Healing protocol: Natures help for trauma and injury

      So, as stated in my previous post I am on a mission (a man on a mission…a Muppet man…anybody?) 

......to recover and return to greatness following a holistic pathway.  Did I just call myself great? I did….going on. My main recovery faces two main challenges:  Anesthesia which was administered to place my body in a medically induced coma for a few hours and can stay in the body for up to three weeks and makes you really F…ing tired…even after a double espresso. And number two is the 12” incision, which runs vertically from my belly button to sternum. Separating the facial tissue in the abdomen and limiting any core strength.  While quite painful, I have decided to forego the doctor recommended Vicatin dose of 200mg every 4/6 hours, as it dulls the senses and slows healing. Yes, the pain is there and constant, however I’d rather feel connected with my body and be able to sense changes as they come about…and…I’m clearly a badass (Rhhhhaaaahhhhh!!!!!)  Truth be told I am in a good deal of pain, but it’s not acute (i.e. no stabbing/ shooting…just dull)! A note about inflammation…….Remember that inflammation is not always a bad thing. In fact, inflammation is your body's way of bringing blood and nutrients to the area that needs healing. Conventional doctors tend to take the view that all inflammation is bad, but that's an outmoded, limited view of the body's adaptive response to trauma.

      Anytime the body goes through trauma there are a few things, which can help you recover faster. Sleep, Good food, and the mind are my top three. So…we all know I eat well and I’ve never had to work hard for a good nights sleep so I thought I would discuss a list of supplements which I will be using over the next six weeks to move things along.  At the end of the day I really feel food is the best medicine.  And, while a few of my supplements are in this category, these unorthodox conditions require me to look outside the box. Here we go…

      Vitamin C is a cheap simple no-brainer.  Any kind of trauma, including surgery, can deplete your vitamin C stores. After surgery, blood levels of vitamin C drop rapidly and a vitamin C deficiency makes wounds heal slower. Many studies have shown that vitamin C is essential for the body to produce wound-healing collagen, which provides the basic structure for many tissues, including skin, bone and blood vessels. Of course the source matters and I will be pulling a majority of my C from the royal Camu…(cough) a real food. J Also known as Royal Camu or CAMU-CAMU… this berry has more Vitamin C than any other known botanical. The highest quality camu-camu contains 30 to 60 times more Vitamin C than an orange, plus bioflavanoids, and a combination of phytonutrients unique to the camu-camu fruit.  It also contains the amino acids, serine, valine, and leucine, as well as small amounts of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. I will be shooting for around 3 to 5 grams a day and plan to build up slowly, as took much vitamin C can cause bowl issues…(liquid pooping). For more on Camu-Camu…google it. J amazon usually has it for a decent prince. Just kidding…here is a link: http://www.wholeworldbotanicals.com/info_royalcamu

Sun Chlorella:  (Also a food) Japanese studies have found Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) to be especially effective in speeding up cell growth, a major factor in the natural repair of wounds.  A natural algae, this product is the oceans answer to wheat grass…. (packed full of Chlorophyll).  Various other studies reveal CGF helps heal ulcers and promote bone and muscle growth. When taken internally, it also acts as an immune-booster. Topically, it functions as a protective cleansing compound for skin.  I also think this will be helpful in cleaning out any remaining painkillers or system depressants used during surgery.  This Powerful algae is know for it’s cleansing properties and ability to pull toxins out of the bodies fat where they can lay hidden in for years.

       I have taken this product on and off for a long time …I was happy to see it placed in IRON MAN 2. Anybody remember Tony Stark constantly drinking the green liquid to stop the poisoning of his body from heavy metals leeching from the ARC reactor???….not so off the mark. Studies at the School of Medicine, West Virginia University, demonstrated that chlorella has the potential to help remove poisoning of chlorinated hydrocarbons (a major toxic pollutant found in pesticides and herbicides), dioxin, and PCB’s.  In other studies, chlorella was equally effective in eliminating heavy metals such as mercury, and cadmium.

• Zinc: Best taken prior to surgery, zinc reduces wound healing time, rapidly reduces wound size, and bolsters immune function to help ward off infection.  Clinical studies have cut healing times in half with 220 to 300 mg of Zinc a day. Just be sure to beef up on your other trace minerals as it can inhibit copper and magnesium stores.

-Whey Chocolate Isolate or Sun Warrior Protein: Surgery places great metabolic stress on the body. A post-surgical patient requires more protein than a normal person because of the increased metabolic activity of wound healing and stress induced acute phase protein production. In addition, extra protein is required to repair injured muscle tissue and replace the skeletal muscle tissue that is being catabolised for strengthening the immune system and supporting vital organ function. Post-surgical patients tend to exhibit accelerated protein turnover and synthesis, but the increased rates seem to be inadequate to support required amino acid levels. Both these proteins have a full amino acid profile and digest quite well in my body. Also mixed with an array of green veggies and fruit and you can get almost 40 meals out of one bag for a fraction of the price of eating out. A true concern when you’re not able to work.

