LISG - Ginger-K Lymphedema and Cancer Care Center · 2016. 3. 29. · Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Spring 2016, ... Fortunately, fate intervened, and that led to my treatment

Vitamins:

Vitamins are natural substanc-

es found in living things such as

plants. Vitamins must be obtained in

the body from foods or supplements as

they cannot usually be produced by

the body.

Minerals:

Minerals are found in plants.

Plants get their minerals from the soil-

soil gets minerals from water washing

over rocks. For vitamins to do their

job, they require minerals. Minerals

must also be obtained from food or

supplements.

Antioxidants:

Antioxidants are specific vita-

mins or minerals that protect body

cells from damaging effects of Free

Radicals. Free Radicals come from or

are caused by smoking, sunlight,

stress, exercise, etc., and are one of the

primary causes of premature aging,

sickness, and disease.

Supplements:

Supplements are vitamins

and minerals that have been extracted

from a plant or created in a laboratory

and put into a form that can be ingested

and used by the body.

There are effective supplements,

ineffective supplements, and hazardous

supplements.

Uneducated consumers are at

risk from two sides:

1. Consumers know they should sup-

plement but don’t know how to ef-

fectively. Therefore, they waste their

money, time, and health.

2. Consumers are uninformed (or given

bad advice) on the need to supple-

ment and sacrifice their health.

C a l c i um “ Th e Bo n e M in era l”

L y m p h e d e m a I n f o r m a t i o n S u p p o r t G r o u p

V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Minerals (Calcium)

1-7

Dietary Corner 8

First Hand

by

Dawn

Sudmeier

9-11

Conditions that Worsen

Lymphedema

12

Requirements for a bone fide Lymphedema

Therapist

13

Dr. Comfort Shoes

14-15

New Services 16

F u l l S e r v i c e

F o o t C a r e :

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

P o d i a t r y

C u s t o m & O f f - t h e -

S h e l f O r t h o t i c s

S h o e s f o r C o m f o r t

By Appointment

(408) 782-1028

LISG

How Do Vitamins and Minerals get in the Body? Vitamins and minerals get into your body when you eat plants such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and spices or when you take a vitamin/mineral supplement. You can also get some vitamins and minerals into your body by eating meat as most animals eat plant food.

Digestive Tract Where do Vitamins/Minerals go in the

Body?

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Vitamins and minerals go from your stom-ach to your intestines. They then go through a very complex allocation system whereby the body dis-tributes certain vitamins and minerals to parts of your body based on its own priority system. (see image). If a nutrient is needed in a certain organ that the body deems more important, it will take the nutrient from a less important organ, and allo-cate it to a more important organ. Sort of a “rob Peter to pay Paul” action. That’s why it is critical to maintain proper vitamin and mineral levels. Vita-mins and minerals in your body should not be viewed as independent substances, but rather as a cooperative network of nutrients working together. If one nutrient is missing, it throws the entire net-work of nutrients out of balance.

“A deficiency of a vitamin or mineral will cause a body part to malfunction and eventually break down - and, like dominos, other body parts will follow”

-James F. Balch, M.D Prescription for Nutritional Healing

S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 3

Continuation from page 2

How Do Vitamins/Minerals Leave the Body?

Vitamins and minerals are “used” by the

body. As they perform their function, they often use themselves up in the process, which is the case with most of the critical diseases fighting antioxidants.

Even thinking uses vitamins and minerals.

Exercise and stress use a lot of vitamins and minerals; the use of diuretics (substances that increase the discharge of urine) such as drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea and sodas - wash away vitamins and minerals out of the body creating deficien-cies - this can create a major health prob-lem!

Tobacco and alcohol can also inhibit the ab-

sorption of vitamins and minerals, or ac-celerate the loss of them.

Your Health, Your intelligence, Your energy Your appearance are dependent upon you replenishing your vitamins and

minerals every day.

Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation

is necessary for these reasons:

1. Crop nutrient losses - soil has been de-

pleted of nutrients 2. Poor digestion - indigestion reduces ab-

sorption 3. Over-cooking - destroys nutrients 4. Microware cooking - alters structure of

nutrients 5. Food storage - length of time stored and

freezing deplete nutrients 6. Food selection - limiting food selections 7. Food omission - dieting and allergies re-

duce or omit sources of nutrients 8. Environmental factors - herbicides and

pesticides reduce nutritional values 9. Antibiotics - interfere with intake of nutri-

ents 10. Poor Lifestyle - smoking, alcohol and caf-

feine inhibit absorption of nutrients 11. Stress - increases body’s requirements 12. Out of balance - missing nutrients create

an out of balance situation in the body 13. Nutrient variance - some foods have

greater amounts of certain nutrients.

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Calcium

“the bone mineral”

The importance of Calcium:

1) A builder of strong bones and teeth. It

plays a wide variety of roles that are

crucial to the proper functioning of the

body.

