drrandy.org, online home of Randy S. Baker MD, Holistic Physician in Soquel, CA

WELCOME to drrandy.org, where you can find information about the 
Holistic Medical Practice of Randy S. Baker MD and our center, the Pacific                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Center for Integral Health in Soquel, CA, as well as quality information on                                                                                                                
Holistic Medicine and integrating Complementary and Alternative 
Medicine therapies with the best cutting-edge knowledge from                                                                                         
conventional Western Medicine...                                                        


Go to "Healing Philosophy " to get an overview of my approach to 
understanding and treating all health imbalances by identifying and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
removing the underlying causes of disease, providing optimal nutrition, 
and using energetic modalities such as homeopathy...

the practitioners that work here. Please read our "Frequently Asked Questions" section

on this page to learn more about us (and to learn about drrandy's musical mixes).

Go to "RECENT ARTICLES", "ARTICLES 2003", and "PAST ARTICLES"
to read clear and concise articles on a wide variety of topics such as
Diet, Detoxification, Mercury Toxicity, Food Allergies, Homeopathy,

Our Contact Page tells you how to reach our center by phone and allows you to email me with questions/comments

Our LINKS section contains useful links to many other sites providing excellent information on health, as well as a link to some cool videos...

By the way, this site has been put together by Dr. Baker, who knows very little about how to make a

website, so please excuse the somwhat amateurish nature, occasional mispellings, sudden changes in

text size, and blank spaces that I don't know how to eliminate. I am much better at helping people to heal

This year I received two Santa Cruz Metro Goldie awards (for those who are out of town, this is a local

weekly news and entertainment publication that has readers vote annually for the "Best Of" ranging from

best pizza to best auto mechanic), again winning the Gold award for "Best Holistic Healer� and also winning

the Silver award for �Best Medical Doctor.� I am deeply honored to be so acknowledged, especially knowing

that our area is blessed with so many superb health practitioners.
I thank everyone who voted for me. However, receiving these awards leads me to muse on the question

of whether it is possible for anyone to know who the best doctor/healer in our area is. I have no way of knowing

if I am the best (or second best) doctor/healer in our county. My best guess is that I am the best for some of

those who find their way to me, and that there are other practitioners more suited to the needs of others. It is

impossible for anyone to be all things to all people. While I have many skills and talents, I am not a bodyworker,

and that is one of the best ways to help some people. And if a patient needs surgery, trust me, you would not

want me to be your surgeon. Even in the things I do fairly well, like homeopathy, I will be great for the people

whose remedy I am able to find, and not so good for those whose remedy I am not able to find. But part of my

job is to recognize when one of my patients may be well-served by seeing another practitioner, and referring

them to that practitioner.
When people vote for me in these awards, I think what they are acknowledging is the time and energy I take

getting to know each individual as a whole person and educating them about the causes of their problems and

how they can actively participate in their healing. I think people also appreciate the breadth of my knowledge

and how I recognize that there are many ways to help someone to heal. I believe that people also sense that I

truly care about them and give my very best effort in helping them.
If this was an awards ceremony, I would thank my excellent associate practitioner, Cynthia Quattro PA, DAOM,

our great nurse Julia Johnson RN and my wonderful staff, Jeanne, Marlene, Mindy and Nancy,

as well as my sweet family for their love and support. And I would dedicate these awards to all the other superb healers

in Santa Cruz county who also deserve acknowledgement...

MERCURY MADNESS

As a holistic physician I do my best to uncover the underlying

causes of illness. One of the most common causes is environmental

toxins, and one of the most omnipresent and serious toxins is

mercury. We all have mercury in our bodies (even newborns, who are

exposed in utero).

Mercury is among the most toxic substances known to man. As little

as 1 gram can be fatal. Even the tiniest quantities have adverse effects.

Mercury can damage any organ, but especially affects the nervous system

and immune system. The phrase "mad as a hatter" refers to the effects of

mercury exposure incurred by those who manufactured hats. Common symptoms

of mercury toxicity include fatigue, headaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia,

impaired memory and concentration, tremors, gum disease, metallic taste,

tinnitus, hearing loss, shortness of breath, palpitations, profuse sweating,

hypertension, joint pains, tingling and numbness. There is strong evidence

that mercury is a key factor in causing Alzheimer's disease.

It has been implicated as a causative factor in Multiple Sclerosis

and other autoimmune diseases, and may be a cause of autism.

The main sources of exposure to mercury are dental amalgam fillings, seafood,

and thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines.

Dental amalgams contain about 50% mercury, mixed with silver, tin, copper and

zinc. Small amounts of mercury are continuously released from amalgams as a vapor,

with more being released when we chew, have hot drinks and brush our

teeth. Those with amalgams inhale an average of 3-17 micrograms of mercury

each day (though in some cases 100 mcg or more), an amount known to be

toxic. This quantity accumulates over time, as it takes 15-30 years

for the central nervous system to excrete half of its mercury.

Mercury is released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil

fuels. In the US, coal-burning power plants release about 50 ton of

mercury into the air each year (locally, the RMC cement kiln in Davenport releases

about 175 pounds of mercury each year; they are in full compliance with the EPA,

which currently believes it is acceptable to release that much mercury. Hopefully,

with the new administration that policy might change for the better). Mercury

from coal burned in China crosses the Pacific and comes down in our local rain,

polluting soil so that even organic produce contains traces of mercury, lead and other

metals. But much of this mercury enters our ocean, contaminating

seafood. Fish contains methymercury, an especailly dangerous

compound. The big fish that eat the little fish accumulate the most

mercury, with swordfish and shark being especially rich sources of

mercury. Large old tuna have more mercury than young small tuna.

