FREE MONTHLY LECTURE

NUTRITION &
PROSTATE HEALTH

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 1, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Gelco Spine & Sports Center
1629 West Avenue J, Suite 101
Lancaster, California

Speaker:
Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN
▸ Doctor of Nutrition and Homeopathy
▸ Health & Wellness Educator
▸ Motivational Coach

Dr. Sconiers will lead an open discussion focusing on the benefits of specific health promoting nutrients and herbs that support prostate health. He will also discuss the foods, items and lifestyle choices that are detrimental to prostate health.
All questions are welcome!

Seating is limited.
Call (661) 729-4533 or 942-3346

now to reserve a seat.

Monthly Article

WATER:
LIFE’S FLUID - GETS NO RESPECT Water is the most precious fluid on earth and is also the most abundant. Two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered with water, with only 3% being fresh water. Chemically known as H2O, this clear, tasteless liquid is an essential constituent of all living matter. Our body is over 70% water, muscle tissue is 75% water and our brain is 85% water. At birth, a new born is 78% water. A full-grown adult can survive weeks and sometimes months without food (recall the multiple month fasts of Ghandi and Dick Gregory), but would survive for only about 10 days without water depending on the location and temperature. Yet we in the U.S. do not drink nearly as much of this vital fluid as we should. As a matter of fact one of the most commonly consumed liquids by Americans is coffee at an estimated 423 million cups daily, followed by sodas at 64.5 gallons yearly per person followed by juices, flavored drinks, sports drinks, milk and tea.

How important is water for our existence? Every one of our 60 to 100 trillion cells is bathed in water. Digestion, circulation, neurotransmission, lubrication, respiration and excretion could not take place without this precious fluid. Water is also a superior transporter of vital nutrients to every organ and tissue. It is a regulator of body temperature, serves as the basic substance for tissue building and repair, detoxification and maintaining youthfulness and flexibility. The liquid portion of human blood, plasma, is predominately water. Water is so crucial to our existence it must be replenished every 24 hours. If a small child loses more than 15 to 20% of his/her body weight in water via vomiting or severe diarrhea (dehydration), it is likely to parish. It is sad to note that 70% of all preschool children drink no water at all.

What if I don’t like to drink water? Fortunately, a good nutritious source of water is via fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables can be as much as 60 to 96% water. For example, lettuce can be 96% water, watermelon 94% water, apples are 85% water, broccoli, carrots and beets are all about 91% water. Unfortunately, many Americans take water for granted and rarely drink it regularly. Drinking coffee, sodas, tea, fruit juices, sports drinks and other forms of liquids besides robbing the body of valuable nutrients, will not satisfy the body’s need for pure water. The solutes, the non water constituents found in these beverages, interfere with the cell’s ability to absorb the much needed water across their cell membranes into their interior. The interior of our trillions of cells is 90% water. Without a healthy regular supply of usable water, the cells do not function properly, are easily damaged and tend to age rapidly. So how much water should a person drink? Divide your body weight by two and drink that number in ounces. For example, a 150-pound person would need to drink 75 ounces of water daily.

WATER LOSS
We normally lose nine to 12 cups of water throughout a normal day and cannot always depend on our thirst indicator light to go off when we need to replenish our water supply. The center that controls thirst is located in the part of the brain called the “hypothalamus” and as mentioned above is not always reliable, especially in the elderly and during the winter months.

HOW DO WE LOSE WATER

• Water escapes via perspiration, urine, feces, tears, nasal discharge, and respiration/exhalation.
• Also, water is forced out via the diuretic effects of caffeine, coffee, tea, sodas and certain medications.

A FEW AVENUES OF ACTION:

• Strive to make 70% of your diet water-rich foods.
• Vow to drink half your body weight in ounces every 24 hours.
• Drink four ounces of water every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day.
• Set aside one day a week to read about health and nutrition.
• Get family members involved in drinking more water versus other beverages.

