Being a conscious consumer

Being a conscious health consumer saved me over $2,000 dollars today. Yes, that's right!

In February, I took my 4 year old to the Dentist for the first time because I had some concerns about discolouration between his front teeth. The Dentist was concerned that there were caries in several teeth (front included) and referred us to a Children's Specialist in town. I got lectured about my decision to not use a flouride toothpaste and offered an alternative "mousse" product - when I checked the ingredients, the second ingredient listed was Propylene Glycol. So I politely declined this offer and said I was happy with my current products and not convinced that flouride would have helped more than it would harm. We agreed to disagree. I know enough on the issue not to be swayed by a Dentist I have only just met.

I believe I am well informed on the flouride debate from many seminars I have been to and my own reading. There has been a lot of information circulated in recent years as Brisbane has only recently had the water supply flouridated. In addition, a few years ago a good friend of mine had the same situation with her 4 year old daughter and she had been taking flouride tablets since being a baby. So I knew that the avoidance of flouride had little to do with the caries in my child's teeth. I am well aware of the dangers of flouride and would rather avoid it if possible.

So we went to the Children's Specialist last week. They examined my sons teeth and declared that he would require a general anaesthetic of up to 2 hours, 4 to 5 stainless steel crowns and white fillings on his front teeth. They would X-ray while he was under the anaesthetic. This procedure was going to cost $2,300. I had the same conversation with the "specialist" about flouride, was offered the same mousse product alternative (which contained Propylene Glycol) and when I explained that I would not use that either, they suggested dipping the toothbrush into a common commercially available brand of strong mouthwash to brush his teeth. I also declined this option, being aware of the dangers of alcohol in these types of mouthwash products and the risks to the sensitive mucous membranes in the mouth. Being given no option, really, but to proceed I booked in for the surgery and went away wondering how and where I could get a second opinion.

I rang around several friends in my personal network and came up with 2 options, and did a Google search which yielded a "holistic dentist" in a neighbouring suburb. I weighed up the options and chose a Dentist I had heard by reputation through my health network as being exceptional, even though he was a long way away.

Thinking I would have little chance of getting in to see him quickly, I rang yesterday. They had an appointment available this morning at 9am. It was a solid hour's drive, but worth every second.

When we got there, the Dentist put us wholly at ease. He spent a lot of time examining the child physically and taking a medical history. He agreed with me that it was likely other factors which had caused the decay: antibiotics and ventolin at the least. After a long discussion, he examined the child's teeth, then called in a colleague, who also examined the child's teeth. They both agreed that the procedure which had been recommended was unnecessary. The Dentist I had booked into laughed and said "that's good, for a moment I thought I should be off seing the Optomitrist to make sure there was nothing wrong with my eyes!". Now this is a man who has been in practice for 30 years! He also approved my choice of dental products (not that I needed his approval, but it was nice to be able to talk about it professionally).

My son is now booked in for a couple of small fillings next week.

Once home, I rang the "Specialist" and cancelled the surgery and asked for a refund of the $850 deposit I had paid. They agreed without asking why I was cancelling and without trying to cnvince me to proceed. I thought that quite strange. Think about the ramifications of their reaction for a moment. Hmmm.

Several key things struck me.

If I was uninformed on this issue, I could easily have been intimidated by the specialist to proceed with that surgery. For that matter, I could have been intimidated on the flouride issue, which I had to debate twice. The surgery would have cost us a small fortune as well as put my child at risk. Any anaesthetic is a risk. Not to mention the metals permanently placed in his mouth that could affect his longer term health.

I was overwhelmingly thankful that we have a percentage of health care professionals who are more committed to a holistic approach that cares about the patient, as opposed to making money as a business.

I was thankful for my network of friends and professionals that I could reach out to at a time like this and get information that could be critical to the future well being of my child.

It pays to be informed and sometimes it can pay very well. In more ways than in your pocket.

I may have raised a lot of issues here that readers might not understand or relate to. If you feel that way, perhaps there are some issues for you to explore a little further in your own health journey. If my story resonates with you, then I hope you can draw some strength and conviction in your own beliefs, whatever they may be. Always seek a second opinion if you feel that something is not quite right. It may be the best thing you can do.

Be well!

