The active ingredient in the painkillers Tylenol, Anacin and Panadol was the focus of a recent analysis of 19 studies of 425,000 children and adults treated with acetaminophen in the past year. Children given acetaminophen were 60 percent more likely to suffer from asthma, while adults who had taken the drug were 75 percent more likely to experience asthma. According to a University of British Columbia-Vancouver review published in the journal Chest, higher doses translated to greater risk of asthma.
 
The March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine contained an analysis of data from 26,000 men, participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.  Researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Vanderbilt University, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, determined that men younger than 60 who used acetaminophen were 61 percent more likely to experience hearing loss.  Studies appearing in the journal Drug Safety (2008 Vol 31:pp127-141) show acetaminophen adversely effects vision events.
 
The U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group found that acetaminophen poisoning is the leading cause of liver failurein the nation, associated with nearly 50 percent of all liver failure.  The Life Extension Foundation has also sounded the alarm about acetaminophen and liver damage.
 
With 70-75 million prescriptions written annually, acetaminophen is the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the United States.  It is blamed for 56,000 injuries, 25,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been aware of this situation for decades.  As early as 1977, the agency warned about acetaminophen and liver damage.  The FDA Advisory Review Panel noted that exceeding the recommended dosage or (please note the or) taking acetaminophen for more than 10 days puts the patient at risk of liver damage. A suggestion that pharmacists distribute information explaining the risks of this drug has fallen on deaf ears at the FDA.

A study published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research cautioned that adverse reactions to acetaminophen not only affect patients’ quality of life, they also impose substantial economic burdens on society. Given all that we know now, how can the FDA remain silent about acetaminophen?

Back to the Basics carries many herbal and other alternatives to NSAIDS like acetaminophen.  Zyflamend is an herbal supplement by New Chapter that can help with inflammation and pain.  Throb Eaz, an herbal supplement by Dr. Michael James, is another good pain alternative to NSAIDS.  Turmeric is a spice that is good for bringing down inflammation.  Come into the store and let us show you some of the alternatives we have available.

HAVE A WONDERFUL MONTH!
Dr. Donna Chambers and the Back to the Basics Staff

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“Health is wealth”—though this is an age-old saying, it holds good even today. Undeniably, health is one of the most indispensable assets in life! You might possess all other forms of wealth, but to enjoy them you need to be healthy and lead a disease-free life. The best medicine is no medicine. You can prevent many diseases by performing a body cleanse.

There are many types of body cleanses used to detoxify the body from the toxins present in it:
*  Colon cleanse
*  Ionic foot bath (foot detox)
*  Candida cleanse
*  Parasite cleanse
*  Liver gallbladder cleanse
*  Herbal cleanse and many more

Cleansing is not expensive and there are several methods available to you. The first is called Herbal Cleansing. You can cleanse your body by taking the right herbal supplements along with the proper diet. There are herbal products available in our store. The other advantage of this method is that it does not have any side effects and hence is safe. You need to be careful as to which company's products you use. Our staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, all you have to do is ask.

The Back to the Basics Clinic also has many methods of cleansing available to you:

Colon Cleansing: The colon is the sewer system of the body and if this gets choked then you will have problems. (Just imagine the problems that occur if the sewers of the town become choked.) The choking of the colon can lead to constipation and production of poisonous gasses which in turn is harmful for the body. The cleaning of this part of the body is really easy. It is called colon hydrotherapy or a colonic. We have state of the art equipment. This procedure is very private and safe. We are FDA cleared. You can come by any time to see our
facility and ask questions.

Foot Detox: This is the most relaxing way to get rid of the toxins present in the body. You just have to sit on the chair, with your feet dipped into the water container. A flow of warm water will flow under your feet and the positive and negative ions in the water will attach themselves to the toxins present in the body. Toxins that are usually insoluble will also dissolve in this water.

