If you are, or ever have been, a homeowner, you know that you can't ignore your gutters for too long. If you have lots of trees around, you need a plan for cleaning the clutter out yearly, at least. Or you need a pretty good system for keeping the clutter out - gutter guards, gutter helmets, professional help, etc. If you don't, you will likely be faced with damaged, leaking or overflowing gutters before too long. The water isn't going to flow where it is supposed to go if you don't keep things cleaned up.

Think of your gut as the gutter of your body. It is the major detox pathway that keeps things running smoothly. If you start to collect clutter (aka toxins, waste materials, etc.) in your gut, things aren't going to move well and you will likely end up with a dysfunctional, damaged or leaking gut. You may experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, constipation, etc. While you may not have ferns growing in your intestines, the clutter will contribute to culturing things like unwanted microbes, especially bad bacteria. These can lead to even more broad symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, joint pain and the list goes on.

Eating foods high in fiber is one good way to keep things moving through the gut. However, sometimes that isn't enough with how much junk can collect and stick to the walls of the colon. We use an intestinal cleanse from Country Doctor that really helps remove a lot of impacted waste over several weeks. It will clean out your gut! (Ask us about using Country Doctor ICF#1.)

Binders are another tool for cleaning out the clutter. "What is a binder?", you may ask. It is a substance that has an affinity for attaching to various toxins in the gut. Binders are very helpful when detoxifying and cleaning up the gut because releasing and moving toxins can make you feel sick. Adding binders assists in quickly removing toxins by binding to them so they can be easily eliminated from your system, minimizing any 'ick' feeling. When toxins aren't removed efficiently from the gut, they can be reabsorbed and recirculate in your system, continuing to cause you harm.

There are a number of different types of binders including chlorella, charcoal, zeolite and bentonite clays, silica, citrus pectin and fulvic and humic acids. They work best when taken on an empty stomach and away from medications and other supplements.

We have some great binders to choose from such as G.I. Detox, Mega IgG2000, and Country Doctor ICF#2. You may also want to keep some activated charcoal on hand - a binder used for food or chemical poisoning - and Bentonite Clay - a binder that is very helpful in cases of diarrhea. You can find both of these at your local health food store.

One more idea for clearing out the 'clutter in your gutter' is to use probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria you need in your gut to help with vitamin production and nutrient utilization. They also play a huge role in helping to clear out toxins and other unwanted bacteria. Prebiotics are food to feed your good bacteria. We really like the MicroBiome Labs products and their Total Gut Restoration Program. This is a 3-month program to clean up and heal the gut.

Total Gut Restoration
MegaSporeBiotic is used to recondition the gut by crowding out pathogens and increasing healthy microbial diversity. MegaPreBiotic reinforces a healthy and diverse gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Finally MegaMucosa rebuilds the thick mucosal barrier that protects the immune system around the gut. Contact the office for the specifics of the Total Gut Restoration protocol.

Whether you prefer to use fiber, binders, prebiotics/probiotics or a combination, be sure to regularly clean up the 'clutter in your gutter'!

You likely remember those days as a kid when you would scoot and drag your stocking feet across the floor so you could sneak up on your favorite sibling and deliver them a 'shocking' surprise. Or, remember how much fun it was to rub a balloon on your head until it stuck and your hair was reaching to the sky? In Colorado, especially in winter, you have experienced unexpected 'shocks' as you reached for a light switch, a door knob, or maybe even your mailbox. These 'charged' experiences are all brought to you by static, also known as electricity. Human beings are great conductors and carriers of electrical charges. But do you know how important these 'charges' are to your health?

Many of us are pretty comfortable with accepting that tangible things, like food and water, can be consumed and then used by the body to provide energy and to keep us nourished and functioning. True health also embraces how important electrical charges are to the functioning of our bodies. This gets into the science of Bioenergetics.

