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Back To School 2020

We are all preparing for our families to go back to school this month. Some are staying in for ‘at home learning’ and some will be going back into classrooms. This year let’s stay on top of your family’s health. There are some simple things to add to your routine that can keep you healthy during this cold and flu season.

1. Get to bed earlier. I understand it is difficult to get kids to sleep with the sun still up but adequate sleep is essential for our immune systems. Under quarantine many people fell out of their natural sleep rhythms and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning. Getting out of your healthy circadian rhythm is hard on your hormonal system and immune system. Try to get to bed earlier as we head into the fall.

2. Cook at home and make it fresh. It’s harvest time at local farms in your area and there is no better time to eliminate processed foods from your diet. Prepping on the weekend for a busy week can make a big difference in the meals you can provide. Make sure kids are getting enough protein at breakfast and lunch to focus on school. Save the higher carbs for snacks and dessert.

3. Get sunlight each day. Your melatonin and vitamin D levels will improve with some time each morning in natural sunlight.

4. Invest in blue light blocking glasses for online zoom calls or google classroom. Even if your children are attending school most kids spend hours on screens each day. We have partnered with BluBlox blue blocking glasses. You are welcome to use code PRATT15 for a 15% discount on your order. BluBlox glasses cut down on headaches, eye strain, and fatigue when you or your family are stuck on a screens during the school/workday.

5. I suggest everyone get a vitamin D and vitamin A tested this time of year. I often find that although my patients spend a lot of time in the sun, their vitamin D levels are still not adequate. Many of us need supplemental vitamin D and vitamin A during the winter months and it is important to know what your levels are before cold and flu season. The current virus severity seems associated with vitamin D and glutathione status. Talk to your doctor before you supplement with any nutrient to make sure it is right for you.

6. After you clean up your diet by eating unprocessed fresh food, consider adding high nutrient foods and supplements to help your immune and gastrointestinal systems.

  • SBI Protect (bovine derived immunoglobulins) is a wonderful way to support you against viruses and can help your immune system regulate itself.
  • Eat high zinc foods like pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, legumes, almonds, pine nuts, and dark chocolate. If you have been taking zinc on a regular basis it might be a good time to check that on regular blood work too. Getting too much zinc can deplete you of another essential nutrient called copper.
  • Increase prebiotics in your diet. Prebiotics are foods that feed your good bacteria. Foods that are good for your gut bacteria are: apples, asparagus, banana, dandelion greens, onion, jicama root, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks and garlic. (Careful to eat prebiotics if you have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
  • Consider growing your own broccoli sprouts. These little powerhouses can increase your master antioxidant. Glutathione is essential to your immune and inflammatory response. You can take the supplemental formula of glutathione too.
  • Try to avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol to help your immune system stay strong. You may want to add some liver support with dry skin brushing, castor oil packs or supplements. Ask your doctor what would be right for you.
  • Ask your doctor for a good probiotic. These are the beneficial bacteria that help your immune system.

7. Consider investing in a good air filtration system. I suggest Austin Air Systems. They can remove 95% of microbes (virus, bacteria, and mold) out of your indoor air. Our homes have some of the worst air quality and we want to make sure we are breathing fresh air while we work and attend school. Our office has 12-15% discounts on the Austin Air SystemsPlease reach out to my office to get more information.

8. Stock up on supplements to strengthen your family’s immune systems heading into the school season. My TOP 5 Recommendations for the coming school year: 1) SBI Protect, 2) MegaSporebiotic, 3) Everyday Nutrients, 4) Vitamin D3 (2000 or 5000), and 5) Glutathione (liposomal or caps). Be sure to call our office and ask about our Back to School recommendations.

As we go into the fall, adapting a healthy lifestyle and supporting your immune system is a great commitment to your health and the health of others. Let us know if you need any of the recommended testing, supplements or if you would like to re-evaluate your health program. If you have questions or get sick, I am here to help. Please let us know how to support you.

With Love,

Dr. Shelese Pratt, N.D.

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Feeling Exhausted? FREE Series to Help Restore your Vitality!

Have you been feeling completely fatigued? Absolutely EXHAUSTED?

Lacking the energy to do the things you know you should really be doing? The things you WANT to be doing?