Information on the mercury content of various forms of seafood can be found at

www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html

Thimerosal, a preservative in vaccines and some medicines, is a toxic

mercury compound. The dramatic increase in autism in the 1990's occurred at a

time when children were being exposed to much greater levels of thimerosal as

more vaccines were given. Thimerosal has been found to trigger autoimmune disease.

Fortunately, the amount of thimerosal in most vaccines has been

greatly reduced or eliminated, though it is still present in some

vaccines , including influenza vaccine.

Diagnosing mercury toxicity can be challenging. Blood levels only indicate

recent exposures. Hair analysis does not always correlate with body

burden, as some people are toxic at least in part because they do not excrete mercury

particularly well, and hair is one avenue for excreting mercury. Thus, some people

with low hair levels have high tissue levels. And some people who are good at

excreting mercury in their hair appear to have high levels on hair analysis when they

may have a relatively low body burden. The most accurate test is a provocative

challenge, where a patient is given a medicine that binds or chelates mercury.

We have found DMPS, a pharmaceutical manufactured in Germany, to be the safest and

most effective chelator to use in this test. The amount of mercury (and other metals)

excreted in the urine reflects the amount stored in the body. Another sensitive

and noninvasive test is measuring the levels of certain types of porphyrins, a metabolic

byproduct that can indicate mercury toxicity.

It is possible to dramatically reduce our body burden of mercury, but it

must be done carefully. Improper treatments can do more harm than good. Most experts

believe that is necessary to first remove mercury-containing fillings from our teeth

before one can safely try to remove it from our bodies (while there is some truth to this,

certain detoxifying agents such as chlorella appear safe for those with amlgams). This

requires seeing a dentist who has been trained in the proper way to safely remove amalgams.

Many dentists just drill out the old fillings. When this is done much of the mercury

becomes a vapor which is inhaled by the patient (as well as the dentist and dental assistants).

Proper techniques involve using a low-speed drill or, even better, primarily chiseling

out the old fillings rather than drilling them out. Many dentists also use special dams

to prevent swallowing amalgam residues and have special air filters. If one does not

have their amalgams replaced carefully, they may wind up with much more mercury in their

body than if they were not replaced.

Once the fillings have been replaced it is often wise to undergo chelation with oral

or IV DMPS or oral DMSA, as well as using natural chelators such as zeolite (Natural

Cellular Defense or ACZ) and a new product called OSR. Selenium helps protect the body

from mercury toxicity during the period around amalgam removal. Chlorella, undenatured

whey protein and cilantro are among the natural substances that also support mercury detox.

A good review of mercury detox can be found at

http://www.mercola.com/article/mercury/mercury_elimination.htm

A review of evidence leaking dental amalgams to mercury poisoning is at

http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/short/9/7/504 and also

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:HSh586CKWh8J:www.toxicteeth.org/

The following link discusses the toxicity of thimerosal as well as amalgams:

http://www.mercurypoisoned.com/hearings/

mercury_toxicity_from_dental_amalgams_and_thimerosal.html

Information on the link between mercury toxicity and autism, as well as the use of porphyrin

testing in assessing mercury toxicity is at

http://mercury-freedrugs.org/

Identifying and treating mercury toxicity is one of the best strategies I know for

improving and maintaining ones health.

A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO MEDICINE

Basic biological and medical research is making tremendous advances in the field of molecular

biology and this is leading to exciting new treatments. One of the most fascinating areas of

research is in the control of how genes are expressed. This field is called epigenetics.

Genes are the software of our cells. Every cell in our bodies contains all of our genes.

However, there is a big difference between a brain, kidney or liver cell. The difference between

these cells is that each cell has certain genes turned on and certain genes turned off. Not only

are there control mechanisms that turn genes on or off, but there are control mechanisms that adjust

the volume, so to speak, of each gene. Some genes that are "on" are read with great frequency,

while some are read at low frequency. We have 2 copies of each gene, and often one may be more

functional than the other. Which genes are turned on and how often they are read can greatly affect

physiologic function. The mechanisms that turn genes on and off and control their volume are called

epigenetics.

Researchers are discovering that our life experiences as well as a variety of substances such as

nutrients, herbs and toxins affect the control of genetic expression. This has far-reaching

ramifications. For example, cancer is ultimately a disease of disordered genetic expression. Cancer

cells have certain genes, known as oncogenes, turned on, and crucial genes that control cell growth

turned off. In 1967 Dr, Stanislaw Burzynski discovered natural substances our bodies produce called

antineoplastins. He has had incredible clinical success treating brain cancer using these substances.

Until recently, it was not clear how this treatment worked, but it is now clear that antineoplastins

work by suppressing oncogenes and turning on tumor- suppressing genes. More information on his work

can be found at http:// www.burzynskiclinic.com/ph/clinical-trials-antineoplastons.html.

Common disorders such as arthritis, diabetes and obesity can also be related to disordered genetic

expression. Diabetes and obesity are both related to inflammation in the body and increased risk of

cardiovascular disease. Specific iso-alphic acids isolated from hops have been found to influence the

expression of genes that produce cytokines, which are hormone-like chemicals that mediate inflammation.

These iso-alphic acids significantly reduce inflammation in a safe non-toxic way. Other iso- alphic

acids have been found to improve the control of blood sugar in diabetics via influencing the release of

insulin and the activity of insulin receptors.

One of our most common physiological stressors is heavy metals. We all have lead, mercury, cadmium

and other heavy metals in our bodies. The average person alive today has 1000 times more lead in their

bodies than in preindustrial times. High levels of lead are strongly associated with increased risk of

cardiovascular disease, cancer and brain disorders. Our bodies produce enzymes known as metallothiones,

which chelate (bind) heavy metals and carry them out of our bodies. However, the levels of metals we are

now exposed to far outstrip our capacity of produce metallothiones. A new nutriceutical uses epigenetics

to increase our production of metallothiones from 70 to 300%.