Bioenergetics is defined as the study of energy relationships and energy transformations in living organisms. This is important because energy affects body biochemistry by making and breaking chemical bonds in molecules. This affects how the foods you eat (amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins) are used in the body, directly affecting your health. (If you are really nerdy, check out this link.) Since we don’t ‘see’ energy and frequencies, it may be difficult to believe there is any truth regarding their effect on the body. However, if you have experienced any of the 'shocking situations' mentioned above, you know that energy can be very tangible.

Since proper electrical balance is vital for good health, we need to be aware of the negative affects of disruptive electrical frequencies. These can be so harmful that some folks may even suffer with EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity). They may struggle being around cell phones or towers, power lines or even residential electrical wiring. Kimberley has some trouble in this area and getting a good night's sleep requires turning off the WiFi router and cell phones before bed. Even if you don't notice negative affects being around certain frequencies, it is likely that your body is still dealing with the stress from them. Beware of bombardment by all kinds of frequencies (think radio, cell, WiFi, smart meters, etc.) and other factors that block energy flow.

           Good electrical flow in the body keeps us healthy.

So what helps maintain good electrical flow in the body? Hydration is definitely important, because water is so conductive. Minerals in our body are also conductive. However, it is also very important that we are grounded. This isn’t an esoteric reference to an emotional state. We need to physically ‘ground’ to maintain good health. Check out this short video from Earthing.com for more info on grounding and products you can try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4F8mterVGE

​But, let’s get back to Bioenergetics. If you are still wondering if there is some trickery here, do you ever question how your cell phone, radio or TV work? These are all examples of how invisible energy at different frequencies is very useful and powerful. There are even many diagnostic scans your doctor may order, such as EEGs or MRIs, based on this science.

While western medicine has not yet embraced many Bioenergetic devices for treatment, there are many options available to help us balance our own personal electrical systems. Carl has a Bioenergetic Doctorate and we use bioenergetic devices extensively in the office to help get your energy flowing in a healthful way. A few examples are:

Biofeedback: Helps balance the body to stressors related to foods, pets, pollens or other allergens.

BEMER: Proprietary PEMF device that improves micro-circulation. Schedule a session anytime.

Laser: Provides photon or light therapy that is very effective at reducing pain and inflammation and decreasing healing time after surgeries or injuries. You can purchase your very own at our office or here.

QuantumPulse: Our newest addition that you can read more about below.

We also have supplements that help the body recover from, and prevent the damage from, electromagnetic radiation (Cyruta Plus and RNA). Our multi-polar magnets help mitigate the harmful affects too.

​Be sure to take good care of your 'charges'!

Keeping your heart beating is truly one of the most important things that your body does all day, every day. It ranks right up there with breathing.

Unfortunately, there is an increasing concern over heart health these days. A recent AARP Bulletin asked "Are We Losing the Battle Against Heart Disease?". While there are many factors contributing to a decline in heart health, we are confident that improvements can be made through diet and lifestyle changes.

Proactively managing your diet and weight, exercising, reducing stress, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are all helpful. But don't forget how important a good night sleep is too - it should be at the top of the list.

Here are some quick tips to work on your sleep hygiene.

• Keep a regular sleep schedule by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day.
• Get an adequate amount of natural light by going for a walk.
• Get enough exercise, while not exercising a few hours before bed.
• Avoid artificial light a few hours before bed and using a blue light filter on computers and smartphones or wear blue-blocker glasses.
• Don't eat or drink a few hours before bed.
• Maintain a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment.
• And our favorite - tape you mouth shut at night. If you want to learn more about this one, click here.

Would you like to learn more about how your heart is functioning? One of the great services available at The Natural Path is a Heart Scan.  Learn a little more in this video, too.

What could be more unnerving than being a turkey at Thanksgiving? Demyelinating nerve conditions, of course! These conditions are very debilitating and difficult to overcome.

Nerves are similar to the electrical wiring in your home. They have a protective insulating layer called the myelin sheath that is an electrically insulating phospholipid layer surrounding the nerves and enabling impulses to flow. Having healthy myelin is necessary for proper nerve signaling and to prevent 'short circuits'.