Lymphatic Drainage is a natural way to get back to your state of well being.  When the lymphatic river gets blocked by stagnation, or logjams, we call it congestion. If the state of congestion is long lasting, blockages can form and cause a backup in the flow. This can affect nearly every system: respiratory, elimination,  endocrine, nervous, and immune. Fibrotic conditions, fatigue syndromes, chronic pain, sinus trouble, lumps, such as fibrocystic breast lumps, and unresolved injuries can all be caused or aggravated by blocked lymph. Other consequences of congestion are diminished appearance and premature aging, such as skin breakouts, facial edema, dark circles, dry, wrinkled or sallow skin, spider veins and cellulite. Back to the Basics uses the Lymphstar Pro lymphatic drainage system which improves lymphatic fluid flow and accelerates detoxification of tissues.

Call the clinic, 505-504-3861, to make an appointment, or come by the store and ask our knowledgeable staff for more information.

For more information on dietary cleanses for the liver, gallbladder, and kidney, click here.

All of us at Back to the Basics wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
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Don’t be a victim of the holiday blues and over indulging.

What is it about the holiday season that puts people under so much stress? If you answered “lack of money,” then you rank with the 61 percent of Americans who cite this as the number-one reason for holiday stress, according to a poll by the American Psychological Association. Following the lack of money were the pressures of gift giving, not enough time and credit card debt.  Holiday stress has become a growing concern as one out of every five Americans are worried that the excess stress could potentially affect their physical health. Common coping methods that over one-third of Americans turned to were eating and drinking to soothe their stresses. On a positive note, the poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans use  exercise as a stress-coping tool, while 44 percent utilize religious and spiritual practices. Additionally, a small percentage took advantage of massage and yoga. Experts stressed that most people turn to what they are most familiar with when faced with stressful situations and as such a common familiar coping strategy involved eating or drinking alcohol. Even though these activities aren't good for their health, people take solace in them because they provide them with a sense of comfort.

Many people find themselves faced with enormous amounts of stress over the holiday season. Whether it's a never-ending list of things to do or a lack of time or money, most end up resorting to unhealthy ways to soothe overwhelming feelings of stress.  So if you're experiencing intense feelings of stress this holiday season keep in mind that you are not alone. The most important thing you can do for yourself is find healthy ways of coping with these stresses before turning to negative, not to mention short-term, sources of comfort such as eating unhealthy foods and drinking alcohol.

People might find they have an increasingly difficult time controlling their stress levels particularly over the winter holidays.  This  is because seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, is especially prominent during this time of year when many people suffer a deficit of sunlight as well as fresh air. I recommend going outside and taking a morning  walk for 15 to 30 minutes. It must be the early morning sun. You will find your  moods will lighten. In addition to these stress-reducing strategies, another  effective tool I use in my practice to help my patients get a better handle on  stress and keep things in perspective is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).  (Go to Dr. Mercola's EFT site for a wonderful video shoing you how to use this technique.)

With the Christmas and Hanukkah season soon approaching, this is the time of year when sticking to a healthy diet can be most challenging. The change of season alone can cause some people to overeat. It is important to not overeat. This is not the time to start restricting your calories to the point where you’re so hungry even your great aunt’s fruitcake starts to look good. The trick is to eat small meals or snacks frequently throughout the day. This way, you won’t ever really feel hungry, and you’ll be able to resist all those grains and high-sugar foods that will sabotage your healthy diet.

Fill up on all the nutritious foods, like healthy meat, raw milk cheese, vegetables, or some berries that you want and you  won’t feel that you’re missing out. Some basic changes can make your holiday  meals much more nutritious. Instead of potatoes and bread, have a variety of  healthy vegetable side dishes. If you must have potatoes, use sweet potatoes or  even mashed cauliflower.  And, make sure that you choose healthy meat that is not  filled with antibiotics and hormones.

Focus on the real meaning of the holidays and you’ll quickly see that family and friends are at the center. Take advantage  of this time with your loved ones, and look forward to talking and being with  those who you care about, rather than focusing on food.

Your perceptions will have a great impact.  If you think that you should eat a lot just because it is Christmas, or a new  year’s party, then you probably will. However, if you look at it as though it is  just another meal, then it will be easier to keep your eating habits under control.

Merry  Christmas from Dr. Donna and Back to the Basics!
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