During my 25 years of practice, I've had the opportunity to treat patients with a wide variety of conditions-- acid reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and migraines, to name a few. But I find that whether a patient walks into my office with an allergy, emotional issue, or nutritional problem, they often share one similarity: they are trying to "manage" their condition with prescription medication. This is especially true of patients over the age of 50, many of whom take between five and eight medications each day. But this is not necessary; I use an eclectic combination of holistic methods to treat even the most dangerous ailments, including the 5Hs: High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, High Blood Sugar, Heavy Metals and Herpes. I also help patients make lifestyle changes that can either prevent their conditions or reduce their effect on our lives.
Let's start with high blood pressure, a condition that affects one in four Americans. Why do so many people have high blood pressure? Many of those people could normalize their blood pressure by adhering to a healthy lifestyle. I strongly recommend the DASH diet, a high fiber, low sodium regimen that is scientifically sound and, along with Mediterranean Diet, is often rated the #1 diet.
High blood sugar is another major concern. In recent years, diabetes has reached near-epidemic proportions. Approximately 25 million Americans have diabetes, with another 75 million teetering on the cusp. This disease does not discriminate, either. It affects people of all races, religions and socioeconomic groups. In fact, several celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Mary Tyler Moore, all suffer from either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Most worrisome, however, is the so called "pre-diabetic generation". The CDC predicts that in the next ten years, 30% of our children will become diabetic. In my experience, once a patient starts taking medication for diabetes, it is only a matter of time before they need insulin shots on a daily basis. It's like a run-away train, one that may take fifteen years off your life. The question becomes, how can we stop this? Just as prohibition did not stop people from consuming alcohol, outlawing soda and candy will not prevent people from consuming sweets. Since diabetes is much easier to prevent than it is to treat, the key is stick to a healthy regimen before there is a problem. This means limiting one's sweets, carbs, and alcohol. Exercise is also a huge factor in lowering blood sugar.
High cholesterol has been portrayed as the main culprit for heart disease, which is the #1 killer of Americans. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined, and 90% of women have one or more risk factors. But that's not the whole story. People with normal cholesterol also have heart attacks. People with abnormally high cholesterol don't necessarily have heart attacks. This means that while high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, it is not the cause. It is also an indication that your body is fighting some kind of inflammation, infection, stress or toxicity.
For an accurate picture of the effects high cholesterol has on your heart, I recommend renowned cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra's book, The Great Cholesterol Myth. Dr. Dean Ornish's Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease is also an excellent source of information. Ornish advocates vegetarianism, a position he backs up with scientific research. After 25 years of persistence, Dr. Ornish has convinced Medicare to put its stamp of approve on his program and provide reimbursement.
This is one of those areas with a heavy reliance on prescription meds. Americans spend $29 billion a year on Lipitor and other cholesterol medications; this means they get a lot of positive press. Now the FDA is considering whether children should be taking statin drugs as a strategy for preventing heart disease. As an alternative, I recommend the Vita Heart Cholesterol Health supplement; it is an effective, natural approach to reducing cholesterol.
I treat a lot of toddlers, and I often find myself testing for the presence of heavy metals in their bodies. Parents will do anything to figure out what is causing their child's Autism, Asthma or Eczema, and they ask me to find whether their child has heavy metal toxicity. Hair analysis, for example, is an excellent way to determine one's levels of mercury and aluminum. -But where do these heavy metals come from? Is it fish? Is it pots & pans? Is it underarm deodorant from the parent, or from the additives in the vaccines? It's difficult to know, but most all the children I see under the age of five are contaminated with heavy metals.
Last, but certainly not least, is Herpes, also known as the "silent" infection because people are often unaware that they have it. It is extremely common; an estimated 20% of the population has it, and 80% of them are unaware of it. This is due in part to the fact that herpes can be spread not just through intercourse, but through kissing as well. About one million new cases are reported each year, but what about the cases that are not reported? In my opinion, half of the country most likely has herpes. In Australia, the government page states that 75% of adults have herpes (HSV1). Women are twice as likely as men to have HSV2. Do Australians have more sex than Americans, or are they just better about staying informed about their health status?
Current research indicates that herpes viruses are linked to well known diseases, such as Bipolar Disorder, Crohn's disease, MS, and Pancreatic Cancer. In my holistic practice, I have cleared patients of Epstein-Barr Virus, influenza, HIV and other viruses. These viruses often lead to other serious conditions. A middle-aged man came to my office for holistic support in dealing with his prostate cancer. After several treatments, I intuitively sensed his cancer had been caused by herpes. I shared this possibility with his MD, who ordered a blood test. When the test came back positive for herpes, I then had the opportunity to heal the patient of this condition.
Most medical conditions, including the 5Hs, have an emotional component as well. High Blood Pressure, for example, has been linked to anger and fear. I recently read about a study that found that racism may trigger high blood pressure. Therefore, when I treat people with high blood pressure, I always make sure to release any negative emotions that have been attached to the body since childhood. Sometimes I even find these emotions in the patient's subconscious or spirit. Oftentimes, even long-term residual feelings, like bad memories, can be released instantaneously.
There is no substitute for a positive healthy lifestyle and recreational activity. Typically, when a patient starts taking medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, it is for life. They never get off the meds. The number one priority for a healthy lifestyle is constructive thinking, seeing the glass as "half full". Make yourself happy. Moderation is the key. Indulgences are okay as long as you don't go overboard.
For 20 years, before moving to Atlanta, Dr. Mike treated many celebrities, top CEO's and world-class athletes in Los Angeles. He has toured the country treating colleagues and has been a participating health care provider at four Olympic Games. He developed the first U.S. patented for optimal absorption of comprehensive nutrients. He has spent the last 12 years at Plastikos Surgery Center & Millennium Health where he treats patients for a variety of issues. Dr. Mike's approach for improving health & performance is safe and effective.