2) It is indispensably involved in every beat

of our hearts and every thought that

passes through our minds.

3) 99% of the calcium in the body is found

in the teeth and bones.

4) Necessary for the proper transmission of

messages along the bodies nervous sys-

tem and at critical control points where

nerves and muscles meet.

5) If the body does not get enough calcium

the entire neuromuscular system goes

haywire.

6) Reverses the effects of osteoporosis.

7) Combined with vitamin D it helps the

body absorb more of dietary calcium.

8) Quiets muscle cramps and muscle fa-

tigue.

9) Can lessen the amount of “bad”

cholesterol (LDL) in arteries.

The effects of calcium deficiency:

Osteoporosis- brittle fragile bones that

break easily.

Every year over 6 million people, men as

well as women, suffer from bone fractures

as a result of osteoporosis. These bone

fractures are often spinal fractures that

crush the delicate vertebrae, stealing

inches from their height and saddling

them with a “dowager’s hump.”

One out of every six people who have a

hip fracture because of osteoporosis die

within three months, literally wasting away

in a hospital bed.

Estrogen controls the menstrual cycle, it

also acts to hold calcium in the bones. At

menopause the production of estrogen

slows down and calcium trickles out of the

bones in a steady year after year flow

leaving the bones fragile, brittle, and sus-

ceptible to fractures.

Periodontal (gum) disease– the leading

cause of tooth loss in adults.

A tiny decrease in blood calcium can pro-

duce uncontrollable temper outbursts.

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Dietary Corner

Spring Chicken and Blue Cheese Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 pound of Trader Joe’s grilled chicken

strips

CREAMY BLUE CHEESE-

TARRAGON DRESSING

2 ounces blue cheese

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon

or 1 teaspoon dried

1 tablespoon honey

1-2 tablespoons nonfat Greek yogurt

1/8 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

SALAD

1 head butter head lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

1/2 head radicchio, cored and very thinly sliced

1 cup baby arugula or mixed baby greens

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

PREPARATION:

To prepare dressing: Mash blue cheese, oil, vinegar, tarragon and honey together in a medium

bowl with a fork until well combined. For a creamier dressing, add yogurt 1 tablespoon at a

time, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.

To assemble salad: Gently toss lettuce, radicchio and arugula (or mixed greens) in a large bowl.

Divide the greens among 4 plates, top with equal portions of the chicken, spoon 2 tablespoons

of the dressing over each salad and sprinkle with walnuts.

S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 8

My experience with lymphedema dates back to a breast biopsy in 2000.

Shortly after my surgery, I needed follow-up care for inflammation and swelling in

my breast. This led to needle extraction and treatment with antibiotics. No one

even considered lymphedema as the source of my trouble. After all, it had just

been a biopsy and not anywhere near a lymph node.

Fortunately, fate intervened, and that led to my treatment with Phyllis

Gingrich. My condition was mild but exacerbated by my weekly airplane trips and

high stress levels.

My lymphedema is now stable, with little or no swelling. I’m able to do

outdoor activities again without worrying about swelling from the heat. Although

it may not be necessary, I wear my compression sleeve during air travel. I've even

re-discovered the joy of relaxing in natural hot springs.

My research and experience has resulted in a few tips that I’d like to share.

To understand my process of healing, I need to explain that I envision the lymph

fluid in my body as a flowing river. When the fluid is thick, it builds up and

congests. When I do the right things, it is thin and flowing.

I realize now that my issues with congested lymph go back to 1998 when I

developed severe Candida. Prior to my breast surgery, I had swelling in my face

and neck, especially in the lymph drainage area by my collarbone. I now know that

this was a backup of lymph fluid. With pre-existing conditions like I had, I’m not

really surprised that lymphedema developed from a simple biopsy.

I now understand those were my early signs of an improper functioning in

my lymph system. My biopsy was two years later and the diagnosis of

lymphedema followed.

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F i r s t H a n d b y

D a w n S u d m e i e r

T h e p e r s o n a l v i e w s o f t h o s e a f f e c t e d b y l y m p h e d e m a

Finally all the pieces came together when I discovered a disease called

Sjogren’s Syndrome in 2013. It’s an autoimmune disease that affects 4 million pa-

tients in the US and 90% of the patients are women. After my appointment with

my internist, he ran blood tests to confirm my suspicions. Sjogren’s is all about dry-

ness. Your eyes and mouth may be the first affected areas. But all instances of

Sjogren’s are systemic, affecting the entire body.

My intuition was that my “lymph river” was drying up. Sjogren’s Syndrome-

was literally drying out my body. I’m convinced that there is a connection between

lymphedema and Sjogren’s Syndrome The job of the lymph system is to remove tox-

ins from the body. When that doesn’t happen properly, the immune system attacks

those toxins and eventually attacks other parts of the body. This is autoimmune ill-

ness in its most simple terms.

