This is the follow up email written after the Free 15 Minute Phone Consult regarding: There are many years that I have taken Prilosec or the genericOmeprazole 40mg. I have a lump in my throat that goes away when taking these medications but I do not want to take them anymore.

Listen to the Phone Consult Podcast:
"Long Term Use of Prescription Medications for Acid Reflux"

My follow up email to Marie Louise after the Phone Consult:

Marie Louise - 

I understand you are looking for alternatives to taking over the counter acid reflux medications. There are plenty of options.

As discussed, I recommend healing your stomach first and then using Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with the juice of a lemon slice in a glass of water. Sip before meals.

Here are the suggested steps to take to heal acid reflux:

Step 1: Heal Your Stomach

This is the follow up email written after the Free 15 Minute Phone Consult regarding: What can I do naturally for Grave's Disease? I do not want to radiate my thyroid. I am currently managed with medication.

Listen to the Phone Consult Podcast:
"Alternatives to Radiation for Grave's Disease"

Olga mentioned this about the Phone Consult:
"You seem to be very well versed on the subject of my health concern (Graves Disease) and were able to immediately make recommendations."

My follow up email to Olga after the Phone Consult:

Olga - 

Grave's disease has numerous causes as we discussed. Determining the cause is a lengthy process and I don't feel we isolated it in your case. If we had more time to discover and go over your history, exposures and order various laboratory testing, I believe we could isolate the cause.

I am trying to determine if radiation therapy for your tumor may have caused the Grave's disease.

In the meantime, there are natural alternatives to help reduce the autoimmune response an...

Dr Ben,

Is there anything you can recommend to help treat children when they get an ear infection? Something that would be an alternative to antibiotics?

Thank you.

Hi there!

I cannot offer treatment advice for ear infections as it is dangerous to do so. Ear infections may progress into severe conditions if improperly managed.

What I can do is provide information which may reduce recurring ear infections and provide you with resources, including a naturopathic physician referral database.

Naturopathic physicians successfully and routinely treat ear infections, such as otitis media, without antibiotics. However, if necessary, ND’s will use antibiotics to treat ear infections. It is a case by case basis.

There are loads of options to treat ear infections. Botanicals, homeopathics, nutritional, hydrotherapy and/or cervical adjustments have all been shown to effectively treat ear infections.

The best thing to do is learn what the aggravating factors are in causing ear infections. “An ounce of pre...

Hello Ben,

I have Type 2 diabetes and do not want to use statin drugs. What do you recommend instead?
Marcia

Hi Marcia,

Good to hear from you.

My first question is:
How well controlled is your diabetes?

If well-controlled, your LDL levels should stay at a pretty healthy level.

If not well-controlled, LDL levels rise due to the excess sugars being converted into LDL.

So let me know the answer to that question, and then I can make a more useful recommendation.

I have to try and find the cause of the elevated LDL - not just suggest ways to lower LDL.

Pumping water out of basement with the best pump is not nearly as effective as stopping the incoming water...

[Thanks Ben, It is well-controlled.]

Since the diabetes is well-controlled, working directly with the LDL is what has to happen.

I assume you are eating quite well.

BioLipotrol is a well-researched formula that contains effective ingredients in lowering LDL and helping raise HDL.

Given that BioLipotrol contains natural statins in the form of red ye...

Hi,

I was diagnosed as bi-polar 22 yrs. ago. I am currently on lithium and Wellbutrin.

I would very much like to get off pharmaceuticals, if possible. Do you have any suggestions for something herbal or homeopathic I could take instead. I'm tired of all these side effects.

Would lithium that is sold in health food stores be equivalent to pharmaceutical lithium? Thanks so much for your time and expertise!

Answer:

Peggy -

Bi-Polar is a condition that needs medical supervision.

If you would like to try and get free of the medications, I highly recommend that you find a naturopathic physician in your area.

www.Naturopathic.org

Naturopathic physicians aim to find the underlying cause of medical conditions and often can get patients free of prescriptive drugs.

I have worked with many Bipolar patients and there are some consistent things which, when practiced daily, improve the patient's lifestyle immensely:

- High dose fish oil daily with meals. At least 5 grams a day of fish oil.

- Balanced ...

Huge topic. I can write a book on this but best not yet! Two more years of med school yet and by then I'll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?
According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is "the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gall stones, and present in food, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in plasma complexed to proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries."

What is pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the beginning stage of atherosclerosis which is the building of lipid [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall thereby limiting the flow of blood. Limiting the flow of blood causes turbulence which causes further deposition of plaque. The slowed speed of blood through the arteries helps lay down more plaque as well.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

1. Exercise: damn. H...