Why do I need to take supplements? 

Doesn't our food contain all the vitamins I need?  

Do they really work?

My Medical Doctor says that vitamins are a waste of money.

By Dr. Richard Bisceglie, DN, CNS

I have been asked these questions many times before. There is a lot of information and misinformation out there regarding our nutritional health. This becomes apparent when it come to supplementation. I would like to address a few of the key issues related to this.

We need supplements for a variety of reasons under varying circumstances. The foods we eat have been processed, sprayed with chemicals, given growth hormones and antibiotics and if that is not enough, pickup up environmental pollutants along the way. Many individuals have extra demands placed on their bodies because of specific conditions (i.e., pain syndromes, degenerative joint disease, cardiovascular, auto immune conditions, allergies, obesity). Even our water may contain several substances that we do not want to ingest; chlorine, estrogen, and other long chemical names. Are you beginning to see why our nutritional needs may not be met simply through our food?

Patients often come in and tell me that their doctor told them that they didn’t need vitamins. Please remember most medical doctors get very little in the form of supplemental training and how they may apply it to medical conditions. Specialized training is needed to fully appreciate the complexities of nutritional medicine. Even the medicines we are taking have side effects. Medication in many cases is life saving. However, supplementation may be indicated to help with the side effects. Many compromise our liver function. Some increase muscle and joint pain, even more effect our digestion. If we are not digesting and absorbing the foods we do eat, we further leave our bodies vulnerable to disease and dysfunction and yes…even weight gain.

To complicate matters even more, the supplement industry is unregulated or self regulated. That is a double edge sword. It leaves the door open for unscrupulous manufactures to distribute inferior product. They may not even be aware of key factors like where the batch material is obtained and the quality control procedures. Does the company do clinical trials, research?  However, this self regulation gives us more freedom when recommending a supplementation protocol. We cannot make claims that any supplement “cures” anything. We can however, say that certain compounds have been shown to help with particular conditions.

Health care professionals have the serious responsibility to evaluate products and apply our rigid standards to ensure efficacy and not allow the patient to waste their money on products that do not work!  To fully understand how these nutrients effect the body, one needs to understand disease processes and the additional demand that is placed on systems to help repair and restore to health. Beware of individuals who claim to be this or that kind of specialist and not licensed to dispense medical or nutritional information and how it may apply to any conditions.

Don’t settle for less!

Dr. Bisceglie is a state licensed board certified doctor of Naprapathic Medicine and a national board certified nutritional specialist.  He has conducted many seminars on nutrition and physical medicine.

Dr. Bisceglie has also published peer-reviewed clinical articles in Journal of the American Naprapathic Association, and the Alternative Network directory.

If you have any further questions or would like to speak with the doctor, please contact  Dr. Bisceglie at the Center for Holistic Medicine in Riverwoods at 847-236-1701.

Medicine in the News:

Natural Flu Prevention and Treatment

Jerry Gore, M.D.

We have all been inundated by the media lately regarding Swine Flu. As a proactive approach, I’d like to share with you some historical information as well as answer the most frequently asked questions. The Chicago Tribune headlined a story in early March stating that as Flu season hits high gear, this year’s most common strain has developed resistance to the drug Tamiflu, a 100% resistance in the united states.   

First, take a deep breath and relax – holistic medicine can help!

Second, remember, no self help is a substitute for a qualified health care practitioner’s evaluation. Try the methods only as an aid or during the first 12-24 hours. If there is no relief then consult a physician.

Historical data on Homeopathic treatment on flu epidemics: Taken from National Center of Homeopathy:

Perhaps the most recent use of homeopathy in a major epidemic was during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. The Journal of the American Institute for Homeopathy, May, 1921, had a long article about the use of homeopathy in the flu epidemic. Dr. T A McCann, from Dayton, Ohio reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a mortality rate of 28.2% while 26,000 cases of flu treated homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05%. This last figure was supported by Dean W.A. Pearson of Philadelphia (Hahnemann College) who collected 26,795 cases of flu treated with homeopathy with the above result.

The most common remedy used was Gelsemium, with occasional cases needing Bryonia and Eupatorium reported. Dr. Herbert A. Roberts from Derby, CT, said that 30 physicians in Connecticut responded to his request for data. They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is less than 1%. Dr. Roberts was working as a physician on a troop ship during WWI. He had 81 cases of flu on the way over to Europe. He reported, “All recovered and were landed. Every man received homeopathic treatment. One ship lost 31 on the way.”