Deidre.

Mosquito Bites

OK, I need help this time. I am keen to find a non-toxic solution to stop mozzies and midgies from biting us. Only myself and my older son seem to be mozzie magnets. Our legs in particular are "a mess". I put several table spoons of bi-carbonate of soda into his bath tonight and soaked my legs at the same time and it certainly seems to have taken the itch away. Thank goodness!

We have tried Vitamin B1. I am taking 250mg a day, but it doesn't seem to make a difference to me. I thought I'd try this on myself first. Perhaps if I increase the dose?

Any advice on a sensible and safe solution would be welcome!

regards,
Deidre.

Chemical Free Kids Ten News Report from 2009

Nearly 12 months ago I attended the Brisbane book launch of a new book by Dr Sarah Lantz called "Chemical Free Kids". I was interviewed as part of the Channel 10 news report and this is now available for you to see on YouTube:

Chemical Free Kids Channel 10 news report, 8th April 2009
(reproduced with permission from Channel 10)

Be well!

Deidre.

Lottery or lifestyle?

Is our fundamental health, at any given time, the result of a lottery (our gene pool) or a result of our lifestyle (our daily choices in food, water and exercse)?

At the recent Phillip Day seminar he commented that we are taught that "nature is weak". This is quite a deliberate message because it reinforces our dependence in Western society on consumerism. When things do go wrong with our health, it sends us scurrying off to the Doctor, Dentist or other "professional" health care service to "fix" our problem, often at great expense. Unfortunately a lot of problems can't be "fixed" so easily. We have all but forgotten the phrase "prevention is better than cure". And we totally overlook the big picture of the "sickness industry" and how important it is to the economy to keep this sickness industry going. That has huge ramifications.

I have learnt a lot since recovering from Chronic Fatigue many years ago and I hope through this blog to educate others and by doing so hopefully delay or prevent the onset of serious problems in their health. Or help them find a way back to better health if they have already experienced some kind of a health crisis. Where are you on your journey? Could I walk along with you for a while? If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me and I can explore some answers for you on the blog.

Be well!

Deidre.

Being grateful

I had a lovely experience today. I am applying for a part time job closer to home and had to go to town for the "medical" this morning. In the waiting room, I flicked through a copy of a health magazine and read an article where several prominent Australian women were asked what made them happy and who they were grateful for. One response brought tears to my eyes when the lady said she was so grateful to have had a second child, so that her two children would both have someone to walk beside them through life.

I had a surge of maternal love for my boys, my miracle boys, and wrote this poem. Perhaps I shall just call it "My boys":

Two little boys
One reaching up - the other down
One day you'll be the same
In stature, I pray in confidence
In strength as well as name

Oh beautiful boys
Our precious gift
As babes our hope for you
That laced together are your lives
That you'll grow brave and true

To walk your lives
From here and now
Whatever paths you choose
You'll always hold each other close
and see life through "his shoes"

(c) Deidre Lowe, 2010, dedicated to brothers everywhere

Be well!
Deidre.

My television debut

This news item was run back in 2005. I led a team which had won a Federal Government infrastructure grant worth several million Australian dollars for the University to establish a project involving several other Australian and New Zealand Universities. On the news broadcast you see myself and my manager at the time, Professor Alan Smith. The project ran from 2005 to the end of 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBraE29Vghg

Enjoy!
Deidre

Water, water, water

"Once you understand how the human body works, the wonderful simplicity of water as a free and permanently available choice of medication for so many health problem begins to make sense."

If you only ever read one book on health and making the most of yours, choose one of Dr F. Batmanghelidj's books. "Water and Salt" or "Your Bodies Many Cries for Water". I have found these to be excellent, foundational tools for all health concerns.

Following this simple advice can be life changing. It can affect your mood, your ability to cope, your quality of sleep, your skin, your clarity of mind and your general feeling of wellbeing.

In the book "Water and Salt", he lists a huge number of illnesses and diseases that can be dramatically influenced with these simple tools, including Asthma and Allergy, stomach problems, hernia, pain, obesity, depression, high blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, headaches, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and alzheimer's disease. Many of these diseases have their basis in dehydration. "Obesity, depression and cancer are three of the labels we in medicine have created to describe the killer process of persistent unintentional dehydration in the body" (Water and Salt, page 35).

