This is the same Naturopathic Medical School that Doctors Elizabeth Cantrell and Brenna Murphy attended. 

Dr. Mehmet Oz receives Honorary Degree from Bastyr University. 

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Our first class for the Clean Body Cleanse will be Tuesday, January 3rd @ 6:00pm.  This will be an introduction to cleanse.  Light refreshments will be served.    Let’s start the New Year off right!

This is one of the coolest demonstrations and explanations of how important exercise is to our health.

Click This Link To Find Out!

Jonathan Powell, ND

John Tesh has recently been warning against the dangers of colon cleansing on his radio program and his website.  He cites a study that was released from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in which the doctors warn against colonic hydrotherapy, herbal colon cleanses, and
pharmaceutical grade laxatives as if they are all one and the same.  This kind of disinformation is both unfortunate and misleading.

First, colonic hydrotherapy should always be administered by a health professional.  Extensive medical histories are taken from each patient in order to ensure the safety and appropriateness of colonic hydrotherapy.  Receiving a colonic from a Naturopathic doctor ensures knowledge of anatomy, infection control, and digestive physiology.  Mr. Tesh relates a case study involving a patient who should never have received a colonic due to a pre-existing condition of Crohn’s disease.  Rather than instruct his listeners to make sure that the clinician administering their colonic is qualified and all safety precautions are taken, Mr. Tesh implies that all colonics should be avoided.

Secondly, Mr. Tesh confuses herbal colon cleanses and laxative preparations with colonic hydrotherapy.  It is true that the use of herbal cleanses, pharmaceutical laxatives, and colonoscopy prep solutions without proper medical supervision can lead to electrolyte imbalances or worse.
However, Mr. Tesh again choses to sensationalize and warns against all forms of colon cleansing without differentiating between the various
forms.  Colonic hydrotherapy as practiced at Elements requires no herbal or pharmaceutical laxative.  In fact, we offer colonics as an alternative to traditional laxatives and stool softeners.

At Elements colonics are performed by health professionals using only FDA approved equipment.  You can make an appointment if you have
further questions.

Jonathan Powell, ND

Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Center for Alaska NativeHealth Research at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks jointly studied the health effects of a diet high in omega-3 fats from fish in Alaska’s Yup’ik Eskimos.  Yup’ik Eskimos consume twenty times more omega-3 fats from fish than the average American and the research suggests that these oils can prevent obesity-related illness such as diabetes
and heart disease.

The researchers studied 330 people living in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta.  Although seventy percent of this population could be categorized as overweight or obese, they did not show the same risk factors for heart disease than the overall US population.  Also, compared to U.S. citizens with similar weight and obesity issues, the Eskimos had a significantly lower rate of type 2 diabetes.

Fish oil supplementation should be a part of everyone’s daily regimen.  The doctors at Elements recommend Finest Pure Fish Oil from Pharmax.   One small serving daily can keep you feeling great.

As the days get shorter and the nights colder, we all gather with friends and family to share meals and holiday cheer.  At Elements we would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.  Let us help you bolster your immune system before you travel to see relatives and don’t forget to stock up on your digestive enzymes and probiotics before you eat all of that holiday food.  Enjoy the Season, and we will see you for our annual New Year’s Cleanse in January.

Adapted  from Aarti Sequeira

1 bunch Kale, stalks removed  and leaves thinly sliced            

1 lemon, juiced

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Sea salt

2 teaspoons honey

Freshly ground black pepper

1 mango, diced small (about 1 cup)

Small handful toasted pumpkin seeds (2 Tbsp)

Directions

In large serving bowl, add kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a little sea salt.  Massage until the kale starts to soften and
wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.  Set aside while you make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk remaining lemon juice with the honey and lots of freshly ground black pepper.  Stream in the ¼ cup of oil while
whisking until a dressing forms, and you like how it tastes.

Pour the dressing over thekale, and add the mango and pumpkin seeds.
Toss and serve.

Adapted from Food.com     

Ingredients

1 small pumpkin, halved and seeds removed (2 to 2 ½ pounds) or 1 small butternut  squash or 1 small acorn squash

1 cup water

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons salt-free butter (you may substitute more olive oil for butter)

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

2 chipotle chiles in adobo, seeded and chopped

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

Toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 400°F.

2.     Place the pumpkin, cut side down, on a baking sheet with sides.  Add water and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil
to the pan and roast the squash until it is soft to the touch, 40 to 45 minutes.

3.     Melt the butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil together in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and sauté until the onion is soft and light brown.

4.     Add the carrots and bell pepper and continue to cook and stir until the carrots are soft, about 10 minutes.  Add the garlic and       cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until it is fragrant but not brown.

5.     Add the broth, chipotle chiles, salt and pepper and bring the soup to a low boil over medium-high heat.  While the soup is coming to a boil, scoop out the pumpkin flesh.  Discard the skin and add the pumpkin to the soup.  Reduce the heat to low and      simmer, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.

6.     Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the rosemary.  Allow the soup to cool slightly before pureeing.  Working in batches if necessary,  puree the soup in a blender until smooth.  Reheat if necessary and serve warm.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7.     Optional garnishes:  Drizzle lightly with pumpkin seed oil; Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds; Dollop with crème fraiche or low-fat sour cream mixed with fresh lime juice.

(Summarized from an original article by Christine Gonzalez, Pharm D)

Jonathan Powell, ND

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone which the body synthesizes from cholesterol utilizing ultraviolet B rays from the sun.  Vitamin D influences the bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles.  Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and to support bone health.

Many studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of cancer.  Studies have shown that postmenopausal women given 1,100 IU of vitamin D₃ plus calcium versus placebo were 77% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer over the next four years, and another study has shown that individuals with high vitamin D concentrations were half as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer as those
with low concentrations.

Vitamin D has been linked to heart health as well.  One study showed that patients with low levels (<15 ng/mL) had a 60% higher risk of heart disease while another study showed that low levels correlated with a two-fold increase in heart attacks when compared to patients with vitamin D levels greater than 30ng/mL.  Lastly, patients with low levels were shown to be three times more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension after 4 years Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays a role in bone health.  Also, vitamin D receptors are located on the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are the first to respond in a fall.  It is theorized that vitamin D may increase muscle strength, thereby preventing falls.   Many studies have shown an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of fractures and falls in older adults.

Besides sun exposure (at least 15 minutes per day) the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation.  Cholecalciferol (D₃) is the preferred form to supplement due to its chemical similarity to the form produced by the body.  Individuals at high risk for deficiency
should have a vitamin D blood test first, then a dosage of up to 3000 to 5000 IU daily may be required to restore blood concentrations.