good sleep isn’t something we can afford to ignore. Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise, it is a foundation for health and emotional balance. Over time, insomnia takes its toll, and it can put us at risk for lowered immunity, diabetes, chronic pain, and even depression. In fact, the emotional centers of the brain in sleep-deprived individuals is 60% more reactive to negative experiences.

A good sleep routine actually begins in the morning - wake up at the same time each day. This will help to maintain circadian rhythms and make it more likely for you to fall asleep at the same time each night. Get into some daylight early on to suppress melatonin. Try to not have any caffeine after noon as this can be over stimulating. Limit alcohol consumption as well. Exercise and eat away from bed time, as both of these activities raise internal heat, making it difficult to relax. Be sure to dim your lights to mimic the outside light at least one hour before bedtime. Light prevents the rise of melatonin necessary for deep sleep.

Tried all these suggestions and still can’t fall asleep? It may be time to get some professional help, especially if you have chronic insomnia. My own personal difficulties with sleep have led me to try several types of sleep aids before finding a solution. I recognize that different physiologies require specialized support. I incorporate an array of treatments ranging from homeopathic and herbal remedies to customized neurotransmitter and hormonal support. Read below for more suggestions for sleep support and consider a consultation should all else fail.





Recipe for Sleep

• Try not to engage in intense mental activity for at least 2 hours before bedtime. Light reading is OK.
• Turn off all bright lights as soon as possible after sunset, and very strictly for the last hour before bedtime. use gentle candlelight instead of bright room light if possible..
• In the last 45-90 minutes before bedtime, take a neutral bath (not hot) approx 92-97 degrees F. Add water to the bath as necessary to keep the bath from feeling too cool. Let the water cool down for the last part of the bath, so it feels cool to the touch. The bathroom should be dimly lit, a few drops of lavedar essential oil may be added to the bath. This treatment cools and slows the metabolism, while relaxing the nervous system.
• Lie down and rest as soon as possible after the bath and consider taking a dose of mildly sedating herbs (passionflower, hops, verbena, catnip)
• Make sure your room is dark, quiet and cool

]]> http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/07/21/sleeping-more-soundly/feed/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/03/22/allergy-alert/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/03/22/allergy-alert/#comments Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:10:38 +0000 dr. marie rodriguez http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/03/22/allergy-alert/ Each year, the blooming of the cherry blossoms in the Nation’s Capital heralds the arrival of spring, and for many of us, allergy season. Allergies are quite common, about 1 in 5 Americans suffer from them. An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to any substance normally harmless to the human body. Common allergens are: pollen, grass, dust, and molds. Major symptoms include: itchy and watery eyes, stuffy and runny nose, post nasal drip, and even hives and wheezing.

Allergies result from a hypersensitive immune system. The allergic immune system misidentifies an otherwise innocuous substance as harmful, and then attacks the substance with an intensity far greater than is required. In a properly functioning immune system, white blood cells differentiate between threatening and non-threatening proteins - invading those deemed harmful and ignoring those deemed harmless. The allergic immune system creates an abundance of antibodies against benign substances. When triggered, these antibodies stimulate a cascade of events that ultimately results in the release of histamine. Histamine causes vasodilation, inflammation, and a host of other symptoms associated with allergies - sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itching.

Conventional treatments for allergies include: decongestants, anti-histamines, and allergy shots. These may offer temporary relief, but do not solve the underlying problem as the body’s immune system continues to be impaired.

Naturopathic treatments offer immediate symptom relief, and more importantly, a strategy for correcting the underlying immune system imbalance. Restoring health to our digestive system is of utmost importance in re-establishing a balanced immune system. Our digestive system is where the external environment meets our internal mileau, and where over 80% of our immune cells originate. Daily stress and suboptimal nutrition (low fiber, caffeine and alcohol consumption, processed foods and refined carbs) leads to intestinal inflammation and even a condition called “leaky gut”. Simply put, incompletely digested foods and toxins can leak into systemic circulation through an incompetent intestinal wall. Once in circulation, these food particles and toxins can trigger unnecessary immune action.

Effective allergy treatment involves identifying and eliminating/reducing exposure to allergens (including food allergens), following an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce the load on our immune system and heal the gut. Homeopathic and herbal remedies can be utilized as a complement to dietary and lifestyle changes to help offset the worst of symptoms. Now is the time for heading off allergies this spring, see below for a plan.

Allergy Relief

• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet avoiding sugar, dairy, wheat and food additives - these foods are congesting and irritating to the nasal passages. A body that is less congested is less allergic. A good quality probiotic can help heal the gut and encourage the immune system to self-modulate over the long term. Stay tuned for more on probiotics.
• Limit exposure. Change bed sheets and pillow cases frequently. Avoid outside activities during peak pollen hours, close the windows to your house or car during high pollen days, wear a face mask and protective goggles when mowing the lawn and gardening. Strip off your clothing and hit the shower or bath after outside activities. Not only should you wash from head to toe, but your clothes should be washed as well.
• Try eating local unpasteurized honey (from a place near to where you live) starting at 1 tsp daily until you see a response (adverse response is possible) increase up to 2 tsp daily. Symptoms should improve over a 2 week period.
• Nettles are a natural anti-histamine, can be taken in capsule form, or a tea can be made by steeping 1 tsp in 1 cup hot water and drinking 3 cups daily.
• Use a saline rinse or Neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages and rid them of pollen.
• Natural remedies available in Dr. Rodriguez’s dispensary:

1. Allergiplex - 1 tablet weekly for 4 weeks to help prevent symptoms prior to allergy season. Can be taken daily when symptoms arise.
2. Northeast Allersode - Homeopathic preparation of local pollens, grasses, weeds for desensitizing the immune system. Take 1 dropper 3x daily for prevention.
3. Aller-C - Contains quercitin which stabilizes mast cells and prevents the release of histamine. 2 capsules twice daily for prevention, then 3-4x daily as a therapeutic dose.