For more in-depth information about water and healthy hydration, please see the list of references below and/or watch for my upcoming lectures.

References:
Water: The Fountain of Youth and Beauty......William D. Holloway and Herb Joiner Bey, N.D.

Water the Ultimate Cure.......................................Steve Meyerorwitz

Living Health..........................................................Anthony Robbins

Sugar Blues..........................................................William Duffy

Caffeine Blues................................................Steven Cherniski, M.S.

For more information and to schedule an
appointment with Dr. Wallace,
please call (661) 729-4533.
Services & Fees: www.drwallacesconiers.net

Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN

FREE MONTHLY LECTURE

NUTRITION & CANCER

Date & Time: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Gelco Spine & Sports Medicine Center
1629 West Avenue J, Suite 101
Lancaster, California

Speaker: Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN
• Doctor of Nutrition and Homeopathy
• Health & Wellness Educator
• Motivational Coach

Dr. Sconiers will lead an open discussion focusing on the benefits of specific health promoting and cancer fighting foods, immune supporting foods, nutrients and herbs. He will add insight into the relationship between dietary habits and disease states. All questions are welcome!

Seating is limited.
Call (661) 729-4533 or 942-3346
now to reserve a seat.

THE FOOD AFFECT

Delightful or Spiteful

As with all people from all communities in this country we tend to take our food eating “very seriously,” and unfortunately, in many cases negligently. Sure there are those who are never able to get enough food to the table or mouth(s) on a daily and regular basis such as the poor and the homeless, but for the most part the great majority of us in the U.S. eat way too much food, way too often and of the wrong type (too much fat, salt, sugar, grease and calories). Until recently, the United States held the record for being the most overweight population on the planet. According to researchers, the new “Heavy Weight Champ” is Australia. This statistic really does not sit well with me when you realize that there are only a little more than 21 million people living in Australia to date, compared to our whopping 300 million mouths here in the United States. Nonetheless, the moral of the story is, no matter what our position is on the “heavy weight food chain” we still eat far too much and it’s killing us taste-fully and with a vengeance (don’t even get me started on sodas and booze). When you consider that eight out of the ten leading causes of death in the U.S. are diet related: 1. Heart disease, 2. Cancer, 3. Pulmonary, 4. Pneumonia/influenza, 5. Diabetes, 6. Kidney failure, 7. Liver disease, and 8. Alzheimer’s; 9 and 10 are car accidents and suicide.

Our food choices and eating habits are destroying our physiques, self-esteem and overall health at an alarming rate despite how good it tastes or how good it makes us feel. Because of how much and what we eat, more than half of the U.S. population is dangerously overweight. Again, this is because we take in far too much unhealthy food and are not as active as we could be (and yes some people are big-boned and may have a glandular problem!). Sugar intake, since the early 1800s, increased from twelve pounds a year per person to about 180 pounds a year today. As a barometer of how much we consume daily, consider the amount of food we waste or throw away each day. One nationally known fast food restaurant chain has more than 8,500 stores in the U.S. and generates 300 pounds of waste per store daily. This number can be easily multiplied by 130,000 other fast food restaurants. These numbers do not include numerous high-end sit-down restaurants. What do we do to end this delicious health-destroying ride? Simple, we decide to “Do Better” starting now. Begin by taking an honest look and inventory of how and what you eat, followed by the question, am I truly hungry right now or am I just wanting to eat. Then make a conscious choice to take appropriate action in eating and thinking better about your food choices beginning with breakfast.

A FEW COMMON REASONS FOR OVEREATING

• Stress, which promotes the production of fat producing hormones (i.e., cortisol).
• Missing meals and finding yourself ravenous throughout the day.
• Easy access and availability to unhealthy packaged and convenience foods.
• Being bored or emotionally unfulfilled.
• Being afflicted with a parasite or an eating disorder.
• Family tradition or upbringing.
• Glandular disorder such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, etc.

