Chronic Illness Archives - The Total Wellness Doc |

Could Foods Be Making Your Feel Puffy and Congested?

Have you ever noticed that after eating certain foods your throat feels congested and you’re constantly clearing your throat?

Do you feel puffy the next morning after eating certain foods? Or do you struggle with tight stiff muscles in the morning or after sitting a long time?

Other signs of food sensitivities include icky uncomfortable and recurring skin issues. All these aches and pains could be related to foods your body is sensitive to.

Your Favorite Foods Could Be Causing Inflammation

I know you probably don’t want to hear that some of your favorite foods are causing you the dreaded INFLAMMATION, but it’s important to know for your health and future.

The good news is many times if you take the right steps you will eventually be able to eat those delicious things again.

It’s all about taking the path to healing.

Uncover Your Food Sensitivities

I recently did a Food Sensitivity Test to know more or less where I needed to make positive adjustments for my overall wellness. I learned a lot and managed to connect the dots between some discomfort I have been feeling recently and foods I have been eating.

In the video I also share a few things that can help you start exploring whether you need to reassess your food choices for total wellness.

If you want to try it out too like my friend Casey did, use this $10 discount code via the link: http://everlywell.refr.cc/marystarrc

Fasting for Health

by Mary Carter Leave a Comment

Have you heard of fasting? I am not talking about what Catholics do for 40 days of Lent but rather Fasting for Health. I first learned a great deal about fasting from leading experts in the Health and Nutrition world. I would sit in those seminars and absorb as much as I could. Initially the concepts of fasting were foreign to me but then I would experience it and see it’s benefits played out in my life and the lives of my friends, patients and clients.

I have written about my experiences with Juice Fasting Here and the Daniel Fast Here . I have done many Master Cleanse Fasts prior to having children and intend to do and write about them in the next year. Some of you who follow me on Facebook saw my FaceBook Live about the Liver Cleanse I have done 6 times you can check it out under my videos here called Do you need to Cleanse ?

Will Fasting make you Live Longer?

But the Fasting I want to highlight today could be labeled more intermittent fasting or water fasting. D Gary Young researched some of the longest living cultures in the world where he found a higher then average percentage of centenarians lived (people 100 years or older). In these populations diets were deficient of processed foods and sugars. But uniquely many of these longest living cultures had a period of fasting throughout the year. This may have varied based on limited calorie intake to no food for days or weeks for religious reasons or simply limited food supplies due to long winters.

What the Research says about Fasting?

There are many studies showing the benefits of fasting. June 2014 Medical News Today article showed fasting 1 day of water only a week long term may reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease among people at high disease risk. Interestingly I saw this benefit in an older Chiropractic Classmate who practiced this. He was stronger healthier and had more endurance then many of his decade younger classmates.

Cancer and Fasting

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles published in the journal of Cell Stem Cell, found longer periods of fasting 2-4 days may help to reboot the immune system, clearing out old immune cells and regenerating new ones. This study on mice was the first to show fasting could trigger regeneration of an organ or system through stem cell regeneration. These researchers also believe that fasting could protect against the damage caused by chemotherapy.

Now that study was on mice…… but my friend Mike the Miracle Welch took this concept and used it in his own protocols. During his days where he received Chemotherapy he would only have a liquid low calorie diet the Master Cleanse Drink and NingXia Red Juice. He received his Chemo on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6am. He would sustain himself on this liquid only diet until he got his appetite back around 9 or 10 pm at night where he would have a vegetarian salad of snow peas, avocados, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. The results were that he didn’t miss a day of work and had minimal side effects from his chemo treatments. It is possible that Michael’s fasting protocol helped him but we must also tell you that Michael was also very anal with his clean eating, supplements and many other things he researched throughout his cancer treatments. But he wasn’t the only person I would meet that utilized some sort of Fasting throughout their Cancer recovery.