In 2014, my left cheek swelled up like I had mumps, effecting the parotid

gland. My intuition told me that it was a lymph issue. So I started lymph drainage

massage on my face and neck, and saw immediate improvement. I increased the

herbal extracts that I use for lymph congestion. This is a custom blended tincture

containing red root, poke root and burdock. Then I started a new supplement called

Wobenzyme. This supplement contains digestive enzymes. When you take it on an

empty stomach, it digests the particles of food and toxins left in your body.

In the process, it allows the lymph system to remove those toxins and actually

thins the lymph fluid. My suspicions were confirmed by a scientific study released

in 2014. The researchers discovered that the parotid glands were swelling with

lymphocytes and thus that is why I responded so well to the lymph-based therapies.

I’m convinced that those of us with lymphedema need to approach our lymph

issues as a “whole body” issue, not just the affected area. I changed my diet to an

anti-inflammatory approach with no gluten, dairy, corn, soy or sugar. I take anti-

inflammatory supplements like turmeric. I added moisture with Omegas through

fish oil, borage oil, flaxseed, and sea buckthorn. I recently started hyaluronic acid

which attracts moisture to your skin, muscles and joints. I drink 8-10 glasses of fil-

tered water daily.

F i r s t H a n d C o n t i n u e d

S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 1 0

I’ve continued my herbal tonic, the Wobenzyme and facial lymph drainage mas-

sage. I get daily exercise in the swimming pool, on the exercycle or walking out-

doors. I also started doing Qi Gong and Tai Chi. Both stimulate the movement of

the lymph fluid and boost the immune system. I discovered some videos by Dr.

John Douillard. One of his videos demonstrated deep breathing through the nos-

trils. You are supposed to breathe so fully that your diaphragm pushes out as you

inhale and pulls in as you exhale. This pumps the lymph fluid throughout the

body. Sometimes I extend my arms to the side on the inhale and swing them into

a hug on the exhale. I do my exercises for my arm nightly during the summer. I

dry-brush my body a couple of times a week before I shower. And every few

months, I splurge on a full-body lymphatic massage.

My lymph issues are almost non-existent. I look 10 years younger. I feel energetic

again and maintain a busy schedule. My mood improved and “brain power” re-

turned. Last year, the scientists discovered that there is a lymph system in the

brain. I’m convinced that my problems with mood and brain power were related

to the brain lymphatic issues.

My Sjogren’s syndrome is considered to be “in remission” but this is a lifelong

journey. I’ve astounded the MDs in this area with my progress. I refused to take

any prescription immune-suppressant drugs. They expected a rapid decline in my

health. Instead they saw a woman who at age 71 was thriving again.

Contact Dawn: [email protected] to get more details concerning alternative treatments and

formulas she has used to control - Lymphedema

Candida and

Sjogren’s Syndrome

F i r s t H a n d C o n t i n u e d

If you have a story you’d like to publish about your lymphedema

experience, email us at -

[email protected]

S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 1 1

CONDITIONS THAT SEEM TO COMPLICATE OR WORSEN

LYMPHEDEMA

Radiation

Extreme heat

Chemotherapy

Reconstructive surgery

Infections

Any invasive treatment/surgery

Air travel

Blood pressure on affected arm

Increased altitudes - above 4,000 ft.

Breast Implant preparation

Repeated aspirations of body fluids

Injections in the affected area (arm or leg)

Body massage of the affected quadrant

Liposuction of the affected area

Any surgery in the affected quadrant

S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 1 2

A bona fide Lymphedema Therapist

must have/be:

1. A medical professional with solid background in

anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system

2. Completed 140 hrs. of education in the field of

lymphedema with -

3. Approximately 2 x’s that amount of time in

practicum preparation

4. 5 years’ experience in the field of lymphedema

treatment and care

5. Pass the LANA Test to become a Nationally Qual-

ified Lymphedema Therapist

(Ginger-K Center meets all these criteria)

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S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 , V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 1 P a g e 1 4

Ranger

Patrick

Jason

Protector

Authorized Dealer

for

Dr. Comfort Shoes

Vista Slippers

Comfort Socks

Men

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Tonya Boot Refresh

Sandy-for knee comfort

Fashion Compression

Shannon

Riley Women

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Fu l l S er v i ce F o o t C a re

Joining us in Suite-270:

Sara Karamloo, DPM, Podiatrist

Ginger-K Center is:

Authorized Dealer for Dr. Comfort Shoes (Shoes for Comfort)

Orthotics

Custom &

Off-The-Shelf

16360 Monterey Street

Suite 270

Morgan Hill 95037-5406

Phone: (408) 782-1028

Fax: (408) 782-1061

Email: [email protected]