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Florham Park, NJ 07932
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Holistic Practitioners Florham Park NJ

Cold & Flu – What’s the Truth and What’s a Myth?

Cold and Flu: What’s the Truth and What’s a Myth?
By Dr. Noémie Long
November 2018
With cold and flu season approaching, it’s important to touch upon a handful of questions that I get time
and time again, things like which supplements should I take? How long should I take them for? Why
shouldn’t I take certain products and why can’t I give elderberry syrup year round? How do vaccines
work?
The answers to these questions are complex and vary for each person. To address the question of which
supplements to take and when, we have to establish a basic understanding of how the immune system
works. Think of a teeter totter or a seesaw. When you sit on one end, the other end rises up into the air.
The immune system has 2 major branches to it. Something called TH1 and TH2. When we eat things or
take certain products, we increase the TH1 side of our seesaw while decreasing the TH2 side. You can’t
raise one side without lowering the other.
These two parts of the immune system play important roles. The TH1 system does things like fight
bacteria and viruses. It is also pro-inflammatory. The TH2 system helps us fight parasites and also plays a
role with allergies. This system is anti-inflammatory. You can also think of TH1 as the gas pedal and TH2
as the brake pedal.
Certain foods activate our immune system in one way or another. For example, coffee is a TH2
stimulator. Most cold and flu remedies like elderberry, Airborne, emergen-C, vitamin C, echinacea, etc.,
are all TH1 stimulators (gas pedal). You want these to fight a cold. But taking these all the time can cause
your body’s immune system to always be in fight mode. This is inflammatory, can cause functional
immune exhaustion, and worst case scenario contribute to autoimmunity long term. Short term use of
these products can be helpful, as a rule of thumb we don’t recommend using daily “immune boosters”
for more than 3 months in a row. Remember that the Core providers are always here to help, so feel
free to ask if you are unsure about a product or for suggestions.
Very briefly let’s discuss how vaccines work. When we get sick naturally (or with flu-mist/ other inhaled
nasal vaccines) the bacteria/virus goes into our nose or mouth where it signals the alarm system of the
body through what’s called an IGA response. The immune system’s fight ensues from there and
afterwards causes a memory response and protection that lasts your entire life. With vaccine injections
you bypass the IGA system and instead trigger natural killer cells to blow up whatever is in the vaccine.
Because a different immune cascade is triggered, you typically need boosters and your protection
doesn’t last forever as titer levels fall.
In my teens I made the decision to get an optional vaccine and my life has never been the same. I was
initially healthy but after that day I developed an autoimmune condition. While ASIA or Autoimmune
Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants is thought to be uncommon, it happened to me. I’m not saying anyone
should avoid the decision I made, but make sure you’re healthy enough, have a family history that
supports vaccination as a safe choice for you or your kids and ask your doctor if you’re not sure. Have
immune cell breakdowns like a CD4:8 ratios and other testing done to see if you’re a good candidate for
vaccines or to make sure you’re not allergic to the additives like egg, gelatin or silicone. The flu causes
suffering for 3 days, an autoimmune condition lasts every day of the rest of your life.

Dr Long’s Favorite Cold product: IG 26 DF

IG 26 DF is a form of “hyperimmunized egg.” There is egg in this product so do not use if you are allergic
or vegan. Immunoglobulins and antibodies in the egg help stimulate your immune system to help
protect and give passive immunity against 26 different pathogens such as Shigella,
Staphylococcus(staph), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, H. influenzae, and
Streptococcus (strep).

Core Therapies October Newsletter

Core Therapies October Newsletter

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Open House last month. It was a wonderful day filled with conversations about cutting-edge technologies and common sense health advice.

October is “Inflammation Month” in our office with workshops and demonstrations taking place all month to discuss topics related to inflammation…causes, treatment and even how to find it before a major problem presents itself. Read on to hear about the specific events being held during the coming weeks and sign up to join us!

This month, we’re also offering a very special series of Yoga classes for beginners, experienced practitioners and couples. John Levis, one of the wonderful yoga instructors at Core Therapies, will be leading these sessions which appear on our website calendar along with the complete schedule of classes and events. You can view the calendar here. For more details and to RSVP for John’s sessions, read below.

In health,
The Core Therapies Team


LET’S TALK ABOUT INFLAMMATION

Inflammation: Friend or Foe
Tuesday, October 2nd, 7-8:30PM
Presented by Dr. Noémie Long

We’ve all heard that inflammation is bad, but what is it? By the end of the hour you’ll own the answer to that question. We’ll talk about what it is and foods you can eat to help you fight off inflammation, pain and fatigue. RSVP at our Event Page here. No charge to attend.

