Happy Thanksgiving!

This morning I caught the smell of fresh cut rosemary and the pine-tinged scent reminded me just how close we are to the holiday season. Thanksgiving is nearly here and the end-of-year holidays are just around the corner. This time of year is a wonderful time to reconnect with your family and friends, to take a moment to step back from the hectic ins and outs of daily life and to reflect on the reasons why we commit ourselves to the extent that we do. All of us can relate to the stress of work and school and the expectations that we create for ourselves to get it just right. But let’s not forget the reason why we do this all: family.

Often our hectic lifestyles end up working against us and we have less time with the people that we’re working so hard to provide for. One of the biggest places that we tend to fall short is the dinner table. Less time to cook can mean faster food options that are more about expedience and less about nutrition. This fast food lifestyle is creating an obesity epidemic in America and our children are paying the consequences, with expanding waistlines and high blood sugar.

This month we’re highlighting our generations at risk of developing diabetes. Check out the article below for detailed information on the situation, its causes and how your children can avoid the dangerous path to diabetes. In our Healthy Homes section we’ve featured an article on the links between plastic, obesity and diabetes and in our Products section we’ve included several supplements that can help to regulate blood sugar levels. I hope that these tools are helpful for you and your family. The greatest gift that we can give our children is the gift of health. It is my sincerest wish that your holidays overflow with good health!

Generations At Risk:
Childhood Obesity and The Diabetes Epidemic
By Leigh Erin Connealy, MD

What would you do if your 20-year old son were diagnosed with heart disease? If your teenage daughter was losing her eyesight? What would you do if you were told that your child had to have his foot amputated because of diabetic complications? Today’s children are becoming sick with illnesses that used to be reserved for the middle-aged and obesity is at the center of this terrifying epidemic. Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and an invisible world of toxins are all working against the health of our children. The childhood obesity problem in America has lead to a diabetes epidemic, exposing our children to health problems that were unheard of in children just a few short decades ago, and unless we intervene now, the problems will only continue to escalate. The Facts 1/3 of US children are overweight or in danger of becoming overweight, a number which has tripled over the last 4 decades. 70% of these children will become overweight or obese adults. Children’s eating habits play a key role in the obesity epidemic. Over the last 30 years, spending on fast food in the US has increased from $6 billion to $10 billion annually, with the average teen eating fast food twice a week. The FDA has designed a food pyramid for healthy eating, yet most Americans are far exceeding their fat and sugar intake while neglecting to eat enough fruits, vegetables, good fats and fibers. In a poll of high school seniors, only 3 out of 10 reported eating vegetables on a daily basis. When people consume more calories than they burn off, the calories become stored as fat. Physical activity, necessary for maintaining a healthy weight, is sorely lacking in most children today. Physical education programs have been cut from schools all over the country and recess time has been reduced or all together eliminated in some schools. Nearly 1 out of 4 children fails to get any physical activity at all, a fact that isn’t too surprising when you consider that ½ of children between 8 and 16 years of age are watching up to 5 hours a day of television. One study found that children who watch the most TV have the highest incidence of obesity. A Toxic Relationship Unfortunately, even the best efforts at weight loss or weight management are often met with resistance due to environmental factors that you would never suspect. Toxins that are present in every single living thing on the planet are harming our bodies and contributing greatly to the obesity epidemic. These toxins come from man-made chemicals and are called endocrine-disruptors because of their ability to enter the body and mimic or block vital hormonal processes. In the case of obesity, these toxins interrupt the normal thyroid function, effectively altering the body’s metabolism. When metabolism is slowed down the end result can be weight gain and difficulty losing weight. A study concluded earlier this year at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that when mice fetuses were exposed to certain chemicals it altered the way their genes functioned, making the mice more prone to obesity after birth. Frederick vom Saal, who authored the study, concluded that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals altered the metabolic system, predisposing the mice to obesity. A mouse exposed to the chemicals in utero could eat the same foods and exercise the same amount as a mouse with a normal metabolism, but would still become obese, while the mouse with the normal metabolism would not. Vom Saal believes that the same holds true for humans. Various studies support the fact that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals after birth can have a similar affect on thyroid function, blocking vital hormones that are needed to regulate the metabolic system and aid the body in burning fat. These chemicals are present in many common products in our households today. A quick scan of your kitchen could reveal a great deal of these toxins, from the plastic bottles that hold soda and water, to the plastic containers that house left-over foods. The cleaning products under your sink most likely contain several of these endocrine-disruptors. Even your foods are “toxic-carriers”. Non-organic produce is sprayed with pesticides while conventional meat and poultry are given hormones to stimulate quick growth. These substances are dangerous to humans yet exist in our food chain at just about every level. The Obesity-Diabetes Connection The Center for Disease Control predicts that at least one out of every three children born after the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Diabetes is a chronic health problem stemming from elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Glucose is a simple sugar that is derived from the foods that we eat. The body’s metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats leads directly to the production of glucose, which enters the bloodstream after a meal and is the necessary nutrient to provide energy to