A Cancer Ministry

Several years ago I met David and Megan Trombly. They have had a Cancer Ministry for more than 15 years. God put a call on their lives when David was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. Much like Mike the Miracle Welch they did extensive research when they were diagnosed. They invested hundreds of thousands into traveling the world and receiving cancer therapies. Their investment and trainings has given them a wealth of knowledge on healing the body. David has fully restored health today.

Part of their healing journey led them to learn about fasting. Each year both Megan and David do a 5-7 day Water Fast to help rejuvenate and cleanse.

I recently spent time with Megan at her home on her 5^th day of Water Fasting. We went swimming with our kids, had great conversations, and she even sat at the dinner table while her daughter Grace prepared and served a delicious dinner. She wasn’t hungry or “Hangry” at all.

In This Video she share about how she does her Water Fasting

Wellness at Home WATER FASTER PROTOCOL

Water

Gallons of clean filtered water per day. They like to add Young Living’s Vitality oils Grapefruit, Peppermint, or Lemon.

Colonics

This fast includes two 5 Gallon Home Colonics 12 hours apart per day.

See 5 Gallon Colonic Here (If you purchase one don’t forget to get replacement enema tips)

Cleansing Drink

5 Cleansing Drinks spaced out 3 hours apart.

Organic Apple Cleansing Drink Here is the Recipe:

add to a SHAKER BOTTLE

4 oz of organic apple juice,

1 TBSP Sonne’s 7 (Liquid Bentonite Clay),

1 tsp ICP (Young Living Essential oils)

SHAKE VIGOROUSLY

Take 6 capsules of Activated Charcoal with this drink every time

Drink entire drink immediately and refill shaker bottle with water to drink the residue and get more water in your system.

EXAMPLE SCHEDULE

Here is what a schedule might look like for them

7am Drink

9am Colonic

10 am Drink

1pm Drink

4pm Drink

7pm Drink

9pm Colonic

With gallons of filtered water drank throughout the day

Coming off the cleanse

the day after your last day of the cleanse you would eat steamed carrots

Day 1 Post Fast: Steamed Carrots

Day 2 Post Fast: Steamed Carrots and Steamed Broccoli

Day 3 Post Fast: Vegetables based diet without grains or meat (Might I suggest MIRACLE SOUP)

Day 4 – and on Work your way back slowly to a diet that may include healthy grains and clean meats

They strategically plan their Fasts for times when they are not overly busy or traveling. They make sure to get plenty of rest and get sunshine. Some chores like cooking are delegated to older children. But for the most part Megan was living her normal pilot’s wife, church going, homeschooling, soccer mom, wellness coaching, and business leader life.

If you would like to set up a Consult with Megan or David email them at WellnessatHomeoils@gmail.com Consult fees range from $177 -$297 depending the type of consult you would like.

What do you think?

So you may be thinking right now…. Fasting that is crazy. I totally understand because I thought that initially until I started learning and doing these kinds of cleanses. I felt better, I had more energy, and I looked better. If some of the longest living cultures in the world benefit from fasting, and scientific research shows it’s benefits why not take the next step and research it yourself. Find a qualified Health Practitioner knowledgeable in intermittent fasting, nutrition, and cleansing and work with them to reach your optimal wellness.

For your Total Wellness;

Mary Starr Carter

The Total Wellness Doc and Mom

Dr Mary is a retired Chiropractor turned Wellness Writer. She shares knowledge and experiences she has collected with her readers giving them help and hope for a healthier future. She is wife to an amazing IT genius and mother to 2 incredible children Sarah and Joshua so far. Dr Starr homeschools which she says is by far the hardest and most rewarding task she has undertaken. She has worked part time for 17 years helping others grow successful wellness home businesses. She is an aspiring healthy chef and hopes to release her new cookbook out by November 2016.

Infrared Sauna and Your Total Wellness

by Claudi 2 Comments

Infrared Sauna and Your Total Wellness
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

The body accumulates toxins just from everyday breathing, eating and living. The less movement and exercise we get the less our bodies can eliminate these toxins. Sweating is very good for us because it is nature’s way of removing toxins from the body. But think about how often do you really sweat?

