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DRSladic.com
August 2023
DANGER IS IN THE AIR — LITERALLY! What Wildfire Smoke Does to Our Bodies
For the past few months, the air in Michigan hasn’t been as crisp and clear as we’re used to. In fact, a thick haze has been covering the Great Lakes region, all caused by wildfires raging just north of us in Canada’s western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. I’ll be honest with you: I didn’t notice any difference in the air quality from these fires at first. Every day on the news, anchors talked about how harmful the smoke was or how unsafe it was to breathe. But I get outside pretty often and didn’t notice anything in the air — that is until one day in July. I stepped outside and, for the first time, noticed there was a distinct smell that wasn’t normal for our typical Michigan summers. It didn’t really smell like a campfire as I expected, but something out of the ordinary for the “usual” outdoor scents you’d expect to encounter — something more acrid. I later found out that the news reported the air quality was at an all-time low on this day, and my immediate next thought was that if I was finally smelling these fires and breathing in the smoke, my patients likely were too. Often, many people are concerned about the chemicals in their foods, drinks, or soaps, but let’s remember — we also take in air. Like food or drink, the air you breathe is another way your body consumes chemicals and environmental pollutants. To put these
airborne chemicals into perspective, an air quality index (AQI) score of 20 is equivalent to smoking one cigarette a day. During the last week of June, Michigan saw AQI scores as high as 337, equal to smoking 16 cigarettes a day. All of that to say, if you’ve been outside in the last month or so like I have, your exposure to environmental pollutants has been higher than average. Some people may experience reactions to these contaminants, including headaches, trouble breathing, runny eyes and nose, or irritated sinuses. These reactions don’t necessarily mean you need to rush to the hospital but that your body is trying to neutralize whatever is in the air that’s harming your body.
combat it. When this happens, our bodies create “free radicals,” or unstable molecules that can trigger many diseases. So, to bring it full circle, when we breathe in air with an AQI of 337, the resulting oxidative stress is way above our natural threshold, and we create more free radicals, putting us at a higher risk of disease. The question then becomes, “What can you do to combat it?” Well, it’s not likely that you alone can stop the wildfires, but you can help your body create more of those little antioxidant fighters. On Pages 2 and 3 of this newsletter, I’ll provide a few antioxidant-rich foods to eat and supplements you can take to help your body fight oxidative stress. The other thing you can do to help yourself is to perform a detox to remove some of the toxins from your body. Now, it probably doesn’t make sense to detox during a time of high pollution like we’re in now, but once the fires go down and the smoke (literally) clears, your body would majorly benefit from a deep cleanse. For anyone interested in my 10-day detox program, listen to my new conference call at 1-712-432-8774 (conference ID 25555 and sharing ID 101010).
So, what exactly can harm your body?
Well, we know common culprits, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, affect our health, but so can something called “oxidative stress,” which environmental pollutants fall under. We actually breathe in these contaminants all the time, even when there are no fires. However, we rarely notice symptoms or distress from these pollutants because little helpers in our bodies, called “antioxidants,” handle oxidative stress.
–Dr. Tom Sladic
The problem arises when the oxidative stress exceeds the body’s natural threshold to
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
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FIND YOUR STRIDE
HOW NORDIC WALKING CAN HELP YOU GET MOVING
• Low Impact: Since Nordic walking uses poles to support the body through each step, there is much less impact on the joints and ligaments. • Reduces Joint Pain: Because Nordic walking poles help the body balance, the user’s joints (especially the back and knees, which the body typically tends to overcorrect) can find relief. • Improved Cardiovascular Health: Remember, almost any movement is good for you, and Nordic walking is no different. By getting those steps in, you’ll lower your cholesterol and enjoy improved cardiovascular fitness. • Improved Mental Health: Research shows that physical activity boosts mood while actively lowering the risk of depression. And since users of Nordic walking typically walk outdoors, they also enjoy the mental benefits of being around nature. Where can you find Nordic walking poles? The most accessible place to find Nordic walking poles is online. Retailers like Amazon and Bass Pro Shops sell the poles, but a great resource is YorkNordic.com America’s No. 1 Nordic walking pole retailer. If you prefer to shop in person, Target, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and athletic stores typically carry poles too. If you’d like more information on Nordic walking, you can always search the term on Google or YouTube for tips and tricks on starting the habit!
