FROM THE DESK OF DR. INGRID PINCOTT, ND

We wish you all a very healthy and prosperous New Year!

1996 is the 100th anniversary of Naturopathic Medicine in North America!

Dr. Pincott will be very busy these next few months teaching. These classes include Homeopathic First Aid in the Home; Menopause Naturally; Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis; Naturopathic Medicine in The Home; and Superbugs and How to Fight Them. Please contact the office for details on registration.

Are you still battling cold and flu bugs? The following two courses will teach you rudimentary components of self treatment that will allow you and your family to recover much more quickly; Homeopathic First Aid and Naturopathic Treatments in the Home.

Add this one to your list of new year's resolutions! Get enough sleep! 54% of 1000 people polled said that they did not get enough sleep, even though 75% of these people said that sleep loss is bad for their health.
(Vancouver Sun, May 20.1994)

Environmental illness and multiple chemical sensitivities are presenting themselves more and more in doctors offices. If you have any recurring symptoms that just won't go away consider your exposure to chemicals. For example: exposure to photocopier toner dust for a long period may contribute to the lung disease "siderosilicosis", which is common in miners and is caused by the inhalation of fine particles of silicon and iron. Symptoms include cough, headache and breathlessness. Symptoms generally improve once the exposure is curtailed, however lung damage may result.
(The Medical Post)

The overuse of antibiotics is a real threat and is one reason drug resistant diseases such as TB, staph and pneumonia are on the rise. However the unsuspecting consumer is also getting an overdose of antibiotics through the ingestion of animal products. Ranchers don't need a prescription to obtain antibiotics for their livestock. They simply go to the local feed store and purchase enormous quantities which they mix into the animal feed.
(Diet For a Poisoned Planet, Steinman)

Vitamin C is the major antioxidant substance in the airway surface area of the lung: therefore it appears that asthmatics have a higher need for Vitamin C. Since 1973, 7 of the 11 studies on Vit.C. supplementation in asthma has shown significant improvement with 1-2 grams of Vit. C. per day.
(AmJCNutr 61 6255-305,1995.)

Chronic ear infections affect 30% of children under the age of 6 and account for over 50% of all visits to pediatricians. The standard medical treatment consists of antibiotics, antihistamines, and possibly "tubes". In a number of studies there were no significant differences in the clinical course of ear infections when the treatments were compared to placebo. In a recent study the role of allergy and ear infection has been firmly established. 85% of these children had allergies; 16% to inhalants, 14% to food, and 70% to both. Elimination diets led to an 86% amelioration on symptoms and 94% had a recurrence of the ear infection when the suspected offending foods were reintroduced. The list of the most allergic foods are dairy 38%, egg 25%, peanut, 20% soy 17%.
(Annal Allergy 73: 215-9, 1994)

It has been hypothesized that low serum cholesterol (4.14mmol/L or 160 mg% or lower), reduces the brain chemical serotonin which, in turn, may result in depression.
(The Lancet, Jan. 1993)

It is impossible to avoid toxic heavy metals entirely, therefore it is wise to protect the body with dietary measures. High fiber diets and sea vegetables tend to sweep these minerals out of the body. Selenium is an antidote for mercury; Vitamin C acts to remove all toxic minerals from the body.
(Nutritional and Mental Health, Fall 1993).

Two new soft cover books available for sale at the office are: Breast Cancer: What You Should Know (But May Not Be Told) About Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment. by Steve Austin and Cathy Hitchcock.
Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis. by Alan Gaby

Another excellent book you should add to your medical reference library is Diet For a Poisoned Planet, How to Choose Safe Foods for You and Your Family. by David Steinman. Mr. Steinman really does sift through all the hard to find research and gives you the bottom line regarding healthy food choices. For instance raisins and peanuts should be avoided at all costs unless they are organic. Cod fish from Canada is virtually pollution free! Lots of vegetables and fruits are laced with pesticide residues however they are infinitely better to eat than animal products laced with pesticides. Give up the meat products first (unless they are organic) and stick to your vegetarian sources for the most toxin free diet.