BCAA with Glutamine: This combo is a two-fold punch. Again when the body is in a state of stress or repair it needs help. When your body goes through a surgical procedure it’s not so different from having a really INTENSE MUSCLE TEARING WORKOUT…TIMES 100. Your body is in a constant state of repair over the next month or more, so it stands to reason your bodily system will be looking for building blocks to help fix the damage. Enter BCAA and glutamine. From numerous studies it is clear that BCAA's have a significant role in increasing overall conditioning factors such as aerobic and anaerobic capacities, by improving physiological markers such as: red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, fasting glucose levels, a decrease in creatine phophokinase, increased glycogenesis, and even rapid alleviation of muscle inflammation.

I opted for the glutamine combo because it is the major nutrient used to repair intestional damage…and since mine was cut up like a holiday snowflake, 














I figured that was good idea.  It is also not uncommon for hospitals to throw some in your I.V. post surgery…..at least they are getting that right.* p.s. this is also a pre-digested food……

Custom Probiotics: There is only one brand I role with when it comes to intestinal health. The best by bacterial count and price =www.customprobiotics.com. Whenever you have surgery this is probably the highest rated supplement to consider taking after opening up the insides.  I am a health nut…and if there were one product I would not do without it’s this one. Their CP-1 formula weighs in at a whopping 70 billion per bacteria strain per pill!!!!!! Try and find anything close to that in a store or for their price!  (Can. not do. It. J) A 2009 review of clinical studies published in "Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery" found that the use of probiotics significantly reduced cases of bacterial infection in patients who had undergone high-risk surgical procedures. This news is particularly significant in light of the difficulty hospitals face in dealing with dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In 2009, the "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" concluded that the postoperative use of probiotics might decrease post-surgical death rates, shorten hospital stays and reduce the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

So there you have it.  Today I feel ok. I've graduated to tape instead of staples..:-) It’s been a hell of a week for my ego…. negotiating how you get up off the couch or navigate down a subway platform as opposed to attending a tap audition for a Broadway show or teaching someone how to swing a kettle bell.  But such is my present situation and such is life. I am committed to be present and enjoying this unique place where I am.  We are only here for this moment.  Embrace it. 

A weekend in the E.R.......

“Here I go again on my own, going down the only road I’ve ever know…..Here I go again” in my current situation, this song rocks a great background track for my hospital video.   It’s just not finished yet…..so I’m writing…..(wha wha) So here we go….long story really, really short….but still kinda long….

       Wednesday was a busy morning: rehearsal for a symphony concert, a client at mid city, my own training day…….intestinal obstruction?  (Keep reading). Apparently 15 minutes after an amazing lunch, I would soon be feeling like someone placed a screw driver into my upper abdomen and twisted it….driving a steel rod into the back plate of my shoulder. Instantly I could not stand, I could not walk upright and I was shallow breathing. Scared as I was at this moment, I stumbled my way home on the A train and crawled into bed. Buckled over in pain I waited and waited for this scenario to cease and the tension to ease. It did not. The tension was never eased. Sadly.

       In the morning I knew the E.R. was a strong possibility, and with the help of my roommate Katrina, I was dropped off there and walked quite well at the time right in the front doors. Triage took me to the inner-workings of the hospital to find no rooms available…just a bed in a hallway.  Three hours later, I saw a doctor. Clutching my stomach I assured him what was wrong: “I had a Reto-Paritenial Lymph Node Dissection to treat advanced testicular cancer 5 years ago. I know my intestine has scar tissue, it’s twisted …..I need an I.V. to re-hydrate and I will be fine. This HAS happened before.  In 8 hours….and you can send me home.”  Well, I was half right. The doctor agreed with my diagnosis and I was plugged with an I.V. containing saline drip, given some Zofran for nausea and Toradol  for pain. I started to feel better instantly……I was walking, calling friends, I told a joke, I flirted with a cute E.R nurse…. I was on the road to recovery!  I even had some great friends visit…Leo Ash Evens and Leah Landow.  Both saints, they agreed to see me through till I got a room. (This is where it got hairy…..I mean Italian uncle wolfman back hair hairy!)

       Once I was done with my I.V. fluids I began to get sick….Really sick.   I started vomiting. The vomiting turned to shaking convulsions and cold sweats where I could not even stand. I could not lie down. It was like being caught in a mouse trap, with the clamp fixed tight on my belly.  There was no place I could find comfort or relief from this pain. I felt retarded in front of both my friends as I can only imagine what I looked like getting up and down, rocking, puking and moaning…(dramatic?)  The doctors ordered an NG tube down my nose into my stomach which would drain excess bile and stomach fluid to stop the upset stomach. This process included having a half inch tube snaked down my throat (while I am already violently sick) through a hand full of lidocaine jelly pre-inserted into my nasal cavity. (So basically pure Disney fun.)  IV pushes of Morphine, Toradol, zofran….nothing could keep up with the pain.

