Taste Genes: Broccoli and Chocolate

Appetite and Leptin Gene

The Fat-Building Gene

Fat-Burning: Turning Flame Higher

How Genes Influence Your Exercise

Children and Fat Genes

Food Choices for Optimal Weight Control

Dr. Barnard writes, "Contrary to popular opinion, scientific research reveals that genes are not dictators; they are committees. They do not give orders. They make suggestions. Genes are not rogue tyrants exerting despotic control over your waistline. Rather, they work in groups, often with subtle effects, and you can nudge them in direction you want them to go. You can counteract fat genes and boost your thin genes."

In ancient times, Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Of course we aren't really talking about healing as much as we are discussing losing weight, but principle applies.

One thing I learned from another of Dr. Barnard's books is that carbohydrates don't make people fat. It is fat that makes people fat. And it makes sense. Carbohydrates pack around 4 calories per gram and fats have about 9 calories per gram.

By way, even though it is correct terminology, fact is that calories discussed here are actually 'thousands of calories'. In nutrition they decided to make a calorie equal to 1,000 real life calories as measured for energy.

Anyway I don't want to confuse anyone, because RDA is based on nutrition calories, also known as Calories, but no one capitalizes C as should be done. You can just keep thinking of calories as calories and don't worry about technicalities.

Back to story. Dr. Barnard's books on high carb diets are great reading and may inform you about healthier weight loss than you are currently use to. Did I mention recipe list?

This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition. If you have or think you have a health condition or even just want to diet, please consult your physician.

Where did it come from? Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician who earned his doctorate of medicine degree in 1779 is recognized as founder of homeopathy. Through experiments on himself, and later with his patients, he developed a system of rules and laws of medicine that he codified into a treatise called “Organon of rational therapeutics”, first published in 1810. The sixth edition, published in 1921, is still used today as a basic homeopathy text. It was brought to US in 1825 by several doctors who had studied in Europe. Although at one time there were 22 homeopathic medical colleges in US, and one out of five doctors used homeopathy, by 1940’s there were no homeopathic schools in US.

Do your homework! Naturopathic physicians are licensed as healthcare providers in 13 states with legal provisions allowing practice of naturopathic medicine in several other states. To qualify for a license, applicant must pass licensing exam and satisfy all licensing requirements, such as have attended a resident course of 4 years and 4,100 hours of study from a college or university recognized by state examining board. There are special certifications for various healthcare professionals. For MD’s and DO’s, there is Diplomat in Homeotherapeutics (DHt). For ND’s, certification is DHANP (Diplomat of Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians), and for homeopaths of all professions, there is CCH (Certified in Classical Homeopathy). What is important to know is that in states without licensure requirements for homeopathy, anyone can claim to be practicing ‘homeopathic medicine’.

Homeopathic medicine could be a great alternative to traditional medicine. It’s important to look into background and training of anyone practicing homeopathic medicine, however, as many people promote themselves as an expert without proper education. The National Center for Homoeopathy (http:///www.homeopathy.org) serves as a resource and training center for practice of homeopathy. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (http://www.naturopathic.org) provides information on licensing and education requirements for those promoting themselves as a doctor of naturopathy. For a good overview of art and science of homeopathy and its basic tenets, suggested reading is The Emerging Science of Homeopathy: Complexity, Biodynamics and Nanopharmacology, 2nd edition, by Bellavite P. Signorini.