Once a week, once a month….. Never ….

Sweating is a great way to get and stay healthy.

Verda Jones found Far Infrared to be very healing for her arthritis pain condition in her hands and back.
“The thing that I can tell instantly is the pain relief during and after the sauna…”

I recently visited Jones Health Essentials after seeing Verda Jones in April for the birth of my son in NY. She was slim, fit and about 10lbs lighter. I asked her “what have you been doing?” She said well everyday she was sweating outside in her garden and then 3 times a week she walked for 20 minutes on her treadmill and laid on her Far Infrared Bio Mat for 30 minutes.

The Biomat is a mat that contains Far Infrared technology along with Ion and Mineral technology to super charge it and create even more of a relaxing feeling. She says the BioMat really helps her relax when she is stressed. Well the result was 10lbs released, a lot less pain, better health and about 5 years more youthfulness in her skin and face as I observed her.

Here are some keys, how Far Infrared Heat, Mats and Saunas work:
(This information is not meant to diagnose and prescribe; it is taken from the literature received with the BioMat, and Infrared Sauna.) :

Strengthens the cardiovascular system

Deep Far Infrared penetration (up to 1.5 inches some literature says 6-8 inches)

Detoxifies heavy metals, hydrocarbon residues, alcohol, nicotine, sodium and cholesterol.

Helps purify fat cells, burns calories and controls weight.

Improves and clears cellulite.

Most effective way in burning calories. Burns up to 500 calories in one full session.

Effective for treating sprains, muscles spasms, and joint stiffness: relieves aches and pains.

Improves you immune system by sweating at a lower more comfortable temperature than a conventional hot sauna. Increases overall health and resistance to disease.

Sharpens senses and relieves stress, leaving you felling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Improves skin within a few minutes. Helps scars and burns.
Acne, psoriasis, and eczema conditions will also improve.
(I agree with this one. My skin was so soft after this treatment)

The Infrared Sauna stimulates endorphins of the brain and kills organisms like bacteria and parasites.

Increases blood flow

Destroys cancer and viral cells without harming surrounding healthy cells. (Harvard Med School)

Now this is very interesting because Nancy Weber, a good friend and colleague in Young living Essential Oils, told me just this week that in July, she was struggling with Lyme’s disease and using Essential oils to help her condition. When she started using her Young Living oils along with her Saunas she started getting quicker and more dramatic results. “The Far Infrared sauna drives the oils in much deeper” When I saw her for the first time in 2 years she looked 10 years younger. I couldn’t believe it, even after her terrible summer.

So enhance your infrared sauna with Young Living essential oils before your treatment. Don’t forget that you really need to take a shower in clean chlorinated free water after your sauna to wash off the toxins.

So far during my vacation I have only done one Sauna treatment and 2 Biomat treatments. My skin and face are clear and smooth; I got rid of a headache with the treatments and feel really refreshed. I LOVE Far Infrared Treatments.

If you struggle with Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, or an Autoimmune Condition you may want to invest in a Sauna. It may be the piece of health puzzle you are missing.

Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

You are weaker than you think you are and stronger than you think you are

by Claudi 2 Comments

You are weaker than you think you are and stronger than you think you are?

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia sufferers can spend a lot of time in bed resting. Some may even spend 16-20 hrs a day resting. The pain and fatigue can be unbearable to even get out of bed. After just 4 hours of bed rest the body begins to decrease its muscle mass and fibers. Bed Rest can contribute to the pain because lymph and toxins become stuck in the body and inflammation can increase. Bed rest for weeks at a time can contribute to muscle atrophy and weakness of the stabilizing core muscles which could lead to neck and back problems.

Obese individuals can have a condition of muscle build up, tightness and weakness where certain muscles grow strong and big from the extra weight they carry and other muscles become weak. They can end up with the same inflammatory pain conditions as a Fibromyalgia client.