       In the morning, after no real sleep, I awoke to at least a bearable sense of calm functionality. A team of doctors came in for their morning rounds…..they looked at me…I felt ok……they believed that additional fluids and a few days may do the trick and I would get better. They and I were wrong. Within ten minutes of everyone walking out of the room I was sidelined again with an even higher level extreme pain. This time I decided it was appropriate to scream and snort. That’s all I could do to remain sane. My friend Leah and roommate Kat arrived to find me in a much deteriorated state and tried to do what they could….held my hand, placed damp washcloths over my face, foot rubs (yes, they are that cool)…yet nothing was helping.  I waited for what seemed like an eternity for stronger medicine. Finally a nurse came in with one shot of Dilaudid  ( a powerful opiate drug), then two, then three….. at it’s best…… only calming me for 15 minutes.

       As I waited for my body to simply right itself, a surgeon walked into my room. His words: “Frederick, you should not be in this much pain for a simple twist of the intestine, we are taking you to the O.R. we are going to open you up and do an exploratory surgery so we can find the blockage, take it out and get this pain level down.  I also must tell you the risks with this type of surgery; we may take out a little, we may take out A LOT….but we need to do what we have to, to fix this situation. There is a risk of bleeding, infection, and you may wake up with a temporary colostomy bag   (great for dance calls)….please sign here.” I waited two beats and signed….scary as it was I was in too much pain to do anything else. I also knew if my intestine ruptured I would be in much bigger trouble than what I was presently faced with.

       Summing it all up: The surgery could not have gone better. I had a band of scar tissue from my prior surgery which had cut off all blood flow to the lower intestine. The amazing DR. Simone went in with a camera…saw the problem…reopened an old incision on my stomach and took out a foot of dead intestine…..sewed it back up (well stapled) and placed me on the road to recovery. How did I know she was amazing? On our meeting in pre-op I asked her to rate herself out of 100. She said 120. I was sold.

      

       Fun Facts from the doctor: You never would have had 5 years of good health without the diet and lifestyle you live.  This could have been worse and you could have had much more scar tissue developed than you do. J

       I had for the second time in my life the amazing support of the theater community and friends. I had true friends waiting for me when I awoke from the O.R.  I had both parents drive from their perspective homes to be by my side at the end of my surgery. I had my mom sleeping beside me as my advocate for better care and own personal nurse. I had some of the very best people in the world visit me while I looked like death…way up on 168^th street. I had made a majority of these decisions for myself, concerning health care, on my own. And all this, even though dealing with sickness, felt very empowering.

       In conclusion: It’s always funny to me how people will write and say, “Oh, I’m so sorry”…or “I wish this hadn’t happened to you.”    I view this health issue as any other growing experience and would not trade it for the world. I know this will unfold as nothing less than a gift.   This happened “FOR” me not “TO” me.  And for anyone to deny me that growth is a disservice.  The universe…(lol deep) is unfolding exactly as it should and while I don’t have a why for you at this moment, I know I will in the coming months and years…exactly as I did with my experience with cancer.  I learned a great deal about myself. I learned another level of pain I could endure. I learned again the value of good family and friends. And in the coming months I will learn the value of patience and what it means to GO slow.

                             ( Day Two out of the Hospital....17 staples......what i like to call a cat scratch )

       

To all those who called, facebooked, stopped by, and sent me good vibes and said prayers over the past week.  Thank you.  I am here for a reason, I think that is clear. Thank you for your love. Life is short. Make a choice and be bold. 


 Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

-Herbert Spencer

Warrior Dish of the Week

Atlantic Cod with Green Garden Mix 

Interesting in fueling like a Warrior?  Well you my friend....are in luck because over the next few months I'll be posting dishes I've created that are nutritionally balanced, environmentally responsible and fit to fuel a Greek god. 

Ingredients: 

                  2 large stalks of organic Kale- about 1.5 cups chopped

                  6 wild mushrooms

                  1/2 cup of Diced green bell pepper         

                  2 Scallions /diced

                  1 pinch of sea salt

                  1 slice  orange

                  1 Fillet of Atlantic Pole Cod

                  Ground Cayenne Pepper
                  Organic mustard

Cooking directions:

Include all ingredients in a covered pan with 3/4 cup of water in the bottom of the pan. Turn Burner on medium heat and steam until veggies are warm and kale appears deeper green. No more than 5 minutes...probably more like 4 depending on how hot your stove top cooks. (*Note to Chef) The goal in heating the veggies is preparation for digestion, they should not be soft, burnt, or flaccid....ha..I said flaccid. This portion of the dish should be extremely crunchy and full of texture, overheating leeches out an excessive amount of vitamins and minerals.  In fact it's rare that I eat at a restaurant that can grasp this. Hence my addiction to cooking my own food (whenever possible). On the flip side..eating this dish raw would not yield the best digestion either. Let's find a happy medium.