You’ve heard from your doctors, family, and friends alike how important movement is for individuals as they age. Regular walking is the best way for many older adults to get that daily movement in. But what if going for a walk is easier said than done? That’s why many older adults who suffer from balance and/ or mobility issues are partaking in something called Nordic walking or pole walking. What is Nordic walking? Nordic walking is when an individual uses two chest-height poles, much like ski poles, while pushing each one into the ground with every step. The benefit of the poles is that they help the user balance and stand straight, while the act of pushing the poles into the ground actually increases upper body strength and flexibility.
What are the benefits of Nordic walking?
Aside from helping with balance, strength, and mobility, Nordic walking touts a few other health benefits users can enjoy.
BOOST YOUR BODY’S DEFENSE Fight Free Radicals with Antioxidant-Rich Foods!
As we talked about on Page 1, the best way to help your body fight the uptick in free radicals after inhaling heavily polluted air is to increase your antioxidants.
• • • • • •
Broccoli Spinach Carrots
• • • • • •
Beets
Sweet potatoes
Squash
Free radicals are harmful because they don’t have a stable amount of electrons, so they zip around your body, stealing electrons from your cells, which damages them. However, when an antioxidant bumps into a free radical, the antioxidant gives the free radical some of its electrons. When this electron trade-off occurs, the free radical becomes neutralized and no longer needs to steal from human tissue. It becomes harmless!
boost thanks to something called polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of plant pigment that gives bright fruit its stunning color. When they interact with the cells in your body, they produce antioxidants! All brightly colored fruits will indeed work, but if you need some inspiration, excellent antioxidant-rich fruits include:
Artichokes Cabbage Asparagus
Pumpkin
Collard greens
Kale
Also, it’s worth mentioning that while they aren’t necessarily brightly colored, tests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that russet potatoes rank in the top 20 highest antioxidant foods. So pass the potatoes, please! Beverages Believe it or not, many drink options also offer our bodies a ton of antioxidants. Of course, any juices made from the fruits and veggies listed above will contain antioxidants from the polyphenols, but warm drinks like green tea, black tea, and even coffee have high levels also. Just remember that adding milk or cream to your coffee or tea will block the antioxidants, so consider drinking them straight for the next few months!
• • •
Blueberries Blackberries
• • • • • •
Peaches
Unfortunately, they don’t make an “antioxidant miracle drug,” but we can
Raspberries Strawberries
Red delicious, gala, and Granny Smith apples
increase antioxidants in our bodies through diet and supplementation. We’ll cover which supplements you can take on Page 3, but in this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of antioxidant-rich foods you should eat more of following the wildfires in Canada. Brightly Colored Fruits While all fruits are good for you, brightly colored fruits offer a special antioxidant
Plums
Cherries Tomatoes
• •
Cranberries Red grapes
Brightly Colored Vegetables Fruits aren’t the only ones with polyphenols — veggies have them too! Great examples of bright vegetables are:
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SWEET POTATO JALAPEÑO POPPERS
We covered free radicals and antioxidants on Page 1 of this newsletter and antioxidant-rich foods on Page 2, where we also mentioned that there’s another way you can increase the antioxidants in your body: supplementation. When it comes to which supplements to take, we definitely have a favorite at Natural Solutions for Health; however, we know that only some supplements we list may be available near you. So we’re providing two options to help your body create more antioxidants to fight free radicals. Glutathione Our favorite supplement by far is glutathione, a very powerful antioxidant that naturally occurs in every cell of our bodies. Glutathione is made from three types of amino acids, and what’s unique about this particular antioxidant is that your body creates it in your liver, which is not the case for most antioxidants. Its presence in the liver is essential because this organ plays a critical role in eliminating toxins from your body, so the fact that glutathione can exist there means your liver has extra help and a higher chance of expelling those free radicals. You can find glutathione in many supplement stores. For people who have trouble absorbing glutathione in a pill form, we typically recommend liquid glutathione to patients, as it has a higher absorption rate. HELP YOUR BODY CREATE MORE ANTIOXIDANTS With These 2 Key Supplements
Healthy, zingy, and savory, these vegan sweet potato jalapeño poppers are a flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
• 1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces • 1/4 cup unsweetened plant- based milk • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric • Salt and pepper, to taste • 7 fresh jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large saucepan, place sweet potato chunks in a steamer basket. Add water just below steamer basket and boil. Steam for around 10 minutes. Remove sweet potatoes, and let cool in a bowl before mashing. 3. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, yeast, vinegar, and turmeric. Boil, then cook for 1 minute or until thickened. 4. In a blender, combine milk mixture and mashed sweet potatoes until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Spoon sweet potato mixture into jalapeño halves. Place on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
We have an excellent liquid glutathione we trust if you’re interested in this option. Give us a call, and we’ll have it sent right to your door!
