Susan's Page

If you didn?€™t know, most pickle makers use a form of aluminum called alum in their processing. The alum is responsible for giving pickles a crisp, crunchy texture.

Although I am not a pickle maker, there are apparently at least two different methods used ?€“ fermented or quick-process. Per the USDA the alum is unnecessary even in the fermented process pickles, which is the type that usually uses it.

If you make your own pickles (does anybody still do this?) the Kansas State University Extension info line recommends a safer method of soaking the cucumbers in ice water for four to five hours prior to pickling them.

For the rest of you pickle eaters a brand that has tested as aluminum-free are Bubbies Pickles. They are not prepared in any sort of aluminum and there is no alum of any form used in the production or processing of any of the ingredients contained within the product. They are naturally fermented in salt water brine using no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Their dill pickles are in the refrigerator section and are sold mostly through health food stores such as Nature?€™s Food Patch, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, etc.

I?€™m not a pickle connoisseur but I do like the taste of their dill pickles and my seven year old daughter likes them in her school lunches. They are the only ones that I recommend at this time. Enjoy!

Love,
Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 04:46 PM | Permalink

If you?€™ve ever had the experience of using Burt?€™s Bee?€™s Beeswax Lip Balm on irritated/ slightly broken skin you know that it can be screamingly painful (especially to young children). The peppermint oil in it can be very irritating.

The good news is that I saw recently at our local health food store that the same company makes Burt?€™s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm. It doesn?€™t contain the peppermint oil and goes on real S-M-O-O-T-H. Even lips and noses that are seeing a lot of Kleenex action ?€“ whether from detox, allergies, or a cold - are happy with this one.

The stick is a pink color, but don?€™t freak out if you?€™re a guy. It basically goes on as lip-colored with no excess lipstick look. There is also a slight fruity smell which goes away fairly quickly.

It contains no toxic metals and has tested as non-toxic on patients in my office. Enjoy!

Love,

Susan

P.S. If you are NEEDING lip balm due to chapped lips, remember to drink more water. See a recent health tip about this on my blog.

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 02:25 PM | Permalink

During extremes in the weather is when it is most important to know the basics your body needs and to then provide them.

For some people, taking salt and potassium helps them deal with our summer weather. One situation that I?€™ve seen a lot is that someone?€™s body needs sodium but of a different source than salt tablets. Goat whey is an excellent source of sodium and potassium and is frequently easier to tolerate than salt tablets. We have it available at my office.

For other people the main thing is to drink plenty of good spring water and then everything is hunky-dory. For others, the successful action is to take something called cell salts, which we frequently have in stock. They are also available at several vitamin stores.

Love,
Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 06:08 PM | Permalink

I would estimate that over 90% of my new patients have aluminum toxicity contributing to their long-term health problem. Even with my patients that are normally extraordinarily compliant with my recommendations, if their armpits smell, out comes the old standby aluminum containing deodorant.

I have found that many deodorant products, including the magic crystals, even when labeled ?€?no aluminum?€™ still test positive as having aluminum in them! This is because the manufacturers put a aluminum byproduct in the deodorant.

One suggestion is to apply silver water (colloidal silver) to the armpits after showering. As one of silver water?€™s properties is antibacterial and armpit odor is caused by bacteria, this makes sense.

Another suggestion is a very good deodorant product we have in stock called Alvera. Alvera tests aluminum-free and quite a few of my patients use this product with great success (meaning: no stinky pits)!

Love,

Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 02:56 PM | Permalink

If you drink soy milk or eat unfermented soy products it would be best to bring them in for me to test you. Although in recent years there has been a lot of promotion regarding the supposed benefits of soy, the truth for most so products is usually opposite.

Note: Fermented soy such as miso & tempeh are usually fine.

One of the biggest concerns is that for most people (if not all) the unfermented soy products interfere with the body?€™s calcium metabolism. This can result in bone fractures, osteoporosis and lost teeth due to bone loss.

There are multiple internet sites that discuss the pros and cons of soy but while others are duking it out and deciding officially what is ?€?true?€?, I can test you and your products to see how your body is responding.

Love,

Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 04:33 PM | Permalink