* flavoring option: Two heaping tablespoons of organic mustard an sea salt (1 pinch)Also a big table spoon f oil oil may be added but only after ingredients are removed from stove top.

                  Step 2. 

    Pre-Heat your Over to 340 deg Cook for 15-17 minutes or until flaky. 

    Place your Fillet on a cooking sheet and dress in the following way.:
Heavy Cayenne pepper, pinch of  sea salt and a tea spoon of coconut oil to prevent sticking. 

 Coconut oil/:why we like it? ....it withstands high heat unlike olive oil it's slower-uglier-red-headed step child cousin:

In principle, organic, unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil should have the lowest smoke point of all forms of olive oil since this form of the oil is the least refined, most nutrient dense and contains the largest concentration of fragile nutritive components. Oxidation of nourishing substances found in extra virgin olive oil, as well as acrylamide formation, can occur at cooking temperatures very closer to the 300°F/148°C range. For these reasons, I don't recommend cooking with extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes it's all you have but in general I like coconut or sunflower both with smoke points over 425 

Cayenne Pepper: why we like it? The main active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. It is said to be a "thermogenic chemical" which will help speed your metabolism and decrease your appetite. It's actually a wonderful herb. It not only can promote weight loss, but it does many other wonderful things such as: increase blood flow, maintains healthy blood pressure, increase your sex drive, may help reduce ulcers and promotes a healthy digestive system

Atlantic Cod: Why we like it? Besides being an excellent low-calorie source of protein (a four-ounce serving of cod provides 52.1% of the daily need for protein for only 119 calories), cod contains a variety of very important nutrients and has also been shown to be useful in a number of different health conditions.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Fish, particularly cold water fish like cod, have been shown to be very beneficial for people with atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Studies show that people who eat fish regularly have a much lower risk of heart disease and heart attack than people who don't consume fish. Cod, specifically, promotes cardiovascular health because it is a good source of blood-thinning omega-3 fatty acids, but is also a good source ofvitamin B12 and a very good source of vitamin B6. Snap. 

So enough data......wait one more chart on the kale to shows it's glowing 4 star rating and Why we like it!  Are you serious on that vitamin A content?!!! enough said( in addition notice  the 2 grams of protein)

Now that we've discussed the inner workings of our foods chemical makeup let's look at the finished product:

 

Alright that's it everyone, your mission if you choose to accept it: Make your own, take pictures and report  back! Feel free to post your own version, modifications and photos under the comment section. 

As always feel free to click on the donation tab to keep this blog running and sending out information to the masses! be well, eat well, live well.!

                    

Cleansing : Cornered and Questioned.

         As of late... I’ve had a myriad of questions that have addressed the topic of Cleansing. I know if you are walking around with a respectable pulse you’ve heard of one or all of the following. The master cleanse, the juice cleanse, the 7 day detox, the 14 day cleanse, Apple Cider vinegar and lemmon water diet, fruit juice cleanse, and a slew of others that have crept their way into the fitness magazines, infomercials, or your local yoga studio (so sad). Well before you reach for that liquid diet or 1/5 serving of calories to maintain your current muscle mass…let’s talk.

This one is going to be short because it pretty cut and dry. Cleansing crash regiments…. you don’t need it.

The end.

Ohh…you’d like me to justify my point? OK, here it goes.

Your body is built to cleanse. That’s what is does naturally…it’s not something you can jumpstart, cheat and skirt around in a 14 day plan.  What goes in must eventually come out, and so goes the vicious cycle. Altering what you eat is a great idea….but focus on whole foods consisting of dark leafy greens, colorful veggies some fruit, some nuts and organic proteins raised in sensible/ friendly manner.( your cow or chicken should be able to roam in the field, feed on clean grass and lay down in something other than his own feces) And make this choice for life, not a two week period that satisfies your short term goal of fitting into those Jordash tapered white wash jeans …GOD that’s a hot visual. 

Instead shoot for an eating regime that puts you in a place to high kick without sticking…yes, this is a real add.      

                                                  

Did I just date myself? Yes, yes I did. But…I digress….

Whole food, healthy portions, and lots of water will do a great job of fueling your body and trust me baby…you were born this way…you will rebalance and cleanse very well.  Your body will rebalance itself/ unless you have a major digestive issue: IBS, Crones, Leaky gut, food allergies or lower G.I. issues. If this is the case seek out a naturopathic doctor to evaluate your issues and set you up with a program for rebalancing.