WORD SEARCH
N-acetyl Cysteine If glutathione isn’t available near you, the next best option is N-acetyl cysteine. N-acetyl cysteine is a “conditionally essential” amino acid, meaning supplementing it usually isn’t necessary because your body can make it from other amino acids. Except, that is, during times of illness or stress when your body will need more of it than it can produce on its own — like, for example, after breathing in a surplus of toxins in the air. You’d want to take an N-acetyl cysteine supplement because it’s actually one of the three amino acids that make glutathione. So if you can’t find glutathione but your local store offers N-acetyl cysteine, it’s a great option as your body will naturally turn it into the powerful antioxidant glutathione. Regardless of your choice, both supplements are excellent at increasing the number of antioxidants in your body! To order supplements call 248-912-2962 .
Backpack Books Daffodil Festival Friends Harvest Learning Meteor Produce Smores Sunscreen Yardwork
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. THIS Is What Happens When You Breathe Wildfire Smoke
2. Walking Just Got Easier!
3 Foods to Boost Your Body’s Antioxidants!
3. Sweet Potato Jalapeño Poppers
Supplements That Help Your Body Fight Free Radicals
4. When Life Gives You Lemons
SQUEEZE THE DAY Juicy Uses for Lemons
Stick-No-More How often have you cooked rice in a pot on the stove, only to have it stick to the bottom of the pan? So frustrating! Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your rice’s boiling water to prevent this grain from sticking!
Lemons — they’re sour, aromatic, and juicy. Contrary to popular belief, though, these little citrus fruits can be utilized in more ways than making lemonade or as a kitchen staple. There are many unusual and
in your mouth. Because lemon juice can erode the enamel on your teeth, follow it up with some plain water! Clean Your Microwave Try this hack if you have food buildup in your microwave. In a bowl, combine water, lemon juice, and slices of lemon. Heat the mixture in your microwave on high for three minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe the microwave’s interior clean! You’ll be surprised just how easily the residue cleans up! Breathe Easier When you’re sick, one of the most frustrating things is congestion. Drink lemon juice and hot water to reduce phlegm, soothe the throat, and relieve other cold symptoms.
resourceful applications that may surprise you! Here are some fun and creative uses for lemons around the house and for your health and wellness! Fight Off Bugs Pests like ants, mosquitoes, and spiders enjoy summertime, but insects can make humans miserable. Citrus oil found in lemon peels is a
Remove Blemishes Did you know that lemon juice is a natural astringent? Applying
just a tiny amount after cleaning and
drying your skin clears pores and removes oil and dirt that can lead to acne and zits.
Freshen Your Breath Lemon juice is an excellent tool for combating bad breath. Drinking lemon water can help fight odor-causing bacteria
natural bug repellent. In fact, the scent alone keeps them away. Place lemon peels on your counters, windowsills, and the nooks and crannies of your house to keep bugs out!
Who would have thought the lowly lemon had so many practical applications?
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