Demyelinating disorders are conditions that damage myelin. When this happens, scar tissue forms in its place. Brain signals can’t move across scar tissue as quickly, so your nerves don’t work as well as they should.

The most common symptoms of demyelinating disorders are:
• Vision loss
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Sensory changes

One of the most well known demyelinating nerve conditions is Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In this disorder, your immune system attacks the myelin sheath or the cells that produce and maintain it. This causes inflammation and injury to the sheath and ultimately to the nerve fibers that it surrounds. The process can result in multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis).

Other demyelinating nerve conditions include Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Transverse Myelitis, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Trigeminal Myalgia (TN). TN is also known as the 'Suicide Disease' due to the unbearable, excruciating pain caused by shocks to the face from the trigeminal nerve. Talk about unnerving!

Some of the known causes of nerve demyelination include immune challenges such as a virus, inflammation from an immune response that goes awry and causes your body to attack its own tissues (autoimmune condition), a genetic predisposition or even nerve injury.

However, there is another very insidious contributor to these unnerving issues - aluminum. Unfortunately, aluminum is found in everything from personal care products and cookware to our food and water. Aluminum is a toxin that damages the myelin sheath around nerves. It does this by dissolving the phospholipid layer because of its ability to bind with phosphorous (a major component of the phospholipid layer).

This is exactly the premise behind the workings of anti-perspirants and many deodorants. The aluminum in the products purposefully damages the nerves to stop the body's ability to sweat in that area. Since the body is constantly repairing, you will be able to sweat once again when the nerve and myelin sheath are repaired. Rather than continuing to use such a toxic product, it is time to find a better option. Some people like to use salt crystal deodorant which works by inhibiting odorous bacteria growth (but doesn't stop the sweat).

While it is difficult to eliminate all the aluminum exposure from our food and water, we can remove some significant sources in this area, too. Avoid using aluminum utensils and cookware. Opt instead to use stainless steel, glass or porcelain. Avoid the use of aluminum foil with acidic foods, like tomatoes (sauce) and lemons, or to heat food. Also, reconsider buying products in aluminum cans; purchasing items in glass is much better.

One other hidden source of aluminum may be baked goods. Baking powder is often full of aluminum.  Sodium aluminum phosphate reacts with heat and the other leavening ingredients to allow baked goods to rise. If you bake, make sure to find aluminum-free baking powder. In general, avoiding commercially baked goods as well as processed foods is a smart choice for reducing your aluminum exposure.

In addition to its nerve damaging effects, aluminum is a known neurotoxin. It contributes to cognitive dysfunction and may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. This is especially problematic because it can cross the blood brain barrier and it is difficult to rid the body of aluminum.

It certainly can seem an overwhelming task to address all the ways you may be exposed to aluminum. We suggest just picking one area to address and then building on your progress over time.

We also recommend supplements to help protect nerves and rebuild the myelin sheath. If you are struggling with a nerve condition, please set up an appointment so we can get you started on a supplement protocol to promote healing as soon as possible. The sooner you address nerve-related issues the better. Your nerves and brain will thank you!

We know that everyone has heard plenty about how bad sugar can be for you.....that it is a poison to the body....more addictive than many drugs.....cripples your immune system..... But there is another scary side to the sugar equation you may not have thought a lot about.

It isn't just the sugar in cookies that makes them less than an ideal breakfast choice. Come on, many cereals are really just cookies in a box....Cookie Crisp anyone? It is the simple carbs, like bleached white flour, that really make cookies doubly frightening. Simple carbs quickly become elevated blood sugar (also called glucose) when you consume them. That means there are other breakfast monsters like bagels, toast, pancakes, waffles....all before you add the jelly and syrup. It continues through the rest of the day with things like crackers, rice and pasta.