         We probably all have toxins accumulated in our system. And what is the best way to deal with them? I believe undertaking several long-term measures are a better approach than drastic short-term steps (although perhaps a minority of those trying a drastic diet may notice some benefits such as mental clarity or a sense of wellbeing, others may get worse). Probably because you stopped eating the shit you normally do and not because of strict regimen of lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, etc, etc. The body does not like going off balance too much and for too long. Our body tries to maintain homeostasis, a balanced state where everything is functioning properly. Fasting, or these drastic detox regimens alter this homeostasis, often in a harmful way. Liver glycogen stores are depleted, alterations occur in the mineral and electrolyte balance in the blood, muscle and bone tissue start breaking down (reduced metabolic rate), changes occur in the acid base balance, alterations occur in the fatty acid composition of cells, and immune function may be impaired.

         Let me explain it in another way.  If we try to live with honesty, treat yourself and others with respect, and not lie or steal…. a cleanse: is in direct violation of these principles.  You are stealing and robbing your body of the nutrients it deserves.  You are lying to yourself because you will never be able to maintain this standard you are setting for yourself for an extended period of time.  You are tricking your body (master cleanse/simple sugars) into an altered state of stress and manipulating your body’s natural talents to survive and burn fat, in a quest for vanity.  And trust me when your body finds out…i.e. after the fast is over.... it will NOT BE HAPPY. Just substitute “cleanse” for “masturbate” in the following picture and you get the idea…woooooww. 

     The weight / clarity/ clean feeling will not last and you will end up in a deeper hole than when you started. With fitness and nutrition there are no short cuts as with life. Trust me the easy button just doesn’t feel that good unless you climb up a mountain to push it.

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Please feel no obligation to click the donation button at the top of the page.  Know that when donating, 10% of your gift is going towards Sloan Kettering Medical Center for cancer research and the rest is driving this author towards publishing a cook book, an educated research article per week and health receipts with detailed instructions. Send around the love and dig deep for the cause. 

Disclaimer *Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

            If I told you bird back fat could help give you younger-looking skin, lower your cholesterol, and minimize joint pain, would you believe me?  No?  It’s fine.  I don’t think I would believe that nonsensical jibber-jabber either.  UNLESS I TRIED IT . . . AND IT WORKED.  IN YOUR F??##%$$&&&ING FACE!  Sorry.  My inner caveman needed to yell and do a happy dance over my own personal experience with EMU OIL.  Like I always say, I would not recommend something unless I had tried, tested, and treated myself with said product and let me say, I feel great.  And as for my skin, well just yesterday a girl in J. C. Penny told me I had the skin of Justin Bieber.   Winning!  In addition to physical well-being, by the end of this one you will have learned something about birds, Australia, and Omega 3, 6 and 9's.  Should I give you another reason to keep reading?  Ok . . . you just checked your Facebook 30 seconds ago and no one has commented on anything.  Moving right along.

           

                   In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.  

Resembling an ostrich of sorts, this foul stands 5 to 6 feet tall.  It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years, roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter . . . and a life free from arthritis?  Quite possible.  In fact, one useful survival tool given to the emu to flourish under extreme temperatures and direct sunlight is a very thick layer of subcantancerous back fat!  Until the late 1990s, emu oil had been quietly used for more than 1,000 years by the Australian Aborigines in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and skin irritation. Modern scientists and doctors became curious when they realized that painful arthritis was largely absent in many Aboriginal tribes, while at the same time an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans are daily arthritis sufferers. This major clue led the way to the first major clinical study of the “wonder oil”, (as it is referred to today) led by a Dr. Peter Gosh. His conclusion was summed up in the paper, The Anti- Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil, which demonstrated that emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients and that people can get real results from this ancient remedy. His specific results were charted as follows:

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1  Day 4  Day 7  Day 11  Day 14

1% 30% 50% 82% 100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1  Day 6  Day 12  Day 17

1% 22% 48% 100%

I have to say that personally, I experienced very much the same results over a 2 to 3 week period. Overuse and rehearsing for two shows at the same time had left me with some mild patellar tendonitis and a sore wrist. I used 2/3 drops of emu oil 3X a day and after about a week, I started to notice a real difference. Minimal swelling remained and I noticed that pain had diminished in the area previously under stress.  In about three weeks my knee and wrist felt better than they had in a long time. These results drove me to look even deeper into the why’s and how’s of emu oil.

Does everyone remember my blog about fish oil? OK, it was a while back (January of 2010).  You could go back and read it again . . . But, I digress.  Essentially, we are looking at a very similar product here. An oil packed with Omega 3’s. And what do Omega 3’s do?  Well, to quote myself, “Omega fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil.  Go!   

           

On a scientific level, emu oil contains a wonderful balance of 3, 6, and 9 Omega fatty acids. The oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids (these lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation), the largest component being oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid).