But read the book carefully or look at the website www.watercure.com, because you must use a pure salt and a pure water. Table salt, for example, is extremely toxic to the body. It is "not real salt" (page 37).

These are wonderful books and good information. Enjoy!

Be well,

Deidre.

More on "Water and Salt": signs of dehydration

I found this information really interesting - he talks about "perceptive markers of dehydration" as follows:

discrepancy in the rate of water supply to the brain
produces a certain number of sensory outcomes that
I consider thirst perceptions. They are as follows:

Feeling tired
Feeling flushed
Feeling irritable
Feeling anxious
Feeling dejected
Feeling depressed
Feeling inadequate
Feeling a “heavy load”
Cravings
Agoraphobia
When you are too tired to get out of bed first thing
in the morning, you are, in fact, so dehydrated that
your brain is refusing to get engaged in your daily
routine.

The book contains amazing stories of healing through the use of water and salt: cancer, asthma, ulcers, mental illness, diabetes, pain in the body, auto-immune disorders (Lupus, Chronic Fatigue etc) and many others.

If you are interested in knowing more about the water and salt therapy, look at the websites, particularly http://www.watercure.com/

As with all information, you need to know more than what I have told you here. In the interests of brevity, I will do several more posts on the topic to divide it up for you.

Be well!
Deidre.

Morning Sickness

I suffered very bad morning sickness with both of my pregnancies, the second one being so bad that I vomited everything I ate and in desperation ended up being prescribed Maxolon which I was on for the duration of the pregnancy.

One of the books I bought Sunday at the Phillip Day Seminar was "The essential guide to Water and Salt" by Dr F.Batmanghelidj and Phillip Day. After reading it cover to cover, I now think what we described as "morning sickness" was actually a form of bulimia. Listen to this:

Uncontrollable and repeated vomiting of the
stomach contents, which has been given the medical
labels of "heartburn" or "bulimia", could be one
of the waysthe body prevents irreparable damage
when it is severely dehydrated. When it is said
that bulimics feel hungry all the time, there is
confusion. As far as I'm concerned, they are
confusing their sensation of thirst with hunger.
When they should be drinking water, they eat.
Naturally the body rejects the food because it
does not possess enough water to digest and
assimilate the food. (extract from page 67)

I am unlikely to ever have another pregnancy myself, but if anyone suffering from severe morning sickness comes across this post, I would strongly recommend getting a copy of this book and reading it (or check out www.watercure.com) before taking a drug that masks the symptoms.

If you need any motivation to increase your water intake (that is, WATER, not any other beverage!) this book is a must read. I might do a book review to give you a taste of what a sensational book it is.

I delved into it because I was looking for a solution to my eldest son's hacking, wheezy cough which had been constant for several weeks (he is an asthmatic). Applying the water and salt therapy as described (using Himalayan pink salt) I can see a huge improvement in two days. I only remember him coughing twice today, as opposed to constant, lung wrenching spasms.

If you aren't sure where to buy the book, check Phillip's website at credence.org. You can also read more of Dr Batmanghelidj's work on the websites www.tagman-press.com and www.watercure.com.

Be well!

Deidre.

Phillip Day video testimonials

I spent 4 hours yesterday glued to my seat listening to Phillip Day speak at the Brisbane Mercure hotel. Fabulous speaker, fabulous information! I couldn't wait to get home and try some of the things he suggested myself.

Phillip is a health reporter and researcher with 20 years experience investigating. He heads up a publishing and research organization called Credence and tours the world educating every day people on how to dramatically improve their health with simple changes, simple solutions. His research is thorough, enlightening and life changing.

On Friday I found this link to some video testimonials by Australians, who have had remarkable healing in their lives as a result of going to a Phillip Day seminar - listen to them for yourselves:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2257361582609712661#

Do you reckon his information is worth hearing? Absolutely!

Be well,
Deidre.

A new approach to health

I am just reading The Hon. Kim Carr's An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century and this phrase caught my attention:

There is more to improving health, however, than inventing new drugs and medical devices. We also need to improve our understanding of the physical, environmental and social determinants of disease. We need to focus on prevention, not just on cure. We need to get smarter about the way we deliver healthcare, especially as our ageing population puts increasing pressure on services.