What about those who sit all day long? They also can end up with a tight muscle weak muscle condition which can cause pain and problems.

First why Exercise? Well we addressed that in our Benefits of Exercise article. Here are a few more reasons from Dr. Murphree's Health Matters Newsletter

Exercise is a wonderful stress reducer and mood elevator. It helps relieve mild depression by generating endorphins, the body's natural pain killers that are associated with the "runner's high." Some researchers have said that exercise can raise levels of norepinephrine — a neurotransmitter associated with drive, ambition, energy, and happiness — by 200 percent.

Exercise also stimulates important neurotransmitters that help us combat insomnia, irritability, and fatigue, as well as food, alcohol, and tobacco cravings. Blood glucose and insulin levels are decreased, which is extremely beneficial for carbohydrate-intolerant individuals and type-2 diabetics. (Type-1 diabetics will need to adjust their insulin regimen to account for increased exercise.)

Exercise also decreases triglycerides (fats) in your blood and LDL – the bad form of cholesterol, while increasing HDL – the good form. High blood pressure is lowered, and the heart becomes stronger and more efficient, pumping more blood per beat. Exercise increases the diameter of coronary arteries, greatly reducing the risk of heart attack. Exercise can even reduce the risk of a second heart attack. Among heart attack survivors, those who choose not to exercise are over 20 times more likely to have another heart attack than those who exercise.

BUT EXERCISE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
YOU MUST STRENGTHEN ALL YOUR MUSCLES

Myself and many of my clients walk daily, ride a bike, even have strenuous jobs with physical labor, but to properly strengthen the body we must include Strength Training into our Recovery and Fitness Plan.

The number #1 reason for Strength Training Exercise is to protect your bones and muscles. But there are plenty more reasons like increasing your immune system, decreasing your risk of injury, eliminating Type II diabetes, burning more calories, and Strength Training is even found more effective than drugs in fighting arthritis pain.

Where to Begin?

If you have any illness be sure to consult with your health care practitioner. But if you have Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia you may also need to work in stages.

Recovery Stage

If you have a debilitating disabling condition I recommend the Chi Machine or a Vibrating machine for beginners. These machines help do the work for you as you lay, sit or stand on them. They burn calories, and increase the lymphatic motion which can decrease pain.

Beginner and Beyond Stage

The next level would include an exercise program developed for Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Obese, Arthritis and Pain clients called T-TAP exercise. This is an excellent short (some are 15 minutes) simple exercise program that you can do in the comfort of your home.

T-TAP exercise helped me to regain my health and strength. It got me strong enough to start to lift weights. Many individuals have regained their health with this system alone. Charlotte Siems released over 100 lbs and has kept it off for years.

You may only be able to do part or some of the exercises at first but stick with it you will get stronger. You can use a variety of T-TAP trainings for a Total Body strength and toning workout for your entire life. But some of you will need more so when you are ready move on to the next stage.

Strength Training Stage

Strength Training can be accomplished in the gym or at home.

Many gyms are equipped with good Nautilus, Cybex and Free weight type of equipment that helps you develop your strength and muscle. My personal opinion after working out at dozens of gyms is that one size fits all machines are not as effective as a program specifically tailored for you. I recommend investing in a Personal Trainer for several sessions until you understand and can do a specific routine. You may want to work with a Personal Trainer periodically throughout the year to help challenge you and get the quickest results.

MY FAVORITE

Chalene Extreme by Beach Body

Wow am I impressed with this Program. She is an excellent trainer who has very carefully paid attention to all the little details a personal trainer would. But the best part is that the cost is less than 2 sessions with a personal trainer and you can do it in the convenience of your home. You will feel the results in a week, and see the results in less than 3 weeks.