Does this sound like a lot of crap, percentages, and numbers? I feel you, but let me sum up what I see.  I see a high percentage of oleic acid. Still doesn’t ring bells for you?  And why should it?  You probably spend your time enjoying life as opposed to sticking your face in science textbooks.  That’s why you have me. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is a known enhancer for transport of bioactive compounds into the skin, thus rendering the fatty acid compositions in emu oil extremely penetrating or . . . big word . . . ”transdermal”. This stuff is literally spot treatment Omegas for the areas that need help in your body! It was designed perfectly by nature to deliver spot treatment - natural Advil-esk aid to your aching body! Hurray!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short:  emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Let me end with a word of caution: Not all oils are created equal! As great a natural health wonder as emu oil is, it is a wonder why so many companies muck up their formulas with dangerous additives. Emu oil products have been found to include parafen preservatives, and related dyes have been added as preservatives and color enhancers. So, do your research and buy organic.  As always I know a few companies which are reputable. However, be your own advocate for health.


Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

            If I told you bird back fat could help give you younger-looking skin, lower your cholesterol, and minimize joint pain, would you believe me?  No?  It’s fine.  I don’t think I would believe that nonsensical jibber-jabber either.  UNLESS I TRIED IT . . . AND IT WORKED.  IN YOUR F??##%$$&&&ING FACE!  Sorry.  My inner caveman needed to yell and do a happy dance over my own personal experience with EMU OIL.  Like I always say, I would not recommend something unless I had tried, tested, and treated myself with said product and let me say, I feel great.  And as for my skin, well just yesterday a girl in J. C. Penny told me I had the skin of Justin Bieber.   Winning!  In addition to physical well-being, by the end of this one you will have learned something about birds, Australia, and Omega 3, 6 and 9's.  Should I give you another reason to keep reading?  Ok . . . you just checked your Facebook 30 seconds ago and no one has commented on anything.  Moving right along.

           

                   In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.  

Resembling an ostrich of sorts, this foul stands 5 to 6 feet tall.  It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years, roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter . . . and a life free from arthritis?  Quite possible.  In fact, one useful survival tool given to the emu to flourish under extreme temperatures and direct sunlight is a very thick layer of subcantancerous back fat!  Until the late 1990s, emu oil had been quietly used for more than 1,000 years by the Australian Aborigines in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and skin irritation. Modern scientists and doctors became curious when they realized that painful arthritis was largely absent in many Aboriginal tribes, while at the same time an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans are daily arthritis sufferers. This major clue led the way to the first major clinical study of the “wonder oil”, (as it is referred to today) led by a Dr. Peter Gosh. His conclusion was summed up in the paper, The Anti- Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil, which demonstrated that emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients and that people can get real results from this ancient remedy. His specific results were charted as follows:

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1  Day 4  Day 7  Day 11  Day 14

1% 30% 50% 82% 100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1  Day 6  Day 12  Day 17

1% 22% 48% 100%

I have to say that personally, I experienced very much the same results over a 2 to 3 week period. Overuse and rehearsing for two shows at the same time had left me with some mild patellar tendonitis and a sore wrist. I used 2/3 drops of emu oil 3X a day and after about a week, I started to notice a real difference. Minimal swelling remained and I noticed that pain had diminished in the area previously under stress.  In about three weeks my knee and wrist felt better than they had in a long time. These results drove me to look even deeper into the why’s and how’s of emu oil.

Does everyone remember my blog about fish oil? OK, it was a while back (January of 2010).  You could go back and read it again . . . But, I digress.  Essentially, we are looking at a very similar product here. An oil packed with Omega 3’s. And what do Omega 3’s do?  Well, to quote myself, “Omega fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil.  Go!   

           

On a scientific level, emu oil contains a wonderful balance of 3, 6, and 9 Omega fatty acids. The oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids (these lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation), the largest component being oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid).

Does this sound like a lot of crap, percentages, and numbers? I feel you, but let me sum up what I see.  I see a high percentage of oleic acid. Still doesn’t ring bells for you?  And why should it?  You probably spend your time enjoying life as opposed to sticking your face in science textbooks.  That’s why you have me. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is a known enhancer for transport of bioactive compounds into the skin, thus rendering the fatty acid compositions in emu oil extremely penetrating or . . . big word . . . ”transdermal”. This stuff is literally spot treatment Omegas for the areas that need help in your body! It was designed perfectly by nature to deliver spot treatment - natural Advil-esk aid to your aching body! Hurray!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short:  emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Let me end with a word of caution: Not all oils are created equal! As great a natural health wonder as emu oil is, it is a wonder why so many companies muck up their formulas with dangerous additives. Emu oil products have been found to include parafen preservatives, and related dyes have been added as preservatives and color enhancers. So, do your research and buy organic.  As always I know a few companies which are reputable. However, be your own advocate for health.


Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Growing your heart 10x in one act

       This story is brought to you by the quest for the perfect boot. Did you say perfect butt…as in ass? NO, I mean boot like shoe…like these boots were made for walking. This quest led me to a man named Murray, which then led to a bookstore, and then back to Murray. Then it led me to a computer and will hopefully lead you back to Murray. (Confusing I know…but please try and follow.) As New Yorkers know . . . and we do know everything . . . there is that one perfect pair of shoes you can wear with anything. Even more specifically, there is the New York actor: one who needs an even more specific shoe they can wear with everything, AND travel around the country having it serve as a viable piece of footwear in all climates. This was me. Now that I am embarking on extended employment throughout the country I felt it time to find one boot to suit all occasions: opening nights, traveling, outings, bus trips, outdoor excursions and midget partnering Yoga (huge in Oregon). So . . . you may be reading and wondering how my usual twist on a healthy supplement or natural physical improvement comes into this article. Trust me, it will be there. 

         So where does one search for boots in the city?  Shh . . . I’m going to tell you.   Take the yellow train with an N on it to 8^th street.  From there you walk west on 8^th and after about 4 blocks you will be in the heart of about 5 boot shops, all alike in stature and décor, most of them having opened up in the early seventies and eighties and carrying thousands of shoes. Many so old they were born from a discontinued model and have only one size . . . but if you’re that lucky Cinderella who’s little pig hoof fits, you’ve got yourself a vintage treasure. Oink.

        Moving along . . . So, I found a great pair of a Harley Davidson Roadster motorcycle boots.  They had a flat black finish, great price, decent fit (ish), and in the pressure of the moment I bought the cool, affordable, not-so-great-fitting-boot and went on my merry way. Fast forward two Avenues and 15 city blocks later and I had problems.  The boots I “NEEDED” to wear out of the store were doing some serious damage to my hooves.  My heels hurt, my big toe was thrust over the 2^nd biggest toe, my arches were throbbing, and it was a general  mess. Actually, on the subway my bunion said, out loud no less (in a NYC wise guy accent), “Hey, hey!  Are you fucking kidding me with this situation down here?  I just met the pinky toe and we are opposite sides of the foot-hemisphere!”  Needless to say . . . that was an awkward moment for everyone.  Stupid talking bunion.  Dumb Boots.

         At this point I knew there was only one thing to do: go back.  Go back with my shoppers pride dragging on the floor and ask for a refund.  I also realized the odds of this, having worn the shoes into the street: not good. (Somewhere in this story I found better boots, while trying to help a friend shop for herself . . . this is the way shoe karma goes . . . you always find great stuff when looking for someone else).  So I made my way back down to 8^th street and Stylish Shoe (singular…not plural) to make my plight. My first obstacle was a Portugese woman at the desk with a limited English vocabulary and the look of death.  As I walked back into Stylish Shoe with my boots in a plastic bag, she already knew what I wanted.  I simply got the shake of a head and the sentence, “We no taking boots back from customer.  Store Credit for you!”  Then she called over the owner . . . Murray.  Murray looked as though he had seen better days and approached my front counter with a pace that would rival a turtle.  He again opened with a quote of store policy and asked me if I could find something else I wanted to exchange the boots for.  In my retort I explained I had gotten a new pair already, I lived on tour, and had no room to travel extra shoes, I also offered to pay a 20 $ restocking fee if he would return the shoes… as I didn’t want to have boots I couldn’t wear and hated the idea of them going to waste in my trunk.  He took a moment, paused and smiled.  In a jewish east village accent, he said, “I always like to work with the customer.  And for you, today, we are returning the shoe.  Come, let’s get you a refund.” I was happy, to say the least.  And then I noticed something.

         As Murray struggled to fill out paper work…. his right hand was trembling so bad he could not write with a pen. His assistant took over and began the task.  In this awkward moment I bluntly asked (like I do), “What’s going on with the hand?”.  “Parkinsons”, he replied.  At this moment some would have said, ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘That’s terrible’.  I did not.  I feel anyone who is struggling . . . no, living . . . with any disease wants least of all, pity.  I mean, we all have our cross to bear and this was Murray’s, but my sappy condolence would do anything BUT lighten the load.  So I didn’t skip a beat.  I proceeded to converse and ask how far along he was, daily medication list, and how he was dealing with day-to-day life.  ( As many know I consider myself an unofficial expert on all things medical.)  He then pulled back his flannel shirt to reveal a large box hung from his shoulder, wires ran into his stomach from a the machine which beeped and blinked like an electric lunch box. He spoke with the simplest matter-of-fact tone, “What’s been hard lately is the stomach cancer, for which I’m being infused daily with chemo.  But this little device lets me continue to run the boot shop during the day.”  I was floored.  “Jesus,” I said, as if to call someone down here right now and give this guy a hand. This moment got me.  I had nothing. The only place my mind could go was to what it must have been like for him to be there selling boots on that day . . . or dealing with fickle customers who couldn’t make up their minds (cough).  He proceeded to tell me that he had no family left, only a passing friend to help him get through really bad days and that the store was his last hurrah. Being a retired accountant, he spoke of how he had always dreamed of owning a nice shoe store. 