The research on how life experiences affect genetic expression is just as fascinating. Research on mice

reveals that when they are raised in a nurturing environment, expression of genes related to the ability

to handle stress is increased, whereas when they are exposed to stress when young the expression of genes

involved in handling stress is reduced. This seems counterproductive, but can go a long way to explain how

childhood traumas can have long-lasting effects on our physiology. While those who study mind-body medicine

have long appreciated how powerfully our life experiences can affect our health, a scientific understanding

of the physiological mechanisms involved increases the respect these connections will have in the world of

medicine and potentially led to new treatments that can improve the expression of genes that can help

individuals to handle stress. More reading about his can be found at http:// theeverevolvingspirit.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/the-new-genetics-of-mental- illness/

and at http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-new-genetics-of-mental-illness.

While we are just starting to understand epigenetics, it has played a role in health and healing for millenia.

We are learning that certain herbs effect genetic expression. For example, the Chinese herb Hu Zhang, also

known as Japanese Knotweed, contains resveratrol and related compounds that turn on, or increase the expression

of certain genes called sirtuins. Sirtuin genes are also activated by fasting or dramatically reducing food

intake and may be the main reason why restricting an animals caloric intake by 40% dramatically extends its

lifespan. Sirtuin genes slow down the aging process. Taking Hu Zhang may give health benefits similar to

caloric restriction.
We are now just starting to utilize epigentics clinically, but it holds tremendous potential for preventing

and treating a wide variety of illnesses. Innovative practitioners are already starting to use the first wave of

these products with success.
Some nice video segments from a Nova show on epigenetics can be found at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html

If the column published in the Sept. 2008 issue of The Connection Magazine looks familiar to some of you, it is a rerun of a column that first

appeared in the spring of 2006. If I had known they were going to run it again I would have updated it, but here is an updated version for

those reading online:

Assessing the Next �Miracle Cure�

Every health practitioner is faced with the challenge of evaluating new therapies, be they pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceuticals, herbs or

devices such as electromagnetic-based treatments. Often these treatments are touted as miracle cures for serious illnesses. Unfortunately,

they don�t always live up to their promise.

One recent notorious example from the western medicine world is that of Celebrex and Vioxx. While not exactly touted as miracle

cures, they were heralded as being much safer alternative to other anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen (known as NSAIDS).

This is significant, because nearly 20,000 people die of gastrointestinal bleeding due to NSAIDS in the U.S. each year. However, as time went

on, it became clear that while there was a significant reduction in risk of bleeding when using these drugs for up to 3 months, with longer usage

the risk approached that of NSAIDS. Then it was discovered that patients on Celebrex and Vioxx had approximately a two-fold increase in

risk of heart-attack and stroke. Vioxx was withdrawn from the market and Celebrex use has declined. Suddenly these wonder drugs did

not seem so wondrous.

Alternative therapies are not immune from exaggerated claims either. However, while they are sometimes shown to be ineffective,

seldom are they found to be dangerous.

One of the difficulties in assessing new alternative therapies is that they often have not been proven effective in formal research studies.

Such studies can be very expensive to run. A pharmaceutical company can afford this because they are granted a patent which allows them

to make tremendous profits. Most natural supplements can not be patented, so if someone goes to the expense to conduct a study they are

not assured of reaping profits, as others can sell the same product. Fortunately, the National Institute of Health now funds some studies on

alternative therapies, but these studies are still relatively few.

Many alternative therapies are thus marketed using testimonials. While the claim that someone has been cured of disease such as cancer

or multiple sclerosis using a new therapy can be impressive, there are at least 3 main problems with relying on testimonials. The first is that just

because a product works for one person, there is no way of knowing it will help others with similar problems. Even if a product is genuinely

effective, there is no way of knowing from reading a testimonial whether it helps 1%, 10% or 90% of those using it. Those who are not helped

by a product do not write testimonials.

Testimonials also do not rule out placebo effects. Placebos can be very powerful, and even serious diseases have been cured through

the power of belief. Ultimately, if someone is cured by a placebo it�s as valid a cure as if they were cured by a treatment, but it is useful to

demonstrate that a new treatment works better than a placebo.

Finally, there is no way of knowing that a testimonial is genuine. Unscrupulous companies could create false testimonials to impress the

gullible, and no one would be the wiser.

In early 2006 I learned of a promising new product, Natural Cellular Defense (NCD), that could be very effective in treating cancer,

heavy metal toxicity and chronic viral infections. Because it has been patented, some research has been done. One of their claims is hard for

me to believe - they say it was given to 65 patients with terminal metastatic cancer and 78% of them went into complete remission, with no

evidence of cancer. This study has not yet been published, but if true would be among the greatest discoveries of all time. While I�m somewhat

skeptical, I am also hopeful because a holistic doctor I know and respect, Gabriel Cousins, MD, has been evaluating this product and believes it

is a powerful detoxifier. (2008 update: my skepticism proved correct. This cancer study was never published and it appears that the aforementioned

claims were withdrawn. I do believe that reducing our body burden of heavy metals is one of the best ways to reduce risk of cancer, but no of no

evidence at this time that zeolite helps to directly treat cancer).

I want to see for myself how well it works, so am currently planning to conduct a research study involving assessing subjects� levels of heavy

metals, giving them the product for 3 months and then retesting heavy metal levels.