DON'T FORGET THE NUTRITION

To get strong again your body is going to need some specific carbohydrates and proteins. NingXia Red is an excellent way to fuel your body during a strength training workout followed by Powermeal a meal replacement shake. I recommend getting a liter of water with 2 oz of NingXia Red in it and drink this during your work out and finish it within 3 hours of your work out. Also make sure you have had your Protein Shake within 20-30 minutes of finishing your workout. Some people even enjoy a shake 30 minutes before and then again afterwards. Listen to your body and give it what it needs.

After a decade of only doing aerobic exercises and then living 2 months in bed and on the couch I became extremely weak, fatigued, and hurting. I did not have a foundation of strong muscle that would sustain me through that period of little movement. But THANK YOU GOD…. for that awful experience because had I not gone through that I would have never known how WEAK I REALLY WAS. Now just 3 weeks into it. I feel Stronger than EVER !

Remember if you sit most of your day you are probably weaker than you think you are. But give yourself just a few weeks of beginning Strength training and you will soon realize you are stronger than you thought you were too!

What Did You Think?

Let Us Know Your Thoughts

Post Your Comments Below

Dr. Mary Starr Carter has worked with thousands of clients from terminally ill and chronic diseases to those who are healthy and want vibrant health. She has counseled hundreds of families who had given up hope find simple safe solutions. Known as the Total Wellness Doc she looks at all aspects of health to help someone overcome disease. She specializes in difficult cases like Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes and Chronic pain.

Protected: What Nutrition do you need? The Basics for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and most Chronic Illnesses

by Claudi 3 Comments

Have you been mis-diagnosed?

by Claudi 2 Comments

Have you been mis-diagnosed?

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

For the past 5 years at least a minimum of 2 times a week I consult with new clients who I soon learn were mis-diagnosed. Being misdiagnosed can lead to frustration, pain, and worse disability.

Here are a few examples of clients who were misdiagnosed:

55 year old female with incontinence was told she needed bladder surgery. Surgery failed…. it wasn't until they realized her estrogen was so low that it was causing weakness in the bladder.

60 year old female spent 25 years on over 12 medications resulting in pain, constant respiratory issues, and a 50lb weight gain. The side effects of her medications were causing high blood pressure, weight gain, fatigue, respiratory issues, and blood sugar issues. After 1 year of recovery she is off all but 1 medication, has released 15lbs, has more energy and is way happier.

34 year old man with painful boils was misdiagnosed with skin issues and spent thousands on medications and specialists, including skin grafting surgery. After 1- $200 Wellness Coaching session the core problem leading to the skin issues was discovered.

But the most common mis-diagnosis I see in practice has to do with the Thyroid. More than 20 million Americans suffer from either an overactive or an underactive thyroid gland. As many as half the cases of thyroid disease in the United States go undiagnosed. So many times our clients have seen the doctor and the tests that the doctor orders come back with normal results. The clients have obvious symptoms of under active or overactive thyroid function but yet are mis-diagnosed as having levels in the normal range. Like Debbie who is obese not because she eats too much or doesn't exercise, she is obese because her thyroid, which regulates her metabolism, is not functioning properly.

There are many reasons why the thyroid will not function properly. On Tuesday August 23rd we will review some of those reasons. But first let's talk about how you could be misdiagnosed.

The proper tests were not ordered
The doctor is using older values of norm.
They are looking for disease you are experiencing dysfunction
The body is compensating.
You are not in failure yet.
Medication side effects
Stress
Everyone is not the same.
Foods

All of these things could potentially be hiding the problem. With the thyroid, just like many other organs, dysfunction can go undetected before disease happens. Often times if we can catch a client in the dysfunctional stage total correction is possible. If we wait until it is diseased we may only be able to reduce symptoms by 30-60%.

If you are struggling with fatigue, weight gain, inability to release weight no matter what you do, depression, anxiety, always cold, lack of motivation, insomnia, allergies, or moodiness then you may want to join us Saturday July 30th at 12 noon EST when we review the Total Wellness an approach to identify and determine thyroid dysfunction and a simple protocol to get back on track with your TOTAL WELLNESS.

What Did You Think?

Let Us Know Your Thoughts

Post Your Comments Below