Reducing Chronic Pain and Inflammation with Non-Invasive Whole Body PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT)
Saturday, October 13th, 2-4PM
Presented by John Allen Mollenhauer, founder of Regenus Center

What is PBMT? How does it compare to other solutions, why should you take advantage of it and what can you expect from your sessions? RSVP for this complimentary workshop by calling the Regenus Center at (862) 295-1620 or by email at support@regenuscenter.com.

Using Thermography to Identify Inflammation Before It Becomes a Problem
Tuesday, October 30th, 7-8:30PM
Presented by Holistic Health Counselor Lisa Mack

Thermography was one of the most popular demos at our recent Open House, so we’re very pleased to have Lisa Mack returning so soon to hold a workshop. Lisa, who does thermography screenings at Core Therapies on the first Tuesday of each month, will tell you all about this radiation-free screening procedure and then conduct demos on participants. RSVP at our Event page here.


SPECIAL YOGA OPPORTUNITIES WITH
JOHN LEVIS

Yoga For Those Who Can’t Touch Their Toes! An Introduction to Yoga, Beginners Workshop
Wednesday, October 10th

6-8pm
Fee: $40

There are many styles and intensity levels of yoga as its popularity has exploded in this country over the last ten years. Not all yoga practices are equal and not all styles of yoga are for everyone. Learning the basics of an alignment-based yoga practice is critical for a therapeutic foundation and optimal well-being. We will learn basic techniques of breathing and alignment that can be applied in any posture, on or off the mat. You don’t have to be flexible to do yoga, but if you practice, you can be.

Thai Yoga Bodywork Partners Workshop
Sunday, October 14th, 4-7PM
Fee: $60 each/$110 per couple
Thai Yoga Bodywork is a dynamic combination of myofascial stretching, joint mobilization, acupressure and assisted yoga postures. Learn simple techniques that you can use on your partner and have your partner use on you. A partner is not required for the workshop, we can pair you up with someone, or you will be paired with the instructor for optimal bliss!

Align Your Spine
Wednesday, October 24th, 6-8PM
Fee: $40
Learn how the benefits of a good alignment-based yoga practice can help free your back from discomfort and pain. Beginners welcome! In this workshop you will learn:

  • Specific techniques of alignment in order to bring your body into optimal alignment in any yoga posture
  • Specific postures that will support overall optimal alignment in your spine
  • Develop a simple and effective home practice to maintain optimal well being
  • Learn habits that will improve your overall posture throughout the day

To register for these yoga classes, please contact John Levis at johnrlevis@yahoo.com or (973) 216-0844.


Grocery Shopping 101: Take a Guided Nutritional Tour of Trader Joe’s with LuAnn Peters

Wednesday, October 3rd, 7-9PM
Preregistration is required; $25 investment
RSVP by calling the office at (973)240-7251

Have a hard time deciding what’s “healthy” in a supermarket? Confused when reading labels? Want to feed your family healthier food, but not sure how to do that? Join Nutritionist LuAnn Peters for an eye-opening walk through Trader Joe’s in Florham Park. Sign up now by calling the office at (973) 240-7251…space is limited!

 


“Night School”: Mind Control, Meditation and the Brain with Megan Gouldner

Thursday, October 18th, 7-10PM
Fee: $85
Register at artoflistening@me.com

Night School is a mind control technique developed from the work of Patrick Collard and his early studies with Jose Silva (the Silva Mind Control Technique). Tonight we’ll explore a brief introduction to this basic brain science and follow up with some fun and basic techniques to help you retrain, rewire and begin to love your brain all over again!

Featured Recipe: Raspberry Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

  • 3 organic pink lady apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen organic raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping Ingredients:

  1. 1/2 cup oats (pure oats are naturally gluten-free)
  2. 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  3. 1/4 cup organic brown, coconut, or date sugar
  4. 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  5. 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Mix together first four ingredients and transfer to an 8 x 8 baking dish.
  3. In small bowl, mix topping ingredients until crumbly.
  4. Sprinkle topping over the apple and raspberry mixture.
  5. Bake for about 30 minutes until apples are soft and topping is golden brown

 


Monthly Events

Family Days: Bring an immediate family member for their initial chiropractic visit and it’s on us! “Family Days” are our way of saying thank you for sharing your family with ours.

Thermography: Thermography is offered in our office on the first Tuesday of every month by appointment only. Call Lisa Mack at (609) 618-6545 to schedule and visit her website for additional information.
Welcome to the newest members of the Core Therapies Family…beautiful babies Quinn, Orly and Fiona!