Please be aware that a natural approach exists to flu prevention and treatment. Here are some ideas for boosting your immune system and avoiding some common problems associated with fall/winter illness:

DIET:
Avoid mucous producing foods (sinusitis, asthma, flu, bronchitis, ear infections, etc.), such as milk and cheese, beef and pork, wheat, bananas, refined sugar and corn oil. Use more of beans, peas, chicken(dark part), rye, spelt, buckwheat millet, apples, pears, molasses, olive oil, sesame oil, and spices (turmeric, cumin and garlic). Apples, pears and raw vegetables actually help to reduce mucus.

VITAMINS:
Vitamin C helps stimulate your natural killer cells that mop us viruses.  Vitamin A also has “anti-viral” activity and Zinc has a reputation for healing “colds”. Making and drinking a pitcher of freshly juiced vegetable and/or fruit juice every day gives you the antioxidants you need to help boost your immune system. Taking large doses of Vitamin C (up to 10,000mg daily, as your body tolerates) can boost the immune system.  
 
SUPPLEMENTS:
Echinacea - take a dose or two when you feel that cold or flu just coming on. Add Goldenseal to it if the mucous turns from clear to yellow. Rosemarin supplements, Echinacea angustifolia tincture (5 drops in water, 3 times daily during infection, or 1 time daily for up to 2 weeks to help boost immune system then take 1-2 week break), Astragalus and certain other medicinal herbs, and Oscillococcinum (standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days) are likely to confer some protection as well. Ginger, taken as a tea, will warm up your innards.  Garlic has anti-bacterial properties-add it to your food.
 
REMEDIES:
Km-6x (Kali-mur) is a common tissue salt and can help prevent what’s “going around”.  It is also indicated for conditions with clear mucous, such as a drippy nose, or cough with whitish expectoration.  Aconite 30c taken at the first hint of something coming on can sometimes stop it in its tracks.  Gelsemium 30c  is recommended for the flu characterized by a droopy energy, heavy eyelids, fatigue, etc.  Bryonia  for slow, hot and dry chills all over, the least amount of movement makes it worse, cough causing headache. Eupatorium Perfoliatum for shivering, painful so that bones feel broken, bursting headache, movement makes it worse. Mercurisus Solubis for chills, thick, acrid, smelly, yellow-green discharge, thirst, alternate between hot and cold like a human thermometer, if a sore throat is present it’s accompanied by salivation, and a bad taste or bad breath.

STRESS REDUCTION: 
Chronic stress reduces our ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.  Take 5 minutes for relaxation during the day by breathing or some gentle exercising, or formal relaxation program.  Make a habit of it so it will grow with your expanding life style.
 
ATTITUDE:
Winter has the properties of COLD and DARK.  Balance this by adding HEAT and LIGHT to your life; elements of transformation and change.  Choose a class, lecture, hobby, and a field of study.  Work on improving a relationship or changing a habit.  Call a loved one-love is light and warmth.  

Q: Is there anything homeopathy can to do prevent the (swine) flu?

A. Homeopathic immunization uses two main methods – the nosode (a remedy made from the microbe itself) and the genus epidemicus (a remedy that matches the symptoms of an epidemic).

No nosode has yet been made from this virus, and no genus epidemicus been established. However, the US Navy (that just happened to be in Mexico) found that the new virus contains DNA of Influenza Type A and Type B, Asian Influenza, Swine Flu, and Avian flu. We have a recent nosode for Influenza Mix, which is the closest match and likely to be effective. The standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days.

Q: Is there anything else one can do to protect oneself?

A. Making and drinking a pitcher of freshly juiced vegetable and/or fruit juice every day gives you the antioxidants you need to help boost your immune system. Taking large doses of Vitamin C (up to 10,000mg daily, as your body tolerates) can boost the immune system. Rosemarin supplements, Echinacea angustifolia tincture (5 drops in water, 3 times daily during infection, or 1 time daily for up to 2 weeks to help boost immune system then take 1-2 week break), Astragalus and certain other medicinal herbs, and Oscillococcinum (standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days) are likely to confer some protection as well.

Q: If I get sick what should I take?

A. Homeopathic treatment is likely to be an effective treatment for any new flu-like illness. Homeopathic hospitals had a less than 1% mortality rate during the last major real pandemic -1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, while conventional hospitals had between 30 and 60% mortality rates. For additional statistics on homeopathic treatment and the 1918 epidemic visit: http://www.naturalnews.com/026148.html .

As always, homeopathic treatment must be individualized. Since there are many homeopathic remedies for the flu, we recommend you contact us for a consultation, should you develop symptoms or are interested in preventative measures.

Call today to schedule your consultation and don’t let the media cause you to panic!

847-236-1701

Some information provided by Homeopathic Associates and The Homeopathic College

The information contained in this mailing is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat, prescribe or diagnose any disease, ailment or infirmity. If symptoms develop, please contact your physician or emergency medical help.