That’s your body saying you should rest… get more sleep… take a few days off. Right? Well…

What if there’s a deeper reason why you feel so exhausted all the time?

The secrets of health in a basic sense are really not secrets – we know to skip the processed foods, drink a ton of water, get good sleep, and exercise.

Yet why is there such a crippling epidemic of exhaustion and fatigue in our society?

We’re tired. We’re low energy. We’re exhausted from days stacked on days spent running around, chasing our kids, going back to school, working full-time, trying to maintain a loving relationship with your partner, keeping up with your friends so you won’t lose your support network when you need it, grocery shopping for nutritious certified organic ingredients that are ethically sourced…

Whew.

Take a breath. How could you not be exhausted?

What causes it? What is going on at the molecular level we’re not even aware of? How do we begin to find out what we don’t know? How do hormones, the microbiome, our diets, our physical activity all affect mitochondrial function in our cells?

I’m excited to share FREE ACCESS with you and your loved ones, to the new 9-part documentary series about Exhaustion that I have been collaborating on!

The series reveals the startling truth about what causes our crippling fatigue and provides actionable insights from myself and over two dozen globally recognized functional medicine and health & wellness experts. Each episode will provide you with highly effective (and safe) approaches to wellness that will help you regain, restore and replenish the “endless energy” you through had been lost forever… and it’s FREE to watch!

Click HERE to watch the trailer and reserve your seat!

The exclusive premier is airing in less than a week, on August 18th at 7pm MST.

In the meantime, I’m happy to share two free e-book resources:

– 8 Ways to Stop Exhaustion Cycle
– 15 Smoothie Recipes for Natural Energy

Be sure to share this premiere and resources with your friends and family. Everyone can benefit from the actionable insights in this documentary series. Whether they’re struggling with exhaustion or simply want to optimize energy, there are life-changing treasures in this series.

If you have any questions about how we can help you improve your energy levels, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

With Love,

Dr. Pratt

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Dr. Pratt’s Air Pollution Recommendations

2020 has brought many twists and turns. With all the changes we have seen, most of us are spending more time in our homes. Some of us have found that our health has diminished with more time at home.

Did you know your home gives you 2-5x more air pollution than outdoor air?

The way homes are built these days they have much tighter seals and pollution is trapped in your home. It is important to find the source of air pollutants in your home and get rid of it with a quality air purifier and lifestyle changes.

The fastest way to consolidate toxins in your body is through breathing in air pollution. Let’s dive in and see what you need to do to keep your home safe for you and your family.

So, what are the common pollutants and how do we achieve clean and healthy air in our homes?

Common pollutants causing poor air quality in your home:

1. Microbial pathogens including Mold/Mildew, Viruses and Bacteria – any natural fibers like particle board, wood, dry wall, and paper are all sources that feed mold. Overtime a small patch of mold can cause major health issues by releasing thousands of mycotoxins that travel all over your home. Mycotoxins, viruses and bacteria can live in your HVAC system and destroy your health one day at a time. Hint: A good air purifier can remove 95% of the virus from the air. These units are invaluable during the cold and flu season and COVID19!

(To learn more about Mold Illness and Mycotoxins, check out our 3 Part Blog Series: Part 1: All About Toxic Mold IllnessPart 2: Mycotoxin Health Effects and How to Test for Mold, & Part 3: Treating Mold Illness.)

2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)– These toxic compounds are a major source of pollution in your home. These are found in your furniture, paint, cleaning supplies, aerosol sprays, dry cleaning, air fresheners, wood treatments, and candles.

3. Dust – House dust is very irritating to your lungs and can accumulate quickly in your home.

4. Allergens – Pet dander, dust mites, and pollen settles in the dust and carpet of your home.

5. Tobacco Vape or Marijuana Smoke– This adds to particulate and air pollution of your homes.

6. Diesel Exhaust – Attached garages introduce diesel and other exhaust fumes into your home polluting the air.

7. Formaldehyde – This chemical is a product of off gassing that can happen with wood products (hardwood plywood, particleboard and fiberboard), building materials and insulation, glues, permanent press fabrics, paints, coatings, lacquers and finishes, paper products, dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners, and fertilizers and pesticides.

