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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Watching Dr Oz 11/15/12: Dr. Weil's 5 Essentials, Ask Dr. Weil, Fatigue Fighters. Healthy Exchange

The Dr. Oz Show
Airdate: November 15, 2012
Dr. Oz: Dr. Andrew Weil's 5 Essentials You Need Now

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  • Dr. Andrew Weil shares his five new health essentials
  • Bonus tips from Dr. Weil
  • Dr. Oz fans ask Dr. Weil to provide recommendations for their health concerns
  • Dr. Weil's doctor shares her best fatigue fighters
  • Dr. Oz kicks off a viewers health exchange

Dr. Andrew Weil has five new essentials that can support slow aging, weight loss, and more. Dr. Weil's own doctor shares her best recommendations to fight fatigue.

Photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Dr. Oz: Dr. Andrew Weil's 5 Essentials You Need Now

Dr. Andrew Weil, integrative medicine doctor, invited Dr. Oz into his home to share the products and lifestyle tools that support all aspects of health.

In his refrigerator, Dr. Weil said he likes to keep spices and kelp noodles which are free of carbohydrates but pick up the flavor of the spices and other foods used in cooking.

In his bedroom, Dr. Weil said he sleeps in total darkness and usually sleeps pretty well. When he has trouble sleeping, Dr. Weil keeps a bottle of Nature's Way Valerian in his bedside table and will use that to help him fall asleep.


In the bathroom, Dr. Weil said he loves to take baths to relax. He uses DMSO, a solvent, when his joints are sore. Eucalyptus oil is used in his soaking tub to support the muscles as well as the respiratory system.

Every day Dr. Weil takes time to meditate. He likes to mediate in the morning as soon as he wakes up to put him in a good frame of mind during the day.


People tend underestimate the body's own natural healing power and they tend to discount healthy lifestyle choices, said Dr. Weil. Health care costs are so high, in part said Dr. Weil, because people expect a miracle in a pill instead of putting in the work to support the body before there is an imbalance.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Essential #1: Iodine

As many as one in three women are deficient in iodine, that millions of women across the country and throughout the world. Iodine as a mineral that is vital to the functioning of the brain, heart, and even the stomach, it's essential for optimal health.

Iodine cannot be found in our standard American diet in viable amounts. Processed and packaged foods certainly don't have it and table salt, seasonings, and spices do not often contain iodine, unless it's specifically listed on the label.

Iodine controls the metabolism as well as regulates blood cell creation and muscle function. People who are low on iodine may experience an increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain, mental problems, low libido, enlarged thyroid, skin problems, brittle nails, and even puffy eyes.

Dr. Oz brought a tissue sample of a healthy thyroid gland. It looks like a butterfly and sits on top of the trachea. Next to the healthy gland, Dr. Oz showed a thyroid gland that was deficient in iodine, it was five times as large as the normal gland.

An important self-test to determine if the thyroid is deficient is to do a visual check of the neck. Have someone look at your neck or look in the mirror. If the neck looks enlarged that could be a sign that the thyroid gland is enlarged.

Another self-test can be done by placing the fingers on either side of the neck just under the Adam's apple while swallowing. You should not be able to feel the thyroid gland. If you do feel the gland, it's time to all the doctor to have a thorough check of the gland as well as over all health.

The body needs only trace amounts of iodine for optimal functioning. The National Institutes of Health recommends 150mcg of iodine daily and that amount can come from food.

Dr. Oz: Sources of Iodine
Dairy products, seafood, shell fish, and seaweed are all great sources of iodine. If you don't like those foods or can't have them, capsules of kelp are a great alternative or used dried kelp to make broth like the Japanese.