Nutrition for Caregivers

Jerry Gore, M.D.

I’m glad that everyone is talking about diet and food because I feel that proper nutrition is so essential for health and vitality. As a caregiver, we have the opportunity to improve our health and well being for clients as well as our patients and ourselves. I would like to share with you a basic outline for long-lasting health and wellness.

             Add the Good:

1. Cultivate a taste for Complex carbohydrate and avoid white sugar.

Why? Each cell in our bodies requires fuel to make energy. The best source of fuel comes from natural foods such as whole grains; whole wheat, brown rice, millet, buckwheat (kasha) etc, These grains have a structure in which each sugar molecule is linked to the one next to it. Therefore, throughout the day as we need fuel for energy, one unit of sugar is broken off from the chain and is taken in to the cell. , followed by another and another in a controlled and timely fashion. Contrast this to a candy or other source of white sugar where all the sugar is “simple sugar” meaning there are no connections and therefore all the sugar molecules go into the cell at the same time creating a massive insulin response resulting in a blood sugar that is temporarily too low, insulin that is too high. Some people may actually experience sweating, shakiness, sugar cravings altered thinking, and nervousness. As this is repeated day after day, month after month, more people are developing insulin resistance, a condition creeping into our society, characterized by chronically elevated insulin levels in the blood. This leads to chronic inflammation, high bloods preassure, elevated cholesterol, and other problems. Enjoy a breakfast of oatmeal or granola, or a lunch of brown rice or cous-cous, and feel the satisfaction that the whole grains bring to you.

1. Clean Protein

High protein diets are very popular at this time in our society with those who seek rapid weight loss. I’m concerned about the effects of protein breakdown products on liver and kidney health. I’m also concerned about the additives, pesticides, toxic metals, antibiotics, and hormones found in dairy, fish poultry and meat, and their effects on human health. When doing research on an article on infertility, I found that a rise in use of dairy products since the 1950s, and the dairy industry’s use of hormones (estrogen) parallels a drop in sperm count in the male population. The implication is that hormone laden dairy products affect the functioning of the developing male genetalia.(use organic milk).We love fish, but through hair analysis, followed by urine challenges, we often see elevated mercury and arsenic levels in those consuming large quantities of fish.(eat less tuna). I believe steroids are given to poultry and beef to influence their growth. Since that weakens their immune system; they are then given antibiotics to protect them from bacterial infections. We ingest these products (use organic meats) wondering how they affect us in the long run. Here are my choices for protein;

1)      Legumes, beans and peas, i.e. split peas, lentils, limas, hummus (chickpeas), black-eyed peas, etc. Why do I like them so much? Low in fat, high in fiber, low on the food chain (low in toxicity) and inexpensive. If pre soaked and used with spices, beans become easier to digest.

2)      Dairy (hormone-free) yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, milk. Note: dairy is difficult to digest for many people.

3)      Fish- cold water fish have the important omega-3fatty acids that help prevent inflammation .As mentioned before, toxic metals is becoming common. North Atlantic salmon is reported to have fewer problems. Sardines, because of their size, are lower on the food chain.

4)      Poultry-try free range, organically fed.

5)      Beef-high in fat, no fiber, costly to produce,-but it sure tastes good!

                                                      Did you know?

 Beans and peas can protect you from breast cancer. They are good sources of lignans and isoflavones-considered to be plant-based estrogens which are weakly estrogenic and therefore capable of attaching to estrogen receptors on breast cells and blocking stronger estrogens from creating cellular growth. Soy has a wonderful reputation for this and may help explain why there is less breast cancer in populations where soy products are used a lot.

1. Good Fats

As I mentioned above, there are fats and oils that are really helpful. Many health problems involve some component of inflammation-arthritis, asthma, heart disease, allergy and others. Because of their chemical nature, the “omega-3 oils” have an anti inflammatory and immune- enhancing effect on the body. Sources of omega-3 fats include cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, sardines, tuna, and mackeral. Other sources include flax seed oil and flax meal, walnuts, sunflower seeds and soybeans. Try to cook with oils that do not turn rancid under high temperatures such as olive and sesame oil or clarified butter. Stay away from corn oil and other polyunsaturated oils as they become too easily filled with “free radicals” that can harm cells. Avoid “hydrogenated” oils that damage cells for a different reason-read the labels on those chips and choose wisely!

Did you know?

                     “Research that looked at more than 60,000women in Sweden from age 40 to 76 years found that over the course of about 4 years, those who ate the largest proportion of oil from monounsaturates suffered the lowest risk of breast cancer. According to the researchers, if two women ate the same amount of total fat calories, the one who ate 10 more grams of monounsaturated fat per day cut her chance of breast cancer in half!