2008 update: At the time I wrote this article, I was enthusiastic about conducting a formal study and proposed it to the manufacturer/distributor, hoping

that they would co-operate and provide the product at no charge for patients in the study. To my disappointment and dismay, my proposals fell upon deaf

ears. Thus, I did not conduct a formal study, but I have monitored the patients I have recommended use NCD by testing their levels of metals before and after.

The difference between what I did and a formal study is that, rather than using a standard dose and repeating the test at a standard interval , I gave patients

individualized dose recommendations and retested at differing intervals. Also, some patients using it were doing other treatments to support detoxification

concurrently, whereas in a formal study I would give NCD alone. However, having monitored the use of NCD on close to 100 patients I have seen evidence

of significant lowering of metals in the vast majority.

The way I test heavy metal burdens is with a test called a provocative challenge. We administer two chelating medications intravenously; DMPS, which is

the most effective pharmaceutical chelator of mercury, and EDTA, the best lead chealtor. Both of these medications also chelate (bind to) a variety of other

metals, such as cadmium and aluminum. After the IV, patients collect urine for 6 hours and the levels of heavy metal excreted in the urine is measured. There

is no safe level of these metals, but I like to see the level of mercury at least below 10 micrograms per gram of creatinine, and the level of lead below 15. The

first patient I tested NCD on had a mercury level of 44 (which is quite elevated, higher than 95% of the people I test) and a lead level of 21. We used only

NCD to treat, and 3 months later a retest shoed the mercury had decreased to 24 and the lead to 14. This was a very impressive result. Another subject I will

mention is myself. In 10/07 my mercury level (after having amalgam fillings removed from my teeth) was 21. In July of 2008 it had come down to 7.1. The only

treatment I did was NCD and homeopathic medicines. While not everyone has had such impressive results, almost everyone using NCD has shown some improvement.

While I am impressed with NCD, I have not always been impressed with the company, Waiora, that distributes it. In general, I�m not the biggest fan of multi-

level marketing companies. It seems that the products often cost more than they should so that many people can take a profit. Recently, a respected colleague,

Dr. Garry Gordon, has developed a similar zeolite-based product called Advanced Cellular Zeolite, which is more affordable than NCD. However, I find myself

in a similar position now regarding this new product as I was regarding NCD when I first wrote this article. I am satisfied by my informal research that NCD is an

effective product, but I will need to test Dr. Gordon�s Zeolite on patients (and myself) for awhile before I can recommend it with total confidence.

I look forward to putting it to the test�

I have recently learned of a website filled with testimonials by other doctors who have used it

in their practices. While the above-stated limitations of testimonials still apply, I tend to

be more impressed with testimonials from practitoners than those by patients, probably due to my

hope that doctors will be more objective and reliable observers:

http://www.liquidzeolite.org/testimonials/doctors.html

Those who wish to try Natural Cellular Defense may purchase

it at our office, or order it directly online via clicking on this link to access the proper website page:

http://www.mywaiora.com/746741

IMPROVING HEALTH, PREVENTING ILLNESS AND DISCOVERING HIDDEN FOOD ALLERGIES BY DETOXIFYING
     Spring is here and that means (among other things) it's time for my annual column on detoxification. Detoxification is an essential
component of virtually every traditional system of healing, yet is conspicuously absent from mainstream western medicine. Much of the
work I do as a healer involves helping my patients clear toxins out of their systems. Periodic detoxification is crucial to both achieving
and maintaining optimal health.
I advise every adult to do a detoxification program at least once a year. According to Chinese medicine, spring is the optimal
season to detoxify. Thus, every year during late April and the month of May I do a cleanse for 2-3 weeks and I encourage you to join
me. Most people feel more clear and energetic after a cleanse, lose several pounds and experience improvement in symptoms such as
headaches, allergies, muscle and joint pains, and abdominal distress. After a cleanse I become more aware of how my diet affects me
and tend to eat a healthier diet for many months.
      We all need to detoxify because our world is becoming increasingly toxic. The U.S. produces over 6 billion pounds of
pollutants every year, more than 20 pounds for every man, woman and child. Every person on earth has numerous toxins including mercury,
lead, pesticides, herbicides, PCB's, dioxins, bisphenyl A, phthalates and fire retardants - even newborn babies who are exposed in utero.
While doing our best to minimize toxic exposures on a daily basis is invaluable, it is impossible to avoid them totally. For example, lead
is released into the environment thru the burning of coal. When it rains the soil accumulates residues of lead and other airborne toxins.
Thus, even organic produce can have significant levels of lead. Environmental toxins contribute to or cause numerous diseases
including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases and autism.
Another advantage of doing a detoxification diet is it's a great way to discover if one is allergic to certain foods. Every
doctor recognizes that some people are allergic to foods, but mainstream medicine primarily recognizes the immediate reactions
precipitated by foods such as peanuts and shellfish, which are mediated by a type of antibody called IgE. However, far more common
are delayed reactions mediated by IgG antibodies. Such reactions can include headaches, muscle and joint pains, abdominal distress,
fatigue, anxiety and depression. They most often are caused by foods such as dairy, eggs, wheat and soy, food that many of us eat virtually
every day. Because these reactions occur hours after eating the foods, it tends to be very difficult to associate eating those foods
with the symptoms that follow.
        When we eat a food we are allergic to, we tend to feel stimulated initially, like a sugar or caffeine buzz, then over time feel
progressively worse. We often then crave the food we are allergic to because they help us feel better temporarily, like a smoker craving
their next cigarette, and thus become addicted to the foods we are allergic to. A detox diet involves avoiding the foods we are most
likely to be allergic to for at least a week, breaking this pattern and allowing us to determine if that food is a problem for us.
        The heart of a detox program is very simple- eating only organic fruits, vegetables, gluten-free grains and certain nuts and seeds for
a length of time while supporting the organs of detoxification. A cleansing diet avoids foods that tend to be toxic as well as foods
that are difficult to digest or are commonly allergenic. The most common allergens are dairy, eggs, wheat and other glutenous grains
(such as rye, oats and barley), soy, corn, peanuts and almonds. Those with arthritis should also avoid citrus and nightshades (tomatoes,
potatoes, eggplant, and peppers). One should generally avoid foods of animal origin, with the possible exception of organic chicken and
turkey, wild salmon, sardines, and purified fish oil. Thus, a cleansing diet is primarily organic fruits and vegetables and
non-glutenous grains (rice, millet, quinoa and amaranth), as well as beans (though I advise avoiding kidney beans as they are a relatively
common allergen), seeds, and olive, flax, hempseed, sunflower and coconut oils. Many foods can be eaten raw. Steaming is a great and
simple method to prepare vegetables. Once started on this, you will find it really is not that big a deal to maintain for awhile. I know many
people who follow a similar diet most of the time. Even after adding the foods one has been avoiding back, one might maintain a healthy
diet of predominantly organic vegetables and fruits for a long time (after a cleanse I often will indulge a bit in heavier foods on the weekends
and go back to a modified cleansing-type diet during weekdays).
       After starting on this diet, one may go even deeper by having only raw fruits and vegetables for a few days (or longer), then progress
(if desired) to a juice fast.for a day (or a few days). However, if avoiding protein foods for more than a couple of days it is wise to take about
30 grams of protein as a rice or hempseed protein powder. Our body needs this much protein each day, and if we don't get it from our diet
our muscles start to break down. Perhaps the best source of protein on a cleanse is organic undenatured whey protein from grass-fed cows,
as it is the best way to raise our levels of glutathione, a crucial antioxidant. However, for the purpose of testing if one is allergic to dairy, I
advise not using whey for about a week before adding it in. Even if one does not react to undenatured whey, they may react to other dairy
products, which contain casein (one may also find they react to pasteurized dairy and not raw dairy).
        After doing the raw food or juice fast section of the cleanse, one can start to add some cooked foods back, then start to add back foods