Solaray Kelp 640mg 100 Caps - $5.96
from: Best Price Nutrition

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Essential #2: Pistachios and DGL

Dr. Weil says that digestion is the most common problem he hears from people. Typically digestive issues are related to stress as well as poor diet choices. Dr. Weil likes a combination of pistachios and DGL which are both prebiotics to provide the proper nutrition to feed the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

One serving of pistachios is 47 nuts and that one serving has fewer calories than any other nut with only 158 calories and 85% of the fat calories is from healthy unsaturated fat.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, is an extract of licorice that has the portion removed that can effect blood pressure levels. DGL protects stomach tissues from stomach acid by encouraging the stomach tissue to produce more beneficial mucus to protect the lining. DGL can also reduce the acid levels in the stomach.

Find DGL as either chewable tablets or in powder form. For chewables, Dr. Weil recommends taking DGL four times daily, 15 minutes before each meal and 15 minutes before bed. For the powder form, Dr. Weil recommends taking ½ a teaspoon.

Julie, a Dr. Oz fan, suffered from severe heartburn, bloating, and constipation and had yet to find any support from over-the-counter remedies or pharmaceuticals. Julie tried DGL over the weekend and said she was surprised by how fast and how well it worked on all of her complaints.



Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Essential #3: Palm Reflexology

Stress is eating us alive and it's ironic is that stress is so easy to relieve, says Dr. Weil. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is toxic to brain cells, it can literally kill brain cells.

Palm reflexology is easy and it's safe. Palm reflexology is the simple act of massage certain areas of the hand to stimulate nerve fibers and support a specific health concern. Palm reflexology is an acupressure technique working on the energy areas of the body that begin and end in the hand.

Find the soft area on the palm between the thumb and forefinger and gently massage. From there, do a gentle massage with gentle pulling on each of the fingers. Massage both hands to destress.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Essential #4: The Rules of Raw

Raw food diets are trendy but are they safe? Some raw foods are on Dr. Weil's list of essentials but not all foods. Some chemical compounds in foods are more bioavailable when cooked, explained Dr. Weil.

Watercress and leafy greens eaten raw provide important nutrients however heat can begin destroy those nutrients. Nutrients in carrots and tomatoes, specifically lycopene, can be increased when they are cooked.

Garlic is one of the most potent foods when it's eaten raw. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and it's supportive of circulation as well as the heart and the immune system.

Allicin, the active component in the garlic, isn't present until it's crushed and has been sitting for at least 10 minutes. The more of the crushed surface area that is exposed to air increases the amount of allicin available. Cooking garlic destroys the allicin.

An easy way to eat raw garlic is in salad dressing, on toast with cheese, added to tomato sauce at the end of cooking before serving.

Concerned about smelling like garlic? Dr. Weil said if you eat garlic regularly then the smell won't be a problem or you could chew parsley after eating the garlic.

Asparagus is a great source of folic acid but the folic acid is destroyed when cooking so it's best to eat it raw. Dip asparagus in some garlic salad dressing or hummus.


Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Essential #5: CoQ10

Dr. Weil says everyone should be taking CoQ10. It's the one thing that everyone should be taking. CoQ10 is important to protect the heart and the brain yet it's often taken for granted. It's so important to Dr. Weil that he even sells his own brand of CoQ10.

Made by and used by every muscle cell in the body, the heart and the brain require the greatest amounts of CoQ10. CoQ10 protects the cells from oxidative stress and supports the metabolism. CoQ10 increases the availability of oxygen to the cells and plays a role in aerobic performance.

Aging causes less creation of CoQ10 and statin drugs suppresses the body's natural creation. Dr. Weil recommends taking 120mg of CoQ10 daily in divided doses with a meal that contains fat. Look for a product in a softgel form for superior absorption.

Can you get CoQ10 from food? It would take four pounds of sardines or eight pounds of beef or 10 pounds of peanuts to get 120mg of CoQ10. Dr. Weil likes to take his CoQ10 supplement twice daily, 60mg at breakfast and 60mg at dinner.


Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tips

Dr. Weil sprinkled bonus tips throughout this episode. I've combined them all here in one section for easier reading.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tip: Asian Mushrooms
Prominent in Chinese medicine, Asian mushrooms are highly regarded as a stress adaptogen and energy booster. Try oyster, maitake, shitake.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tip: Probiotics
To restore the friendly bacteria in the digestive tract, Dr. Weil recommends probiotics. Look for a product that contains Lactobacillus GG or Bifidobacterium.


Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tip: 4-7-8 Breathing
Dr. Weil likes to use a timed breathing technique to reduce stress levels. Inhale through nose count of four, hold for a count of seven, then breath out with a whoosh sound for a count of eight.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tip: Power of Flowers
Fresh flowers in the home can enhance the mood.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Bonus Tip: Spill Your Oil
Purge the kitchen of toxic oils by checking your oils regularly. If the oil smells off then throw them out and get a fresh batch.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil Bonus Tip: Siberian Ginseng
Astronauts and military have used Siberian ginseng and Dr. Weil likes it too. Dosage amounts vary widely by product so check labels. [Dr. Weil did not provide any dosage recommendations. Siberian ginseng is no longer called Siberian ginseng, by order of the government. It is now called Siberian Eleuthero.]



Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil

Throughout this episode, Dr. Oz fans posed their health questions to Dr. Weil seeking recommendations on how to support their concerns. He provided quick answers their their short questions.

Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil: What can I do to fall asleep easier?
For sleep trouble, Dr. Weil recommends chanting a mantra, a repeated phrase that brings calm and holds meaning.

Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil: How can I support my memory?
To support memory and brain function, Dr. Weil recommends Alpha Lipoic Acid at 100mg daily to start then working up from there.


Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil: How can I get whiter teeth?
For whiter teeth, Dr. Weil recommends a natural approach by eating strawberries and oranges which will also protect the enamel.

Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil: What can I do for mood support?
Dr. Weil said SAM-E is great for mood support, even better than St. John's Wort. He recommended taking 400-1600mg daily on an empty stomach.


Dr. Oz: Ask Dr. Weil: How can I support healthy cholesterol levels?
For healthy cholesterol levels, Dr. Weil recommended red yeast rice taken with CoQ10.


Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil's Natural Fatigue Fighters

Who does Dr. Weil turn to when he's out of balance? Dr. Weil and his family relys on Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, who combines her medical degree and her Native American heritage to heal the mind, body, and spirit. Nature holds the answers to health, said Dr. Low Dog.

Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil Fatigue Fighter #1: Golden Root or Rhodiola
Golden root, better known by it's common name of rhodiola, boosts energy, supports mental concentration and physical endurance. Dr. Low Dog recommends to begin with 100mg in the morning daily for first two weeks then increase by 100 to 200mg up to 400mg. She explains that rhodiola is great for people who are experiencing low energy, sleep issues, depression, or general feelings of blah.


Dr. Oz: Dr. Weil Fatigue Fighter #2: Prickly Pear
Prickly pear has long been used to support energy production and is particularly important, says Dr. Low Dog, for diabetics. The pads and fruit of the prickly pear cactus can be cut up in slices and sauteed in olive oil and the juice of the fruit can be drank. In 13 different scientific studies, explained Dr. Low Dog, prickly pear has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity. It is also rich in magnesium, Vitamin C, and carotenoids. [Prickly pear is more commonly available in supplement form though some stores may carry the juice.]


Dr. Weil says Dr. Low Dog is the the foremost botanical expert in the country and she has taught him a great deal. When making peppermint tea, Dr. Low Dog taught him to put a cover over the cup while the tea steeps to keep the volatile oils in the drink. For a mint infused water, place peppermint tea bags in cold water and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy it chilled during the summer.

[Click the links to read more from Dr. Andrew Weil's previous appearances on The Dr. Oz Show:


Dr. Oz's Health Exchange

Dr. Oz asked fans to bring in something, a tool, that supported their health and that they are ready to pass along to someone else in trade for a new tool.

One fan brought a single-serve scale that helped her to learn what food portions she should be serving. The scale was traded for exercise bands.

Another fan brought a jump rope which she used as for cardio exercise while traveling. Kettle balls helped another fan develop core muscle strength. A pedometer was a great tool for another fan to recognize how much exercise was needed to get to 10,000 steps. These ladies passed along the tools that were successful for them for new tools that they could utilize to continue to improve their health.

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