         After a long pause I jumped in.  “Well, Murray, I know this is a tough time, but can I ask how you are fueling your body while in this process of extreme stress and large doses of medication?” “McDonalds.  I do love cheese and coffee, lots of takeout . . . Things that are easy”, he replied.   Without another breath I knew why I was there.  I jumped in with the benefits of a healthy diet, book recommendations, and talked about my experience as a cancer survivor. I explained how he could gain energy and put himself in a position to better deal with chemo through better nutrition. I told him that of course I’m not a doctor, but I believe this with my whole heart:  That what you put in reflects the energy yield in your body’s systems. And right now, Murray, you need everything you can get.  He attempted to scribble down what I had said down on the back of a receipt, the chicken scratches on the back of the paper hurt my heart.  He then asked if candy and sweets were good before bed.  Hmm . . . frustrated, I felt like I had just given an iPad demo to my grandpa and then he tried use it as a cutting board.   I knew he needed more time, help, and info.  I collected myself, said my goodbyes, and wished him the best. As I left he said, “You know, I really want to know more about this good food stuff, and I want to eat better. I just don’t know how.” I smiled and just said, “Be strong, my friend.” 

         The second I left the store my heart started to race, I ran to the clerk at Barnes and Noble and asked for Chris Carr’s Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips.  A paint by numbers guild to fool-proof cancer treatment nutrition. This book, one of my faves, outlines every guideline I believe in when it comes to what to and what NOT to eat.  It’s a great read for anyone looking to change up the standard American diet and takes into account everything a person needed to heal: mind, body and spirit. It uses bold print and pictures and most chapters are not more than a dozen pages long, yet to my dismay, the book was out! Crap. The manager then asked me to hold on a second and noticed she had seen a box at the top of the stairs of new books and I quote, “We get orders in all the time, you never know what’s going to be in there.” So, as you may have guessed, they opened the box and what was the first book?  Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips. Cha-ching!

         I wrote a small note inside the front cover and headed back to Stylish Shoe (singular).  I found Murray hard at work with a few customers and waited patiently by the door.  As he did before, he slowly made his way over to me with a look of confusion.  “Did you forget something?” he asked.  “No Sir, I bought you this book and I want you to promise me you will read it. I’ve given you a business card so anytime you have any questions please call me.” Murray tried to talk but nothing came out. All he could do was stumble to the register, eyes full of tears and pull out money to give to me. “Here.  Here, I will pay you . . . let me give you something?!” “No.  I am giving you a gift and I am wishing you strength. I will check back in a few months . . . be well.”  As I started out the door, (now I’m crying and are the other sales people as well as the two patrons in the store) he raised his hand and shouted “ God bless . . . God bless you.”  And that was it.  That was my life changing experience.

          As I walked down the street my head was spinning.  I could only hope Murray would find a support system and come through his struggle the better for it.  I thought about my experience, how lucky I was to have such a great family and caring friends who took care of me when I was sick. And then it hit me . . . I had this epiphany. Life is very short. Ten thousand years human beings have risen and fallen and the things in life that seem so important mean nothing at all. Your job, your house, your credit cards, the role you want in a show so badly, that audition (I’m clearly narrating for an actor), anything material.  These things which consume us will not with stand the test of time. So, what will?  Kindness. Kindness towards your fellow man or woman could send unknown waves of positive energy through generations.  Imagine if we all woke up tomorrow and found a stranger, someone you owe nothing to. You find this stranger and you connect.  You offer your ear, your time, a smile . . . maybe a cup of coffee.  Who knows?  And it doesn’t have to be a stranger, it could be your friend . . . no one if off limits!

         So, relating this to my health blog, do you remember in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the part when he gives the presents back to the Whos in Whoville? Remember when his heart swelled and grew ten times?! Yeah . . . that just happened to me. So I can assure you it will be good for you and your heart! And acts of kindness are free.  So get going! Unless you buy them a book….but it’s still not expensive. That book was one cocktail at the bar, so don’t say you can’t afford to treat someone…it’s just a choice what we spend our money on.

        Also, I’m gonna put the address for Stylish Shoe up here and if anyone feels like and is in the area…possibly shopping for boots….stop by and give Murray a hug, or shop at his store or send him a smile! He could really use it!

                                                      Stylish Shoe 

                                 All Season Boots

                                      "The Best Of The West"

                                              212-533-5909

                                   19 west 8th street NYC 10011

                                           bet. 5th and 6th Ave.