like corn, wheat and soy back one at a time. Just as many people sensitive to pasteurized dairy may tolerate undenatured whey, many who
sensitive to soy protein do okay with soy sauce, so one may add organic wheat-free tamari back relatively early in the cleanse if desired,
challenging with soy protein such as tofu or tempeh later in the cleanse.
      Vitamins, minerals, superfoods like chlorella wheatgrass and herbs are also helpful in supporting detoxification. Herbs such as
milk thistle, dandelion root, yellow dock, red clover, cleavers, licorice and echinacea support detox. I like products like ProGreens, a
powder containing greens like wheatgrass and chlorella, a min of herbs and probiotics, made by Allergy Research Group.
     Homeopathic "drainage formulas" can also help us to detoxify. While I specialize in classical homeopathy, I like the Pekana Detoxification
and Drainage program, which has 3 combination remedies as tinctures that support the liver, kidneys and lymphatics.
   Intestinal cleansing is an essential part of a detox program. As we cleanse, heavy metals and other fat-soluble toxins are excreted by
our livers into our bile, which is then excreted into the intestines. Without help, many of these toxins are reabsorbed into our bodies.
Chlorella, modified citrus pectin and certain algae extracts bind the toxins in the bile to prevent them from being reabsorbed as they pass
through our GI tract. Many people have unfriendly yeast, bacteria and parasites that flood our bodies with toxins. Fiber, laxative fruits and
herbs such as triphala, prunes, aloe and cascara sagrada can help ensure at least 2 bowel movements a day during a cleanse. Good
sources of fiber include ground flax seeds and psyllium. Unfortunately, most psyllium products contain pesticide residues but an organic
psyllium is now available at my office, some local health food stores and online, distributed by Organic India (www.organicindia.com).
Enemas and colonics can also be beneficial. Probiotics help rebalance intestinal flora.
One can help the kidneys detoxify by drinking plenty of pure water (filtered, spring or distilled). An interesting product called
Cellfood (www.cellfood.com) can be added to water to make it even more supportive of detox, by increasing the oxygen
content of water (by catalyzing a chemical reaction that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen ions which are powerful antioxidants),
adding trace minerals and balancing pH.    Toxins are also excreted by the skin and through our lymphatic channels. Massage (especially
lymphatic massage), dry skin brushing, moderate exercise, hot baths and saunas facilitate this process. Jumping on a rebounder supports
lymphatic circulation. Natural Cellular Defense (www.mywaiora.com/746741) , a product containing zeolite, a volcanic mineral that helps
detox heavy metals, can also be a useful tool when cleansing.
It is important to get plenty of rest during a cleanse. Other useful adjuncts include acupuncture and classical homeopathy.
    Our emotions also effect detoxification. Emotions such as anger, resentment and fear can impair our ability to detoxify. Many
people turn to comfort foods as a reaction to stress. During a cleanse we avoid our comfort foods, so it is especially important to
find other ways to reduce stress. Taking time to rest, meditate, contemplate and deal with unresolved emotions is an important aspect
of properly detoxifying.
   Ending a cleanse properly is crucial. It is wise to reintroduce the foods we have avoided individually and gradually, as experiencing
adverse symptoms within several hours of reintroducing a food is a sign of being sensitive to it.
     Doing a cleanse is seldom easy. It is challenging to give up the foods we are accustomed to eating regularly, including addictive foods
like sugar, dairy and wheat. We may experience strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms and must find other ways of dealing with stress
besides eating comfort foods. We inevitably re-examine our relationship to food and have the opportunity to clear negative
emotions as well as physical toxins. However, the first days are the hardest days and once we have gotten started we feel better and
better.
    As I write this today (4/24/08) I have been on my cleanse for 5 days and feel great. I started by cutting out fried foods and sweets, then
ate soley organic foods, then cut out organic animal foods (chicken and wild seafood), then cutout dairy, eggs, gluten, corn and soy, so I am
now basically eating delicious salads (with lettuce, tomatoes,carrots, onions, avocadoes (which add body and texture and are very nutritious),
sprouts (sunflower sprouts, sprouted beans, MicroGreens), red cabbage, sunchokes (crisp and crunchy, supportive of intestinal flora), sugar snap
peas, sesame and poppy seeds, and raisins) with balsalmic vinegar and flax oil dressing, along with steamed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli etc.)
and some sweet potatoes, as well as some rice, quinoa and rice crackers, vegetable soups and some fruit like goji berries, apples, tangerines
and local organic strawberries. While it took a bit of effort to get to this stage, I'm feeling wonderful and hope to maintain this cleanse for a few more
weeks.
   When cleansing some people feel worse at first. As mentioned, this is most often due to withdrawal from allergenic foods. If one is feeling
worse after the first 3 or 4 days they are likely not providing enough support to their organs of detoxification. It is best to detoxify under the
supervision of a qualified health professional.
       Three great articles on doing a cleanse by my friend and colleague Elson Haas MD can be found at
http://www.healthy.net/scr/MainLinks.asp?Id=34
        An interesting site on detoxification by swishing cold-pressed sunflower oil in one's mouth is www.oilpulling.com
        Some fine articles on the prevalence of environmental toxicity and how we can reduce ourindividual footprints on the environment can be found
at www.odemagazine.com/backIssue.php?oID=208
       Good luck and blessings to all of you who do a cleanse!