8. Flame Retardants – These are found in furniture foams, carpet, curtains, paints, food packaging, home insulation, appliances, toys, electronics, car seats, and many baby products.

9. Radon– Check your levels in your home to insure you have the right amount of ventilation to keep radon at a low level in your home.

10. Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas– Leaks in your furnace, kerosene heaters, wood burning stoves and fireplaces, gas ranges, generators, appliances fueled by gasoline, gas fueled space heaters, cigarette smoke can all create levels of carbon monoxide in your home.

11. Solvents– Home cleaning supplies and detergents are common solvents that are impacting your health.

12. Particulate from fireplaces, wood stoves and outdoor contamination from highways near your home.

13. Herbicides and Pesticides – these are acquired from parks and landscaping and brought into your home on your feet.

When we are exposed to air pollution we have 2 rules:
1. Remove Toxin Exposure
2. Clean the Air

What can you do to prevent air pollution in your home?
1. Use a quality air purifier.
 I recommend an Austin Air Purifier because:
– Their HEPA technology and HEGA carbon cloth offers the highest quality air purifying system to remove and destroy airborne viruses (like the flu & COVID19), particulate, allergens, formaldehyde, VOCs, and other airborne pollution.
– This is an American company that manufactures all machines in the USA.
– These are the machines used by FEMA and American Red Cross for remediation after natural disasters.

*Contact our office for 12-15% off your purchase of an Austin Air Purification System!*

>> Click here to learn more about the systems and access exclusive pricing. <<

2. Take your shoes off when you enter the house. This will limit the amount of herbicides/pesticides and other toxins you track into your home on your shoes.

3. Do not run your vehicles (cars, trucks, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc.) in your garage.

4. Get proper ventilation in your home and above your cooktop.

5. Use low VOC paint.

6. Avoid dry cleaning your clothes.

7. Try to buy solid wood furniture and fixtures.

8. Buy organic furniture and mattresses for your home.

9. Reduce moisture in your home and have all areas of water damage remediated beyond surface appearance.

10. Avoid teflon, plastic and other toxic cook ware in your kitchen.

11. Avoid using oils that burn easily (canola, peanut, sesame, corn, and olive). These oils can create toxic smoke when cooking with them.

12. Have your HVAC system cleaned every 5 years.

13. Use natural cleaning supplies to reduce toxic exposure.

14. Avoid dryer sheets unless they are made of natural products.

15. Avoid synthetic air fresheners and buy products that have natural fragrance.

16. Ventilate your stovetop and keep a close eye on your furnace and gas fireplaces for natural gas leaks.

17. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Having clean air is essential to your health. I am happy to offer you a discount on the highest quality air purification system. Let us know if you would like to order a unit for your home or office to reduce air pollution and lower your viral load exposure. We are here to help and answer any questions you have about how to keep your family healthy and happy.

With Love, The Pratt Clinics

Diets

ADHD/ Autism

Nourishing Hope

Body Ecology

Mayo Clinic: Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Fail Safe Diet

Domestic Diva Unleashed: Failsafe Diet

The RPAH Elimination Diet (Failsafe)

Feingold Diet

Feingold.org

Phenols Salicylates Additives

Food Map for IBS

Stanford Hospital: Low FODMAP Diet-Handout (PDF)

Fodmap Intolerances

FODMAPs_Diet_(Third_Edition) (PDF)

GAPS

Gaps Diet

Differences Between SCD & GAPS

Low Glycemic Index

University of Sydney: GlycemicIndex.com

Eat Good Carbs: About Low GI Carbs

Low Histamine

The Low Histamine Chef

Amines/Salicylates /Phenol

Factsheet #7

Factsheet #8

Tacanow Resources: Phenols, Salicylates, Additives

Paleo

The Paleo Diet

Chris Kresser

The Paleo Mom

Pateomg.com

SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) – Elaine Gottschall

SCD Lifestyle

DigestiveWellness.com

Lucy’s Kitchen Shop

GI Pro Health

JK Gourmet

Digestive Wellness

SCD Bakery

SCD Diet Web Library

Scd * Recipe

PecanBread.com

SCDDatabase.com (link is currently down)

Autoimmune Diet

Dr K News: Autoimmune Diet

Autoimmune-Paleo.com

Candida Diet 

Candidafree.net

SC Diet