4.      Fruits and vegetables-colors that protect

Besides having fiber that help remove waste, and besides having sugars that do not require insulin to be absorbed, fruits and vegetables have beautiful pigments that keep us healthy. Green leafy vegetables are loaded with vitamin A, an anti-oxidant vitamin that protects the plant from the suns radiation and can protect you to. Those juicy red tomatoes have a pigment called “lycopene” that helps prevent prostate cancer along with other red fruits such as red grapefruit and apricots. Broccli, kale, cauliflower and other members of the” brassica” species have natural substances that deactivate estrogen (protects against cancer) and, induce liver detoxification. Apples have a soluble fiber called “pectin” that pulls cholesterol out of the body. It seems all the beautiful produce can be used as medicine to keep us healthy and vital.

In summary, I feel that it is very difficult to care for others when our own health problems consume our energy and attention. If we focus on our diet and utilize a few basic principles of nutrition and common sense combined with a little education, we can enjoy great personal health and vitality. Watch your illnesses and discomforts peel away, your energy increase and your mind become clear as you begin to incorporate natural, whole, balanced meals in you daily life.

Are you looking to reduce the serious diseases of our time with less costly, natural, and deeply healing methods?

Are you looking to reduce your use of medications and medical procedures and replace them with self empowering, natural techniques, education and natural remedies?

Are you looking for a sense of wellness, and health that you remember as a birthright?

Are you looking for a way to raise healthy, mentally focused children with strong immune systems who become less reliant on antibiotics and stimulant medication?

Hi,  I’m Jerry Gore MD, and I want to personally welcome you to a Center that  I and my wife Carol have created and nurtured because we desired the above for ourselves and our children.

I practice general medicine and holistic psychiatry. I use nutrition, supplements, homeopathic remedies, stress reduction techniques, counseling and draw on knowledge of Ayurveda, wisdom from the East to promote physical health, peace of mind, and clarity of consciousness in all my patients.

I treat everyone from little children with earaches, women in menopause, men with prostate issues people in pain, to those presenting with ADHD, anxiety, depression (see our brochure)I have programs for wellness, and ageing gracefully, as well as prevention and treatment  for diabetes, heart disease and cancer. I bring stress reduction workshops to our corporate neighbors, as well as lecturing in our community on a variety of topics ranging from a dietary discussion about good and bad fats to an introductory course on meditation.

How do I do all this?  With a little help from my friends. I am blessed to have experienced practitioners trained in Chiropractic, Napraprapathy, and Acupuncture. We have a board certified Nutritionist, a board certified Internist, a graduate of homeopathic medical school, a Feldenkrais practitioner, and a Massage and Shiatsu therapist. We have Yoga classes and a Weight Loss/Physical therapy/training, program. Please review all their brochures. Everyone is available to answer any questions and staff is available to schedule appointments today.  

Give us the chance and we will bring you there!

Sincerely,

Jerry Gore, M.D., Director

Biography and Introduction

Jerry Gore M.D.

Dr Gore is as graduate of Northwestern University’s Institute of Psychiatry Dr. Gore is currently the Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in Riverwoods-Deerfield, where he has practiced Holistic General Medicine and Psychiatry. For 25 years, he has practiced the integration of physical, energetic, mental and spiritual therapeutics-all in the same treatment program for a given individual or wellness package as applied to a person’s health or a corporate need.

Your health program may involve what best fits your needs such as;

1) Nutrition and Supplementation; There are many situations which may improve with natural foods or supplements such as vitamins or amino acids. We are currently using urine tests to guide us in choosing such therapies and are having good results with the treatment of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. We also use standard blood work to make sure we are not overlooking a thyroid problem, anemia, or Vitamin D deficiency etc.

2) Energy Medicine; such as homeopathy and flower essences. We also have seasoned acupuncturists on site (see articles for an explanation of these therapies),

3) Stress Reduction Techniques; there are many types of awareness exercises for relaxing the body and calming and focusing the mind, including breathing and meditation techniques.

4) Counseling and Psychotherapy; Dr Gore draws from his training and experience with analytic and gestalt therapies as well as being influenced through the eastern Yogic, and Hebraic traditions in order to help individuals or couples improve their  health, happiness, and sense of well being.

5) Spirituality; There are practical ways of connecting to the higher part of oneself, such as being able to tap into your intuition and inner guidance, or feeling fulfilled in your daily activities  and  realizing your unique purpose in life. We may use the modalities of therapy, contemplation, and meditation to bring this about.

Call for information or to schedule a session

847-236-1701