Lyme Disease Update
by Randy S. Baker, MD

Lyme Disease is sometimes called the Hidden Epidemic and the Great Imitator. Until a few years ago
I believed it was uncommon in our area. Two patients with chronic fatigue and joint pains insisted I
test them for Lyme. When both tested positive, I began to realize Lyme was far from uncommon in
our area. Since then, my associate, Cynthia Quattro PA, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine,
and I have diagnosed and treated many patients with Lyme Disease. Most of these
people were previously diagnosed with conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia,
Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis and had not suspected the underlying cause was Lyme Disease. This
column updates my previous column on Lyme.
                Lyme Disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria transmitted by the deer tick. A
recent study found that 17.8% of deer ticks in Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos carry this bacteria.
Some researchers feel that Lyme can also be transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas, spiders and mites, but
this is not widely accepted. There is also good evidence that Lyme may be sexually transmitted,
passed to babies in utero, and passed via blood transfusions. No one knows how many Americans
are infected, but estimates range from 2 million to more than 20 million.
                Acute Lyme Disease is characterized by a classic rash with a bullseye pattern surrounding
the site of a tick bit. However, less than half of patients with Lyme develop this rash, and about one
half of patients with confirmed Lyme do not recall a tick bite (The ticks most likely to transmit Lyme
are the nymphs, which are about the size of a poppyseed. Someone could be bitten by such a tick and
it could then move on without one realizing they had been bitten). Other acute symptoms include
fever and a flu-like illness.
                After this, Lyme Disease progresses to a chronic phase. Characteristic symptoms include
fatigue, migratory joint pains and swelling (especially the large joints), muscle aches,
temporomandibular joint pain, jawbone and tooth infections, heart arrhythmias and insomnia. Lyme
also can cause a wide variety of neurological symptoms, including Bell�s Palsy, poor memory and
concentration, fluctuating vision, tingling and numbness. Brain MRIs of Lyme patients can be
indistinguishable from the MRI appearance of Multiple Sclerosis. A respected colleague, Dietrich
Klinghardt, MD, Ph.D., has found that about half of patients diagnosed with MS actually have Lyme
Disease. Some patients diagnosed with ALS have been found to have Lyme.
                Both the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease are very controversial. The test that
most doctors rely on to screen for Lyme, the ELISA, is positive in less than half of patients with
Lyme. Thus, many patients who suffer from Lyme are told they don�t have it on the basis of this
inaccurate test. A much more sensitive test is the Western Blot but some patients with Lyme may
have negative tests. Experts differ in opinions as to how to interpret test results and what
constitutes a positive test. Some labs are much more accurate and reliable than others. IGeneX Lab
in Palo Alto (http://www.igenex.com/) is one of the best labs for Lyme testing.
If one is fortunate enough to be diagnosed and treated within a few weeks of being
exposed to the Lyme bacteria, it will usually respond to three-four weeks of doxycycline, an
antibiotic. However, most cases of Lyme are not diagnosed until years after exposure. The standard
treatment recommendation is antibiotics for four weeks, but many Lyme specialists feel that
antibiotics for at least six months, and sometimes even for years, are necessary. Often these are
powerful antibiotics that must be given by intravenous or intramuscular injection and which cause
significant side effects. Of greater concern, many patients are not cured despite this intensive
treatment. This is related to the many mechanisms borrelia bacteria use to resist and elude
antibiotics. The borrelia bacteria has a more genes than any known bacteria, which helps make it
very adaptable, easily developing resistance to antibiotics. Borrelia can also morph into what is
known as an L-form, which does not have a cell wall and lives inside our body�s cells, including white
blood cells. Many antibiotics work by attacking the cell wall, but these antibiotics are ineffective
against the L form. Also, it is not easy for antibiotics to enter inside our cells in signicicant
concentrations. Borrelia can also morph into an inactive cyst stage which is resistant to virtualy all
antibiotics, but once someone stops taking antibiotics the inactive cysts will change back into the
active form.
                Lyme Disease is best treated with a holistic approach. Usually Lyme patients have multiple
stresses on the immune system. It is crucial to address Lyme within this context. In my
experience,the sicker the patient is, the greater the number of other stressors will be found.
My first step is to identify and treat these other immune stressors, such as tick-transmitted
coinfections such as Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Bartonella, intestinal imbalances such as parasites,
yeast and bacterial dysbiosis, and chronic bacterial, viral and fungal infections (such as dental
infections and sinusitis). Many Lyme patients also have toxicity from mercury and other heavy
metals (it is thought that Lyme infection interferes with the body�s ability to excrete heavy metals).
                Immune suppression is common in Lyme patients. Renowned Lyme specialist Dr. Raphael
Stricker has found that most Lyme patients have low activity of CD 57 cells, a subset of Natural Killer
Cells. Immune function can be boosted via proper nutrition, herbs and supplements such as transfer
factor and medicinal mushrooms. Intravenous vitamins, acupuncture, homeopathy and mind-body
techniques can also boost immunity.
                Many practitioners (including myself) have found herbs to be as effective (and often more
effective) as antibiotics in treating Lyme. Cat�s Claw, andrographis, Hu Zhang and sarsaparilla are
among the most effective. Other herbs, such as artemesia and cryptolepsis treat coinfectons like
babesiosis.
                Bee venom therapy is another powerful weapon against Lyme. Bee venom contains
mellitin, a chemical that inhibits the growth of the Lyme bacteria at a concentration lower than any
known drug. Bee venom is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent which can ameliorate painful
joints and muscles common in Lyme patients. I have had Lyme patients experience tremendous
long-lasting relief after as little as two injections.
                Homeopathy can be another powerful therapy for Lyme. Patients who took antibiotics for
years with only limited improvement have had their symptoms totally resolve by using classical
homeopathy.
               Another fascinating alternative treatment is Rife machines, which use electromagnetic
energy to treat microbes (info on a book on the use of Rife Machines for treating Lyme can be found
at http://www.lymebook.com/lyme-disease-rife-machines-bryan-rosner).
Some of my patients have greatly benefited by using these devices.
                Many of the symptoms caused by Lyme are due to fat-soluble neurotoxins produced by
the borrelia bacteria. When treatment kills these bacteria even more toxins are released, creating a
Jacob-Herxheimer or �die-off� reaction causing symptoms to worsen. An essential component of
Lyme treatment is clearing these toxins from the body. Supporting the liver and other organs of
detoxification with herbs, homeopathics, acupuncture and nutrients can ameliorate these symptoms,
as can far-infrared saunas. David Jernigan, a chiropractor and author of Beating Lyme Disease, has
developed some of my favorite herbal products for clearing neurotoxins. His website is
www.jnutra.com
                One of the newer alternative approaches to Lyme is the Marshall Protocol, based on the
theory that Lyme is one of many chronic infections that cause disruption of Vitamin D metabolism.
Treatment involves avoiding sunlight and a wide variety of foods and supplements that raise vitamin
D levels while taking Benicar, a drug that blocks Vitamin D receptors, and minocycline, an antibiotic.
My feeling is that there is a subset of Lyme patients who will benefit from this complex protocol, but
that ii is not applicable to all Lyme patients. 2 of my most severely ill Lymenpatients who had had
limited improvement with other treatments seem to be doing well on the Marshall protocol. Detailed
information on the Marhall protocol can be found at http://www.marshallprotocol.com/
Having Lyme Disease can be very stressful. Stress reduction, psychosocial support and
mind-body therapies (including homeopathy) are also an important part of a holistic approach to
treatment.
                There is a huge amount of information on Lyme disease available in books and on the
internet. A good palce to start is with my favorite article on Lyme, by Dietrich Klinghardt MD,Ph.D.,
Lyme Disease: A Look Beyond Antibiotics. One can find it by going to http://
www.neuraltherapy.com/articlesProtocols.asp and clicking on the appropriate link. There are some
other great articles there as well.
Another valuable resource is www.ilads.org (this is the International Lyme and Associated
Diseases Society). www.dr-zhang.com has information on treating Lyme Disease with Chinese
herbs. www.samento.com.ec has a lot of information on Cat's Claw and Lyme Disease.
My favorite books on Lyme are:
Healing Lyme: Natural Healing And Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis And Its Coinfections -- by Stephen
Harrod Buhner, available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/
0970869630/103-6368232-3368631?v=glance&n=283155 and finer bookstores everywhere.
FANTASTIC!
A relatively new and well written book is The Lyme Disease Solution by Kenneth Singleton MD, available at http://www.amazon.com/Lyme-Disease-Solution-Kenneth-Singleton/dp/1934812005/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218602297&sr=8-1

Beating Lyme Disease: Using Alternative Medicine and God-Designed Living -- by David A. Jernigan,
Sara Koch Jernigan; apparently out of print but available ato download as an ebook at a nominla charge at http://jnutra.com Some of this information is
somewhat speculative (or at least not referenced in the manner of Buhner's book) but it is very intriguing and most of it feels quite accurate to me.

When Antibiotics Fail: Lyme Disease and Rife Machines, with Critical Evaluation of Leading Alternative
Therapies &
The Top 10 Lyme Treatments: Defeat Lyme Disease with the Best of Conventional and Alternative
Medicine
-- by Bryan Rosner; available at http://www.lymebook.com

The ultimate guide to antibiotic therapy for Lyme,  with interesting insights into diagnosis,
nutritional support, exercise etc.: Dr. Burascano's Treatment Guidlines, available at http://
www.lymenet.org/links.shtml

An informative interview with Dr. Fritz Schardt about
fluconazole for Chronic Lyme: http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/2795/
searchtext/a%20new%20approach%20to%20chronic%20lyme/

Over 12,000(!!!) categorized links on Lyme Disease, available at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/lyme-links.html

Happy surfing...