The thing that you need to pay attention to more than if something tastes sweet or not is the glycemic index. The glycemic index is a system that assigns a number (1 to 100) to carbohydrate-containing foods according to how much each food increases blood sugar. Sugar would rate 100. Low glycemic foods rate 55 or below. The glycemic index is a very helpful tool when you are trying to figure out which foods may be raising your blood sugar too much. You can't always judge the glycemic index by how sweet something tastes. For example, berries are often sweet but have a fairly low glycemic index.

You can find a lot of information about the glycemic index of foods online. Here is one resource to get you started: https://glycemicindex.com/

In addition to being aware of what you are eating, consider using  supplements that are helpful with blood sugar balance. Inositol and Gymnema both help curb sugar cravings. Cataplex GTF is a chromium product that helps with sugar metabolism. Pancreatrophin PMG and Country Doctor Pancreas both support healing of the pancreas and healthy insulin levels. Diaplex is a great digestive aid for anyone working to lower elevated blood sugar levels. Glucose Assist is a brand new product from Standard Process that comes in either chocolate or vanilla to make healthy low-glycemic protein shakes. We even have Inositol Powder that can be used as a sweetener replacement in baking, shakes, etc. Please let us know if you have any questions about these products and blood sugar balance.

Back in the day, it was spelled R-O-L-A-I-D-S. Remember those commercials? Antacids have come a long way since that time and are as commonly used as breath mints these days.

Heartburn, acid indigestion, or GERD all refer to what seems like a simple problem with a simple answer. Stomach acid is making you uncomfortable, or really causing you pain, and the easy answer is to use an over-the-counter or prescription antacid.

You have many options starting with the basic antacids that counteract (neutralize) the acid in your stomach to relieve indigestion and heartburn. Examples include TUMS, Rolaids, and Alka-Seltzer. If you are looking for a quick home remedy, baking soda in water will do the trick.

If you need something stronger, H2 blockers are a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. These include things like Famotidine (Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral, Zantac 360), Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) and Nizatidine Capsules (Axid AR, Axid Capsules).

Need something even stronger? PPIs - Proton pump inhibitors have eclipsed H2 blockers and are now the most commonly prescribed class of medication for the treatment of heartburn and acid-related disorders. They work by blocking the site of acid production in the cells lining the stomach. PPIs include lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

But where is all this heartburn, acid indigestion and GERD coming from to begin with?!

Here are some of the top culprits:

• Low stomach acid - yep, you read that right!
• Foods such as sugar, coffee, dairy, alcohol, and wheat.
• Excess weight
• Infections
• Pregnancy
• Food sensitivities
• Drinking alkaline water near meals
• Hiatal hernia or other structural issue

Looking at this list, it really does seem like the best answer is to just block the acid causing the discomfort to begin with. Not so fast...this is one health problem you better not continue to medicate and cover up.

It is helpful to review some of the reasons that stomach acid is important. It is essential for digestion and breaking down foods - especially proteins. When our food is not broken down or digested correctly, we develop nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies can contribute to a host of negative health conditions. In addition, undigested food itself causes indigestion and can begin to create problems such as allergies and autoimmune conditions over a period of time. Stomach acid is also required as our first line of defense against oral pathogens - bacteria, virus and parasites. Your good health depends on appropriate amounts of stomach acid!

Antacids, H2 blockers and PPIs have been linked to increased incidence of bone fractures, B12 and magnesium deficiencies and increased gut infections, such as C-Diff. A 2015 study even showed an increased risk of cardiovascular issues with PPI use. 

We don't disagree that taking a pill to solve heartburn is much easier than dealing with the underlying root causes. However, you are risking some significant health issues down the road with this approach.

We offer a number of supplements that give you some healthier options to help reduce heartburn. We can also use muscle testing and lab work to assist you in understanding what may be at the root of the issue for you. Give us a call when you are ready to get to work!

There are many different types of biofeedback. Biofeedback describes a collection of tools used to help you learn to control some of your body's functions, such as your heart rate. Heart Rate Variability testing has become fairly commonplace today. In addition to heart rate, things like temperature and respiratory rate may also be used. In the past, traditional biofeedback was frequently used to help people learn to control headaches - especially those induced by stress. Even muscle testing is a form of biofeedback and we use this tool extensively at our office.