A FEW AVENUES OF ACTION:
∙ Embark on a regular exercise routine 4 to 5 days a week.
∙ Avoid empty calorie junk and highly refined foods.
∙ Join a food watch group or club (or form your own).
∙ Start to read about health and fitness.
∙ Get family members involved in a new diet direction.
∙ Find a good nutritionist or health care practitioner.
∙ Practice meditation and/or yoga.
∙ Begin to frequent natural food stores and attend health seminars.

For more in-depth information about weight loss and healthy eating, please see the list of references below.

References:
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary....F. A. Davis Company
Fast Food Nation..........................Mitchell Sperlock
Surgeon General’s Report......United States Government
Sugar Blues.............................William Duffy
Caffeine Blues...........Steven Cherniski, M.S.

Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN

For more information and to schedule an
appointment with Dr. Wallace,
please call (661) 729-4533.
Services & Fees: www.drwallacesconiers.net

Nutrient of the Month - July

Alpha Lipoic Acid,
The Master Blaster

Antioxidants:
Over the last 10 to 15 years there has been an increasing amount of talk, press and buzz about free radicals and the items, foods and nutrients that combat them called antioxidants. What is a free radical and what does it do you ask?! They are renegade molecules traveling throughout our bodies that have an unpaired electron and if left unguarded will aggressively steal an electron from healthy tissue, causing damage, toxicity, degenerative diseases, aging and in some instances death of tissue and cells. Free radicals are produced in the body by several means: as a result of the cellular metabolic process, from environmental pollutants, radiation, chemical exposure, diabetes, stress, over exposure to the sun, and from alcohol and tobacco use. Free radicals produced by the body actually have useful purposes such as supporting immune function and destroying unwanted cells and microbes. However, when there is an overproduction or influx, they become destructive to our health. Agents that combat the effects of free radials are called antioxidants. The more well-known antioxidants are nutrients like vitamins C, E, A, beta-carotene, the minerals selenium and zinc, certain B-vitamins, specific amino acids (glutathione, cysteine, methionine), and constituents found in fresh fruit, berries and dark-green leafy vegetables. In addition, there are numerous flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and isoflavonoids found throughout nature that are also excellent antioxidants.

Alpha Lipoic Acid, the master antioxidant, also known as thioctic acid, was isolated in 1951 and is produced in the body in small amounts. As we age, the body loses the ability to produce alpha lipoic acid in sufficient quantities. According to many experts on antioxidants, this vitamin-like substance is the superstar of antioxidant players. Not only does alpha lipoic acid outshine the many other antioxidants in performance, it also enhances the function of several of the more popular antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione (an amino acid), and assists in their recycling (antioxidants are normally used up in the process of defeating free radicals). Like most superstars, alpha lipoic acid has many fantastic moves. It also has the ability to cleave on to toxic heavy metals in the blood stream and escort them out of the body, assist the pancreas in sound glucose management, reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity. It also aids in efficient neurotransmission in the brain, it assists in elevated energy production at the cellular level, increases efficient calorie use and weight loss, it crosses the blood brain barrier and unlike other antioxidants is both water and fat soluble. This means that alpha lipoic acid can work well both inside and outside the cell structure of any organ including the brain. Yes, this nutrient is truly the MVP of antioxidants.

Common Uses of Alpha Lipoic Acid at a Glance

• Excellent liver detoxifier and rejuvenator
• Combats chronic hepatitis B and C
• Prevents development of cataracts
• Facilitates the efficient use of glucose or blood sugar by all organs
• Prevents the pain of diabetic neuropathy
• Assists sound cardiovascular function
• Aids in proper pancreatic function and glucose management
• Assists in minimizing damage of strokes & aiding the recovery of stroke victims
• Is a superb anti aging nutrient
• Supports the recycling of other antioxidants
• Is one of few substances that can cross the blood brain barrier

Dietary Sources:

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Beef
• Yeast
• Kidney
• Heart

References:

Syndrome X..................J. Challem, B. Berkson, M. Smith
Preventing Diabetes with Natural Medicines.....
..........Michael Murray, N.D.
Healthy Aging............................................Andrew Weil, M.D.
Integrative Medicine Access.........
..............Integrated Medicine Communications
Clinical Pearls Data Base..........................Kirk Hamilton

Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN

For more information and to schedule an appointment with
Dr. Wallace, please call (661) 729-4533.
Services & Fees: www.drwallacesconiers.net

Condition of the Month - June

Candida Albicans
Candidiasis (often called candida) is an infectious condition caused by an overgrowth of the parasitic yeast-like fungus Candida Albicans. This fungus is normally found in the vagina, genital tract, mouth, throat, esophagus, intestinal tract and on the skin. Its growth is usually kept in check by an enormous number of friendly bacteria (there are more than 100 trillion bacteria inhabiting the human intestinal tract) inhabiting the same local or organ. If the infection is located in the mouth, it is known as thrush or moniliasis. Systemic candidiasis is an overgrowth of candida throughout the body. In extreme cases candida can enter the bloodstream and invade every organ system causing a type of blood poisoning called candida septicemia.

Causes
There are over a dozen different causes of candida, however, a few of the more "usual suspects" are: 1. Overuse of antibiotics; 2. Birth control pills; 3. Stress and elevated cortisol levels; 4. Chlorine found in ordinary tap water; 5. Poor dietary habits particularly refined carbohydrate and sugar consumption; 6. Constipation; 7. Excess use of drugs and alcohol; 8. Immune deficiency (i.e., AIDS or cancer); and 9. Diabetes. This is only a short list of possible culprits found to promote candidiasis.

Symptoms
Typically, when there is an overgrowth of candida there will be complaints of uncomfortable bloating, flatulence, food reactions or sensitivities, allergies, fatigue, chronic constipation, diarrhea, lack of concentration, skin rash, discharge, nail fungus, fever, eczema, depression, itching, memory loss, sugar cravings, oral thrush, and other various digestive problems. If the fungus is not properly controlled, it can spread throughout the vaginal area, prostate, lungs, heart and liver, sparking a myriad of problems. It is important to note that 80% of all healthy people will have normal colonies of candida in their mouth, gastrointestinal system, vagina and rectum, however, these colonies are kept in check by the presence and efforts of scores of friendly bacteria that prevent infection from occurring.

A FEW COMMON CANDIDA FIGHTERS
1. Garlic in any form, preferably raw and onions.
2. Multistrained probiotics or friendly bacteria (acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum).
3. Pau D’Arco tea, green tea, tea tree oil, oregano oil, clove oil and grapefruit seed oil.
4. Black walnut, goldenseal, caprylic acid, raspberries and strawberries.

A FEW DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS
• All sugars should be avoided because candida thrives on sugars.
• Avoid alcohol because it is fermented, contains sugar and suppresses the immune system.
• Avoid all milk which contains lactose.
• Avoid all foods containing yeast and vinegar.
• Limit those foods that may be possible allergens.
• Avoid mold containing foods: cheese, grapes, mushrooms, leftovers and fermented foods.
• Make sure meats and poultry are free of antibiotics and growth hormones.
• Eat only mercury-free seafood whenever possible.
For more in-depth information about candida and what can be done, please see the list of references below and/or attend my upcoming lecture on Combating Candida, June 25, 2008 (see lecture information below).

References
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary ................ F. A. Davis Company
Integrative Medicine Access, Professional Reference to Conditions, Herbs and Supplements
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide ................ Burton Goldberg Group
The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine ................ Charles B. Clayman, M.D.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing ................ James F. Balch, M. D.
The Yeast Connection ................ William C. Crook, M. D.

Nutritional Services Information: www.drwallacesconiers.net
Email: DrWallaceSays@aol.com

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