]]> http://drmarierodriguez.com/2008/03/22/allergy-alert/feed/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/09/26/invitation-to-heal-2/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/09/26/invitation-to-heal-2/#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:08:53 +0000 dr. marie rodriguez http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/09/26/invitation-to-heal-2/ Take some time to unwind, get grounded and find your center before the upcoming holiday season. Join Dr. Marie Rodriguez and Liz Borodkin (yoga instructor and craniosacral therapist: www.lizborodkin.com) for a weekend healing retreat in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

We will take time to rest, connect with nature, and learn how to stay balanced in the fall and winter. We will practice yoga and meditation daily and explore the healing modalities of naturoapthy and cranionsacral therapy. Enjoy season-appropriate, healing whole foods meals prepared by Dr. Marie herself. In addition, each participant will receive one craniosacral session as part of the retreat package.

See below for more information on schedule, costs, work-trade opportunity, etc. Please contact: marierodrigueznd@verizon.net with any questions you might have.

Schedule:

Friday Nov. 9th 6 pm - Sunday Nov. 11th 2pm

Activities:

• Daily yoga and meditation classes
• One private craniosacral treatment per participant
• Lectures on the healing power of naturopathy and craniosacral therapy
• Interactive discussions
• Hiking and exploring the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley
• Delicious healing foods

Cost:

The house has single, double, and quad accommodations. Prices are all inclusive.

$350 for quad
$400 for double
$450 for single

*there is a $50 discount for reservations made before 10/26
**there is a work study opportunity for one person to help out in the kitchen in exchange for half of the retreat cost

Questions? contact marierodrigueznd@verizon.net

To reserve your spot, mail check to:

Marie Rodriguez, ND
1325 G. St. NW
Ste 500
Washington, DC 20005

]]> http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/09/26/invitation-to-heal-2/feed/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/08/08/hormones-gone-haywire/ http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/08/08/hormones-gone-haywire/#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:43:11 +0000 dr. marie rodriguez http://drmarierodriguez.com/2007/08/08/hormones-gone-haywire/ Our vitality is greatly influenced by the health of our body’s endocrine system. Hormones, our endocrine system’s chemical messengers, are critical for cellular functioning. Energy level, blood sugar stability, efficient metabolism, resistance to infection, and sleep quality are all under the direct influence of hormones. It’s no wonder we often quip about having a “hormonal imbalance” when we just don’t feel right. In fact, it has been estimated that up to 80% of women suffer from hormone imbalance. Symptoms are broad and can range in severity from PMS and menstrual cramps to depression, insomnia, infertility and susceptibility to immune disorders.

Nine times out of ten, estrogen dominance is the type of imbalance women face. An increase in estrogen relative to progesterone results from estrogen excess and/or progesterone deficiency. The most common cause of estrogen dominance is oral contraceptives. Stress and toxic exposures associated with modern living also contribute to this imbalance. Estrogen dominance has been linked to yeast overgrowth, weight gain, increased risk of breast cancer, elevated blood pressure, and mood swings.

When stressed, the body utilizes hormone reserves. For example, progesterone is a nice precursor to cortisol, one of the adrenal hormones associated with “fight or flight”. Because adrenal burnout is so common, progeterone deficiency is an equally common consequence. Progesterone deficiency can contribute to PMS, cramps, anxiety, and even miscarriages.

Xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens) are synthetic substances that have estrogen-like activity. They come from organochlorides, which are by-products of the plastics and pesticides industries. They are found in dry cleaning chemicals, non-organic dairy and meat, and plastics used in everything from baby bottles to food containers. These molecules have been linked to early onset puberty in boys and girls, the decline of male sperm counts, and even the feminization of fish. These foreign estrogens further contribute to estrogen dominance in women, and have been implicated in the rise of breast cancer rates.

In terms of hormone balance, it does seem like the odds are stacked against us. Nonetheless, there are some basic things you can do in your everyday life to help restore balance. First of all, eat a whole foods, nutrient dense diet from primarily organic foods. This will lower the toxic burden on your liver and enable it to process hormones more efficiently. Limit carbohydrates and dairy products which raise estrogen levels. Consider increasing consumption of flaxseeds, (recommend 2 tbsp daily) broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage - these fiber sources bind excess estrogen and prevent it from being recycled. Additionally, take measures to reduce stress and xenoestrogen exposure (see suggestions below).

Suggestions for reducing foreign estrogen exposure:

• Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Wash your hands to rid pesticides.
• Have a good water filter for your source of water: www.multipure.com, www.culligan.com
• Use only organic whole foods
• Do not microwave foods in plastic containers, and avoid the use of plastic wrap
• Use organic soaps and toothpaste
• Switch to more natural facial products to avoid estrogenic ingredients like parabens.
• Use only naturally based perfumes. Most perfumes are petrochemically based.

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