Biofeedback techniques have continued to improve and newer devices are often computer-based and can provide the body with information via sound, light and other frequencies. This 'frequency' information is used by the body to achieve a balanced state. 

Signs that your body could use some balancing include: 
         Poor Sleep
         Fatigue
         Brain Fog
         Excess Weight
         Digestive Problems
         Respiratory Problems
         Hormonal Imbalances
         Allergies
         Arthritis
         ADD/ADHD
         Chronic Pain​

The type of biofeedback we provide is computerized and based on galvanic skin response (the same technology as a lie detector test). Our system quickly and accurately scans the body for imbalances due to sensitivities related to foods, chemicals, toxins, bugs (viruses and bacteria), and animals, as well as environmental factors like pollen, mold, and pollutants.

Once imbalances are identified, balancing frequencies are delivered to the body through the skin and laser light. This quick and painless therapy is a great way to improve symptoms caused by all types of sensitivities. Positive effects may be experienced in as little as one session. However, we recommend a series of 10 sessions and then following up with rescans whenever you feel 'out of balance'. 

We all have those days when we just 'aren't feelin' it'. It is amazing how much our mind and mood control everything in our world. They can affect our perspective, outlook, confidence and even our physical health. What a sorry state we are in when we feel like our mind is broken. It can feel absolutely impossible to overcome or change anything. So, how can you mend your mind?

While we in no way can come close to covering all the things that can impact your mind and mood, we would like to at least provide some hope and tools for mending your most important asset - your mind. First, let's cover some of the broad categories of issues that may point to a need for some 'mending'.

Traditionally, issues with the mind and mood center on diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. and then on to dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. However, another category of issues that may be related to the mind are chronic physical issues such as pain (fibromyalgia), fatigue, autoimmune conditions, etc. This isn't to say that our physical ailments are all 'in our heads', but that there is often a mind or emotional component contributing to them. This is why we find the Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) so helpful for people. Another category of mind-related issues includes conditions like brain fog, inability to focus, lack of motivation, feeling 'stuck', not being able to reach our goals and more serious addictions. 

While these issues are very broad and diverse, the root causes of why our minds seem to be broken in all these different ways can be very similar. Many of these dysfunctions can be caused by inflammation (which we covered previously) and neurotransmitter imbalances. There are all kinds of tests that can be done to find out the specifics of your brain, but we suggest starting with the basics. We recommend everyone focus on what Kimberley calls the D.R.E.S.S. protocol. This stands for Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress Reduction and Supplementation when needed.

Diet goes beyond just eating 'healthy'. You may have hidden food sensitivities causing inflammation throughout the body. In addition, you may NOT be eating correctly for your metabolic type. These issues can be identified through some simple testing. However, when testing isn't in the budget, we suggest at least trying to remove the most likely inflammatory foods - gluten/grains, dairy, nuts, processed foods, sugar, soy and corn. Also, don't forget hydration with pure clean water - at least 1/2 oz. per pound of body weight per day.

Rest means getting the best sleep possible. Shoot for at least 8 hours of slumber and going to bed as early as possible. The hours of sleep before midnight are much more beneficial than the hours of sleep after midnight (I see my mother smiling and nodding).

Exercise can be any kind of movement that isn't 'over doing it'. In Colorado, we find that many people on a healing journey are exercising too much and using up the resources their bodies need to heal most efficiently and effectively.

Stress reduction is very broad and can include everything from taking down time and breathing exercises to finding hidden stressors in the body such as stealth infections or parasites.

Supplementation can be very helpful in making up nutritional deficiencies and providing therapeutic amounts of various nutrients. In addition, herbal and homeopathic supplements can provide 'energetic' information to help balance the body. We have many supplements available related to mind and mood.