every cell in the body. When too much glucose is present in the bloodstream, diabetes results. Blood sugar levels become too high when glucose isn’t able to enter the cells and is left to float throughout the bloodstream. Insulin is needed to “unlock” the cell and allow glucose to enter. In type 2 diabetes, the cell doesn’t recognize the insulin and fails to allow the glucose in. When glucose levels become too high, it presents a toxic danger to every organ in the body. While obesity is the primary risk factor in children, other factors are contributing to this epidemic. Studies have found that the same toxins that are contributing to the obesity epidemic are also contributing to the diabetes epidemic. It has been shown that repeated exposure to toxic chemicals, such as those found in plastics (including pthalates, PCBs and parabens) can cause insulin resistance and eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. Diabetic complications result in 500,000 deaths and 12,000 new cases of blindness each year. Diabetics are also at increased risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral neuropathy in which the body’s nerves are damaged. The length of time that one has diabetes is the biggest risk factor for developing diabetes-related complications. For this reason, such complication could occur in early adulthood for children with type 2 diabetes. Most children do not display symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes and often a diagnosis is made when the child sees a physician for an unrelated problem. If your child is overweight or has poor eating habits, it is a good idea to have their blood sugar levels tested. If a pre-diabetic state is diagnosed, steps can be taken to avoid reaching a diabetic state. If diabetes is diagnosed, a treatment plan can be put in place to manage the child’s blood sugar levels and attempt to stave off dangerous complications. My Healthy Recommendations Whether your child has been diagnosed with diabetes, insulin resistance or is simply overweight it is important to implement a game plan for health. Exercise needs to be a major part of every child’s life. A minimum of 30 minutes each and every day needs to be spent exercising- this can mean playing a game of soccer or running around at the park. Anything that gets your child moving while elevating their heart rate is good for their health. At the same time, it is vital teach them healthy eating habits. Introduce a rainbow of colors into your child’s regular meals. Eating organic fruits and vegetables in a variety of shades will ensure that your child is getting the nutrients he needs without giving him the toxins he doesn’t need. Organic foods are not only chemical free but they generally have a higher nutritional value and taste better than conventionally grown produce. Likewise, replace your conventional meats and poultry with all-natural, grass-fed animal products. These foods contain no harmful chemicals or hormones and also taste wonderful! It is also important to detoxify the harmful chemicals that are residing in your child’s body. Since everyone in the world is carrying these chemicals around inside of them, get the whole family on a detoxification plan! Infrared sauna and liver cleanses are excellent and safe ways to rid the body of these dangerous toxins while boosting your overall health. (For more safe detoxification ideas, visit my website at www.perfectlyhealthy.net.) I also recommend the following supplements to provide extra support in controlling your child’s weight and blood sugar levels: For Detoxification: Detox Kit drops by Heel – these drops are designed to relieve symptoms of illness caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or exposure to environmental toxins (pollution, pesticides, and allergens) Blood Sugar regulating supplements include Cinnamon, Chromium, Lipoic Acid, L- Carnitine, Niacin, Fish Oil. In addition to these, I recommend a product called Insinase by Metagenics, which features selective kinase response modulators have been clinically shown to improve fasting insulin and lipid parameters. Other supplements I recommend by perfectlyhealthy can also help: pH Plus™ enhances the effects of proper diet and exercise while maintaining the proper pH balance necessary to sustain good health. The ingredients in pH Plus™ enhance energy levels, assist in weight loss, regulate sugar metabolism and optimize cell function. Mega Greens plus MSM™ contain alkaline forming vegetable ingredients to help balance pH levels while providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and plant proteins necessary for cell support. The vegetables used in this special blend contain 30 times more vitamin B-1 than milk, seven times more vitamin C than oranges and 5 times more iron than spinach. Metabolic Rx™ contains vitamins, chromium, herbs, digestive enzymes and antioxidants that support pancreas function and help to regulate blood sugar levels. It is our job as loving parents to protect our children from the diabetes and obesity epidemics. If you suspect that your child is at risk for diabetes, have them tested immediately. Even if your child is not insulin resistant, make changes at home to ensure that diabetes doesn’t become a reality. Encouraging good habits today means a healthy and vibrant tomorrow!