THE FASCINATING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN INFECTIONS, HEAVY METALS AND EMOTIONS

Medical research shows that many chronic illnesses are caused by infections. For example, virtually
all patients suffering from chronic fatigue have a variety of chronic infections, ranging from Lyme
disease to mycoplasma to chronic viral infections such as Human Herpes Virus 6 and human
parainfluenza virus. Infections have been found to play a role in many autoimmune diseases, such
as rheumatoid arthritis and colitis. There is even evidence that infections play a significant role in the
cause of atherosclerosis (causing cardiovascular disease) and in a variety of cancers (for example,
periodontal disease is associated with heart disease and human papilloma virus with cervical cancer).

While recognizing the role of infections in disease is crucial, it brings up the question of the
importance of the microbe versus the terrain. In other words, while most doctors view microbes
(bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) as the main cause of infection, holistic practitioners tend to
view the biological terrain (in other words, the field in which the infection grows, which is determined
by the health of the patient) as of even more importance. If we are healthy our bodies can resist and
fight off infections, and if we have a weakened immune system due to physiological and
psychological stresses, infections will take hold and flourish.

There is growing evidence that one of the primary factors that determine our susceptibility to
infection is heavy metal toxicity. There is evidence that the average person alive today has 1000
times as much lead in their body as the average person who lived 500 years ago. An even more
dangerous toxin is mercury, which many people accumulate secondary to silver amalgam dental
fillings (which mostly contain mercury) and from seafood such as tuna and swordfish. When metals
such as mercury accumulate in our tissues, enzymes become damaged and blocked, acid/alkaline
balance is disrupted, electrical conductivity is altered, mineral balance is disrupted and cell
membranes become dysfunctional and hyperpermeable. Microbes thrive in this altered mileu.

Some microbes may even protect our bodies. For example, candida and molds have a strong ability
to bind mercury. Often people with mercury toxicity develop yeast overgrowth, and the yeast may
soak up much of the mercury within them. Killing the yeast releases mercury back into them, and
may thus do more harm than good unless one is actively doing treatments to detoxify metals.

While we are all exposed to heavy metals, some individuals do a good job of excreting them while
others tend to accumulate them. About 15% of the population has genetic deficits interfering with
metal detoxification (for example, most autistic children have such deficits). However, Dietrich
Klinghardt MD PhD has found that psychoemotional trauma resulting in unresolved psychological
issues interferes with our ability to eliminate heavy metals. Trauma causes abnormal limbic systen
activity in brain, leading to imbalances in the hypothalamus, leading to autonomic nervous system
dysfunction that allows metals to accumulate in specific organs related to the nature of the
unresolved emotions. For example, a history of fear and shock leads to metals accumulating in the
kidneys, whereas unresolved anger leads to liver toxicity, while lack of nurturing in childood leads to
intestinal dysfuntion.

Thus, one will not successfully treat chronic infections without addressing the underlying metal
toxicty, but can not fully clear metal toxicity without adressing both the microbes that may store the
metals and the unresolved emotional issues that prevent the body from releasing the metals. This
requires a truly integrative approach involving a variety of carefully applied modalities.

Dr. Klinghardt theorizes that in general, the level of microbes in one�s body is roughly equivalent to
the level of heavy metals in one�s body, which is equivalent to the amount of unresolved emotional
trauma a person holds. While I feel this is a sound general concept, the level of heavy metals in our
system is certainly also related to the degree to which we have been exposed to them in our
environment (for example, people with several silver-mercury amalgam fillings tend to have higher
body burdens of mercury than those who don�t), and genetics also influences how well we excrete
these toxins. Also, having chronic infections and high levels of metals can adversely affect our
mental and endocrine function, contributing to emotional distress.

In order to truly help people to heal, one must address emotions, metals and infections. The most
challenging (and often most crucial) area to address is the psychological realm. Virtually everyone
has experienced significant emotional trauma at some point in their life. Many people experience
significant emotional trauma in early childhood and often do not consciously recall this trauma.
While psychotherapy can be helpful, many people carry significant emotional scars even after years
of psychotherapy.

A variety of innovative techniques can help people to heal from emotional trauma. These techniques
include hypnosis, EMDR and <A HREF=�http://www.emofree.com/�>Emotional Freedom
Technique</A>/<A HREF=�http://quantumtechniques.com/�>Quantum Technique</A>.
Homeopathy (particularly constitutional homeopathy) and acupuncture can also be invaluable.

Releasing emotional traumas allows the organ systems related to these emotions to release their
toxins (and to respond better to detoxification therapies) and as the levels of toxins lowers, these
organs become less weakened and thus a less conducive environment for mirobes to thrive.
Responsiveness to antimicrobial therapies thus improves. However, as these microbes die, more
toxins are released into the system, requiring further detoxifiction therapies.

To read a more detailed article on this subject from the source, Dietrich Klinghardt MD PhD, go <A
HREF=�http://www.neuraltherapy.com/a_metals_disease.asp�>here</A>. More articles by him can
be found at http://www.neuraltherapy.com/articlesProtocols.asp.

PREVENTING AND TREATING COLDS AND FLU

As cold and flu season returns, there are many ways to boost immune function
and prevent illness. We are frequently exposed to viruses and bacteria,
but if our immunity is strong we can avoid infections.
Avoiding contact with those who are ill, frequently washing hands after potential
contact with sources of germs, and avoiding touching one's nose and mouth with
yo