​While this D.R.E.S.S. protocol is simple, we know it isn't always easy to do on your own. We would be glad to help you create a plan to address these key areas or to do some testing. These basic diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping to mend your mind. However, we are also provide even more support for mind and mood with psychotherapy services. 

If you have some extra time on your hands, here are some other resources we recommend:

A Mind of Your Own by Dr. Kelly Brogan. This book focuses on the effects of SSRIs and how to reduce or eliminate their use. It is especially focused on women and how they can heal their minds and bodies.

Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Dr. Leaf also has tons of great YouTube content if you would rather listen or watch than read.

The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. This book is especially geared to those dealing with past traumas.

There are just so many great resources out there. Please don't stay 'stuck' if you are dealing with mental health and mood issues. We would love to partner with you on making progress toward mending your mind!

You know how the rest of that saying goes and 'fire' has become that four letter word that we don't even want to utter. There used to be a 'fire season' in Colorado, and many other states. Now, it seems to be a non-stop threat. Colorado has had more than its share of massive fires in recent years, the latest being the Marshall Fire that started in Boulder County on December 30th of 2021 and devastated so many homes and lives.  

Unfortunately, many of us are also dealing with a fire we may not even be aware of - the fire of chronic inflammation. The body sends all kinds of smoke signals to warn us about the danger. We can help you decipher those smoke signals and put out the fire of inflammation. 

While inflammation can be a healthy response to your body's signals to address challenges, sometimes this inflammation goes overboard, attacking healthy tissues and creating a chronic inflammation response. The way your body reacts to inflammation is very individualized to you and depends on things like genetics, health status, diet, blood sugar regulation, hormone balance, stress and the environment. 

Inflammation in the body can be acute or chronic. Acute inflammation happens immediately after tissues and cells are damaged and lasts for a short amount of time. This is a good use of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation lasts much longer, up to several months or even years and leads to most degenerative diseases. 

​Chronic inflammation can be caused by unresolved infections (bacteria, virus, parasites, yeast), unresolved injuries, food sensitivities, allergies, uric acid build up and even proteins, such as the Beta-amyloids associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Some of the smoke signals the body may send to warn of chronic inflammation include arthritis and joint pain, cancers, psoriasis,  diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, weight gain, and the list goes on. 

You can see that putting out the fires of inflammation is paramount to good health. Unfortunately, there are many pharmaceuticals that are good at shutting down the inflammatory response in the body, but don't necessarily address the root cause. There are also unwanted side affects of many of these drugs, causing kidney, liver and gut damage. 

We have a number of ways to help you get to the root cause of inflammation, as well as supplements that can help support you in reducing inflammation. One of our most holistic solutions to addressing the root causes of inflammation is called SHAPE. Check that program out here.

'Tape Face', of America's Got Talent fame, was likely unaware of the many health benefits of the funny skits he always performed with his mouth taped shut. 

Did you know that "mouthbreathing... changes the physical body and transforms airways, all for the worse? Inhaling air through the mouth decreases pressure, which causes the soft tissues in the back of the mouth to become loose and flex inward, creating less overall space and making breathing more difficult. Mouthbreathing begets more mouthbreathing." This material was taken from the book 'BREATH' by James Nestor.  It is an excellent read if you really want to delve into breath and breathing correctly. 

There are many other issues that can be caused by mouthbreathing that range from poor dental health, dehydration, impaired athletic performance, snoring, mild sleep apnea, foggy thinking and the list goes on.  Learning to breathe through your nose is one of the cheapest, easiest and most beneficial things you can do to improve your health. 

Mouth-Taping

We started the journey to stop mouthbreathing by ensuring we sleep with our mouths shut. Surgical tape can be used to help keep the mouth closed throughout the night. It can take some practice to keep the tape on all night if you have sinus issues, but, once you do, you will reap the benefits of a better night's sleep.  Mouth-taping is often used to resolve snoring and mild sleep apnea.  Opening up your sinuses is similar to working a weak muscle - the more you practice, the better your sinuses will perform. Here is an informative 23 minute video with more insight on mouth taping. ​