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Featured Product

Diaxinol by Ortho Molecular* 60 capsules, $45.00 Contains chromium and lipoic acid which support blood sugar regulation	Glycemic Foundation by Orthomolecular* 977 grams, $61.75 Contains chromium, lipoic acid, flax seed, insoluble fiber and pre-biotics which support blood sugar regulation
CinnDromeX by Xymogen* 120 capsules, $36.58 Contains chromium, ginseng, alpha lipoic acid, green tea extract, gymnema leaf and cinnamon which support blood sugar regulation	Insinase by Metagenics* 90 tablets, $59.95 Designed to modulate kinase signaling (within cells) in favor of healthy insulin function and blood sugar transport

For more information about these products, or to place an order, please contact our Healthy Product Advisers at (949) 680-1913 or send an email to orders@cfnmedicine.com.

*Please see below for full disclaimer

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Are You Plastic Positive? The Links Between Plastic, Obesity & Diabetes
by Leigh Erin Connealy

An excerpt from the article:

A recent report by Dr. Angel Nadal linked the widespread use of plastic in beverage and food containers to the obesity and diabetes epidemics occurring within the United States. In a study conducted by Dr. Alonso-Magdalena et al., chronic exposure to BPA at very low levels induced insulin resistance in mice. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and needed to escort glucose into the cells. If the cells become resistant to insulin, glucose isn’t able to enter and begins to flood the bloodstream, eventually resulting in diabetes.

Dr. Alonso-Magdalena said of the study findings, “What is striking is the low level at which BPA caused changes in glucose and insulin metabolism in these experiments.” The doses in the study were 5 times lower than the EPA safety standard and below the level reported in infant cord blood at birth.” (NaturalNews) Compact fluorescent light bulbs can release dangerous amounts of mercury into the air when they break and must be disposed of very carefully, according to a report by the state of Maine.

Click here to read the entire article and for easy tips on removing plastic from your home.

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Mark Your Calendars

(Click on event titles to learn more)

January 13, 2009
Weight Loss Class #1 (of 6)
The medical staff of the Center For New Medicine and our renowned fitness expert and certified nutritionist, Liliana, have created this science-based, multi-faceted program to give you the tools you need to transform resistance into understanding.

January 13, 2009
Prevent Diabetes Class #1 (of 2)
Did you know that 500,000 people die each year from diabetes complications, but half of the people who have diabetes are unaware that they have it??? Take steps now to avoid this serious medical condition by attending our 2-part Diabetes Prevention Class, given by our certified staff nutritionist, Liliana Partida.

January 15, 2009
How to Stay Healthy the Rest of Your Life! -
A lecture by Leigh Erin Connealy, MD and Liliana Partida, CN hosted by Whole Foods
Build your immunity against disease. Learn the importance of detoxification and why nutrition and supplementation are key.

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"To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals."

-Benjamin Franklin

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*The above information and product descriptions are for information purposes only, and are not intended to provide medical advice to individuals. Consult with your physician if you have any health concerns, and before initiating any new diet, exercise, supplement, or other lifestyle changes.

Prices on products and/or services are subject to change at any time and without notice. Please contact our Product Desk to verify product pricing.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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