This is the 100th post to my blog and I think it is appropriate that the post turned out to be on prevention.

In the few years that I have been running the Health Highway I've been amazed time and again at how little we really know about wholistic health in modern western society and have been quite shocked at the fabulous results that can be achieved outside of the realm of "accepted" medicine (shocked, I think because we aren't brought up to believe that its possible, or that alternatives already do exist). I live and work with people who have experienced amazing healing and believe I am one of them (my 13 month old child reminds me of miracles every minute of every day!). I fully admire the work of evangelistic health educators like Dr Mercola and Phillip Day and aspire to help people on the scale that they do.

There is so much we can do to help ourselves, at so little cost. I have come to believe that there are easy solutions. I know from my own experience with Chronic Fatigue and Infertility that there is a better life, a better health.

What are you looking for? If its better health, better sleep, clearer thoughts, clearer skin, stronger bodies, in short, MORE LIFE, then get in touch. Its simple.

Be well,

Deidre.

Minerals make a huge difference

I decided to join a local Gym this week. Although I am fascinated by health and wellness in general, being physically active in a formal sense is not something I've done regularly since my mid 20's. So I decided it was about time to take notice of all the commentary about the importance of exercise and do something about it in my own life.

I have engaged in some fairly demanding activities this week, including a "step" class for the first time and I have really expected to be "sore". But to my amazement and delight, I have almost no muscle soreness. I put this down to the excellent nutritional supplements and particularly the minerals that I take. I have also found in several instances over the past couple of years that my recovery from minor injuries has been much quicker than I would have expected. Another example springs to mind when I had a particularly hard deep tissue massage. Ten years ago I would have been sore for days, but my body barely reacted.

This is great! At the end of my first week I am quite excited to think I can go to the gym and work out quite hard and not have to put up with much soreness as a result, something which used to put me off of going.

I have so many things to blog about that have come to my attention this week, but I had to share this one with you.

Be well!

Deidre

Help for everyone!

A conversation last Friday with a highly respected colleague reminded me that the information I have to share should never be placed within limits. It is available to everyone! I often say that I want to help women and working women feel better but this recent encounter made me realize that my male colleagues need just as much help - sometimes they may need it more, because women are used to "nurturing" and men often don't have time to look into their options!

So I am changing my blog profile because I don't ever want someone to feel this information isn't just as relevant for them.

A dear business friend brought this home when he said to me yesterday "if you can fog a mirror, you need this information!".

So always feel free to contact me about any information on this blog. I'll look forward to helping you as much as I can.

Please, be well!

Deidre.

Wonderful article on infertility

I've been browsing a very interesting site tonight and came across an article on fertility. This is definitely worth a read if you are having trouble conceiving! In fact it brought tears to my eyes, as it always does, to think that the solutions could potentially be so simple, in comparison to the four years I spent in the "baby factory" of conventional and unpleasant infertility treatment.

I was really interested to read his comments about Zinc in the article.

After I had our first son and then went through the detox program (I blogged about this last week when telling my story), I discovered through my naturopath that I was very deficient in Zinc. Now that I know what to look for, I can read the signs myself and "top up" my Zinc when I need to. I've been meaning to blog about Zinc for a while and I will do it, soon, I promise!

But the reason this interested me is that I believe our totally natural (and unplanned!) conception second time around, after I turned 40, was because of three things:
1. detoxing our home by switching to safe products
2. addressing nutritional deficiencies in my body
3. a prostate health product that I put my husband on after hearing about its benefits at a product seminar

Intrigued, I have just checked the ingredients of the product I put my husband on and guess what - it contains Zinc!

So enjoy reading this article on fertility and consult your naturopath about whether this might work for you. The bit that brought tears to my eyes? "Its a wonderful feeling, by the way, to help them bring a soul to earth".

Holding my babies have been the most precious moments of my life. If I can help one person experience that joy by putting them in touch with this information, then life has been worth the living. If this works for you, then I'd love to hear from you!

If you want to follow the exact steps we took, I would be very happy to show you or send you information about the products we used (which were very affordable in comparison to conventional infertility treatment!).

Be well. Deidre.